Ghana Non-Communicable Disease Alliance Proposes Policy Measures Ahead of 2025 UN High-Level Meeting
The Ghana Non-Communicable Disease Alliance (GhNCDA) has outlined key policy recommendations for consideration at the upcoming 4th UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health in September 2025.
National Coordinator of GhNCDA, Labram Musah, speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Accra, emphasized the need for increased investments in the health sector, higher taxes on harmful commodities, and strengthened accountability mechanisms to enhance Ghana’s response to NCDs.
According to Mr. Musah, NCDs remain a major public health and developmental challenge in Ghana, accounting for 45% of all deaths.
Despite progress in policy implementation, systemic challenges, including high treatment costs, inadequate healthcare investment, and poor integration of NCD care into primary healthcare, continue to undermine Ghana’s efforts towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Key Policy Proposals
- Investment in Healthcare: The alliance is advocating for increased government investment in NCD services, particularly in uncapping the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to accommodate treatment for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers.
- Taxation on Unhealthy Commodities: Mr. Musah highlighted the need to increase taxes on products that contribute to NCDs, including tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods. He argued that such measures would not only generate government revenue but also reduce consumption, ultimately lessening the burden of NCDs on the healthcare system.
- Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms: He called for a robust accountability framework to ensure that government commitments made at the global level are effectively translated into actionable policies in Ghana. He urged the media, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders to play an active role in monitoring progress and holding the government accountable.
- Community Engagement and Inclusion: The GhNCDA is pushing for grassroots participation in policy discussions, ensuring that individuals living with NCDs and those in rural communities have a voice in shaping healthcare policies. Mr. Musah emphasized the need to move beyond tokenistic stakeholder engagements and foster meaningful collaboration.
- Integration of NCDs into NHIS Benefits Package: Addressing issues such as access to dialysis and diabetes management under the NHIS remains a priority. He urged the Ministry of Health to ensure that NCD treatment coverage is not only expanded but also effectively implemented.
The Stakeholder Meeting was held in anticipation of the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health on the theme: “Ghana’s Progress on NCDs and Mental Health from 2018 to 2025; Lessons Learnt and Key Future Policies.”
The Stakeholder Meeting to serve as a strategic platform to discuss Ghana’s progress in implementing NCD policies, identify key priorities ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health, and mobilize stakeholders to strengthen the country’s response to NCDs within the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.
As Ghana prepares for the 2025 High-Level Meeting, GhNCDA is calling on the government to intensify its commitment to tackling NCDs through comprehensive policy measures that prioritize investment, taxation, accountability, and inclusivity.
