By: Enock Ankomah
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has released a second set of six district-level reports revealing significant gaps in health, nutrition, sanitation and population outcomes across the country.
The reports are based on data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, analysedusing Small Area Estimation methods, and the 2024 Reproductive Health Commodity Security Survey.
Speaking at the launch, the Acting Deputy Government Statistician, Omar Seidu, said the findings go beyond describing health conditions and are intended to guide policy decisions, resource allocation and the monitoring of national and global development goals.
He noted that although national averages suggest progress in some areas, sharp disparities persist at the district level, leaving many vulnerable populations behind.
Mr. Seidu also announced the release of a thematic brief from the 2024 Reproductive Health Commodities and Services Survey, which assessed 847 health facilities nationwide.
He said while 91 percent of facilities provide at least three modern contraceptive methods, only 56 percent meet the Ghana Health Service guideline of offering five methods, with rural facilities performing significantly worse.
According to the report, districts in the Northern and North East regions recorded unmet need rates of more than 20 percent, nearly double the national average of 11.7 percent, while parts of Greater Accra recorded rates below four percent.
Data Scientist at the GSS Data Science Directorate, Peter Yotumeng Melaro, highlighted worrying levels of excessive alcohol consumption among men, particularly in the North East and Savannah regions.
He said in some districts, more than 60 percent of men aged 15 to 59 consume alcohol above recommended moderate levels, posing serious public health risks linked to non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
Another Data Scientist with the Research and Data Science Directorate, Simon TichutabOnilimor, said the new district-level estimates show a strong link between poor household sanitation practices and malnutrition.
He explained that unsafe disposal of children’s stools increases exposure to infections and contributes to poor nutrition outcomes.
Mr. Onilimor noted a clear north–south divide, with some northern districts recording high levels of child stunting and anaemia among women of reproductive age, compared to significantly lower levels in parts of Greater Accra.
The reports underscore wide disparities in household health and nutrition outcomes across districts, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities that require targeted and coordinated policy responses.
