By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
The Ministry of Health has thrown its weight behind the Focus on Sickle Cell Foundation (FoSCel) in its efforts to raise awareness about sickle cell disease, a common inherited blood disorder in the country.
According to the Ministry, about 2% of babies born in Ghana each year have sickle cell disease, with approximately 15,000 newborns affected annually. It added that an estimated 20–30% of Ghanaians carry the sickle cell trait (AS).
Speaking at a sickle cell funfair held at Achimota Mall, a representative of the Ministry stated that the government launched the National Strategy for Sickle Cell Disease (2024–2028) in November 2024.
The strategy prioritises newborn screening, integration of testing into routine clinic services, expansion of specialised care, ensuring the availability of hydroxyurea medication, establishment of a National Sickle Cell Registry, and strengthened public education.
The initiative is estimated to require GHS 175 million over five years.
The Ministry urged Ghanaians to know their genotype, get tested, and educate others, emphasising that early diagnosis and proper care can reduce complications and stigma.
It also commended the FoSCel Foundation for its impactful initiatives and collaboration, noting that the health sector alone cannot defeat sickle cell disease.
