Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has urged Ghanaians to unite in addressing the heavy toll of sickle cell disease, highlighting its high costs, limited access to care, and lack of long-term support systems as major barriers affecting families and the national healthcare system.
Speaking on the issue, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang described sickle cell disease as a significant national challenge, particularly in light of Ghana’s growing population. “We must galvanize our resolve to tackle this scourge head-on,” she said, stressing the need for responsible economic management to create fiscal room for stronger social protection and health programmes.
The Vice President reaffirmed the government’s focus on inclusive, bottom-up development. “Our administration is committed to impact-driven governance, building Ghana from the grassroots up, and ensuring inclusivity is the cornerstone of our development agenda,” she stated.
She emphasised decentralisation as a key strategy to improve healthcare access in remote and underserved areas. “Access to care must not be a privilege, but a right accorded to all, irrespective of geography,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang asserted.
Pointing to the broader implications of the disease, she called for stakeholder engagement, enhanced preventive measures, and comprehensive support for affected families. “We are resolute in our commitment to engage stakeholders, fortify preventive care, and envelop affected families in a cocoon of compassion and sustainable solutions,” she added.
Her remarks underscore the government’s determination to remove obstacles to sickle cell care and build a more equitable health system where every Ghanaian can thrive.
