Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has urged researchers to translate scientific findings into practical healthcare interventions, stressing that stronger NCD research in Ghana is essential to reducing preventable deaths and improving the country’s healthcare system.
He made the call in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Ministry of Health’s Chief Director, Mr Desmond Boateng, at the opening of the 2nd National NCD Research Conference 2026 in Accra.
“Research must not end in publications; it must translate into practical interventions that improve health outcomes and strengthen our healthcare system.”
Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Health Minister
The two-day conference, held from November 10 to 11, is organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the AYA Integrated Healthcare Initiative under the theme, “Accelerating Ghana’s NCD Research Agenda towards Attaining Primary Healthcare Goals.”
It brings together researchers, academics, health professionals, policymakers and development partners to examine the country’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and identify evidence-based approaches to improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
NCD Research in Ghana Gains Urgency Amid Rising Deaths
Mr Boateng noted that NCDs account for nearly half of all deaths in Ghana, with cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart disease and stroke, contributing significantly to the country’s disease burden.
The World Health Organization’s 2025 Noncommunicable Diseases Progress Monitor estimates that NCDs accounted for 47 per cent of deaths in Ghana in 2021, representing approximately 101,800 deaths.
More recent WHO estimates indicate that NCDs accounted for 49.9 per cent of deaths in 2023, highlighting the continued significance of chronic diseases to national health outcomes. The Minister’s address also drew attention to the increasing impact of cardiovascular conditions on people in their productive years, reinforcing the need for preventive healthcare and early detection.
He urged researchers to generate evidence that would help government assess existing interventions, identify weaknesses in healthcare delivery and guide investments in disease prevention, screening and treatment. The conference is therefore expected to provide a platform for examining how research findings can inform national health policies and improve the delivery of essential services.
Government Links Healthcare Programmes to NCD Prevention
The Health Minister identified the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, as complementary interventions in addressing the growing burden of NCDs.
The Free Primary Healthcare programme, launched in April 2026, is designed to strengthen preventive and basic curative services at the community level through CHPS compounds, health centres and polyclinics. Its services include screening for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, alongside health education and early intervention to reduce the risk of complications.
According to the Ghana Health Service, the programme had expanded to 135 districts across the country by September 2026, with services being delivered through 4,447 health facilities. The NHIS continues to provide coverage for referrals and higher-level healthcare, while the Ghana Medical Trust Fund is intended to provide additional support for patients requiring specialised treatment for chronic and life-threatening conditions.
The Minister urged researchers to examine how these interventions could be strengthened through reliable evidence, effective financing and improved coordination across the healthcare system.
International Partnerships to Strengthen Health Research
Julliette Edzeame, Project Manager of the AYA Integrated Healthcare Initiative, highlighted the importance of international partnerships in strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system. She referenced Ghana’s longstanding cooperation with Germany through the German development agency, GIZ Ghana, particularly in areas including healthcare financing, workforce development and health system strengthening.
The AYA Integrated Healthcare Initiative is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, with a focus on strengthening NCD prevention, diagnosis and care.
The partnership reflects the importance of combining local research capacity with international technical expertise and development support to address complex public health challenges. The conference provides an opportunity for stakeholders to share research findings, examine successful interventions and identify areas requiring further investment.
Conference Opens International Research Opportunities
Beyond policy discussions, the 2026 National NCD Research Conference is offering selected abstract presenters the opportunity to apply for competitive travel grants to present their research at an international conference outside Ghana in 2027.
The opportunity is expected to encourage researchers to produce relevant studies, strengthen academic collaboration and expose Ghanaian health professionals to international research developments.
Discussions at the conference cover disease burden, healthcare financing, governance and the integration of NCD research into primary healthcare delivery.The broader objective is to ensure that research informs practical decisions across the health sector rather than remaining confined to academic publications.
As Ghana continues to expand access to primary healthcare, stakeholders are expected to identify sustainable ways of using research to improve prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.
The conference ultimately reinforces the need for stronger links between scientific evidence, government policy and healthcare delivery to reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases across the country.
READ ALSO: Kwadwo Sheldon Hints at Madina NPP Parliamentary Bid
