In a move to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana, the Ministry of Health has released findings from the country's first comprehensive survey on NCD risk factors, known as the STEPS Survey.
This nationwide effort, launched in partnership with the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Statistical Service, and the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to address critical health issues.
At the event held at Alisa Hotel on October 31, Dr. Darius Kofi Osei, Technical Advisor to the Health Minister, delivered a speech on behalf of Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, emphasizing the global and regional urgency in tackling NCDs.
“Non-communicable diseases are now the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for approximately 150 million premature deaths among people aged 30 to 70 years, particularly in developing countries,”
Dr. Osei added that the toll is particularly concerning across Africa, where health systems often struggle to manage the growing burden.
The STEPS Survey will provide Ghana’s policymakers with the baseline data required to develop effective interventions, track progress, and set a foundation for public health reforms.
The data, according to Dr. Osei, will be crucial in "informing policies aimed at combating NCDs such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, and respiratory illnesses.”
“Addressing NCDs is a necessity, not an option,” Dr. Osei stated, describing them as a “growing menace across the African continent.”
He highlighted that the survey will also act as a “strong advocacy tool for public education and resource mobilization at both local and international levels,” which is key to Ghana’s goals under the 2013-2030 Global Action Plan for NCDs.
During his address, the Ministry's Chief Director praised the support from global partners, including Norway, the United Kingdom, and the UK-Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK-FCDO), and extended special appreciation to the survey’s principal investigator, acknowledging their dedication to this extensive study.
The survey findings will support Ghana’s initiatives such as tobacco and alcohol taxation, sugary beverage regulations, and community-based health programs, all aimed at reducing NCD risk.
As Ghana’s first comprehensive dataset on NCD risk factors, the STEPS Survey results mark an essential step toward reforming public health strategies, enhancing social insurance, and strengthening human capital development to meet the country’s evolving health needs.
While Ghana has made modest progress in addressing the rising burden of NCDs, challenges persist, especially around the reliability of health management systems and the availability of robust data.
Ghana’s approach aligns with the 2013-2030 Global Action Plan for NCDs, involving measures such as taxation on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages, as well as school and community-based health promotion programs.
The findings of the STEPS Survey will now pave the way for reforms in public health strategies, social insurance, and human capital development.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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