By Jennifer Nerkie Kenney
A neurologist and senior physician at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr Vida Obese, has called for increased awareness, early diagnosis and stronger support systems for people living with Parkinson’s disease in Ghana.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show on Thursday, 9 April 2026, she said the condition goes beyond the visible tremors many people associate with it and affects movement, emotions and overall quality of life.
“Parkinson’s disease is often reduced to a visible tremor, but behind the shaking is a deeply personal neurological condition that affects movement, emotions, identity and dignity,” she said.
Dr Obese explained that Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder linked to the loss of dopamine-producing cells in a part of the brain responsible for movement control. This, she noted, leads to symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, slowness and postural instability.
She added that the condition does not affect everyone in the same way, with some patients experiencing more stiffness than tremors, while others may first show non-motor symptoms such as anxiety, depression and constipation.
“For some patients, these non-motor symptoms appear years before the tremor, which makes diagnosis challenging,” she explained.
She also raised concern about the increasing number of younger patients being diagnosed, noting that while the disease is commonly associated with people above 60, cases are now being recorded among individuals in their 30s and 40s in Ghana.
Dr Obese stressed the need for more local research to understand genetic and environmental risk factors, including exposure to pesticides and heavy metals.
“We are seeing younger people with Parkinson’s disease, and this means we must expand research in Ghana to understand why this pattern is emerging,” she said.
She clarified that although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, it can be managed through medication, exercise and support from a team of healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists and nutritionists.
Dr Obese emphasised that regular physical activity plays a key role in improving symptoms and brain health, encouraging simple routines such as brisk walking.
“Exercise improves dopamine release in the brain and is one of the most protective factors for brain health,” she noted.
Sharing her personal motivation, Dr Obese said her interest in neurology was inspired by a family member who lived with the condition, as well as her experiences with patients who often feel misunderstood and unsupported.
Through her organisation, the Anidaso Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, she advocates for patient support, policy change and improved access to care.
“I realised many patients did not understand what they had, and caregivers were struggling. That is why we created a support system and continue to push for awareness,” she said.
She also called on government to include Parkinson’s medication under the National Health Insurance Scheme to reduce the financial burden on patients and their families.
Dr Obese urged families and caregivers to seek medical attention early and support affected individuals with empathy.
“There is hope. Patients are not alone, and there are teams working every day to improve care and find a cure,” she added.
