Ghana’s development partners in the health sector have been urged to prioritise and support the nation to fight Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and thereby improve the socio-economic livelihoods of affected persons as well.

Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), a media advocacy and human rights Non-Governmental Organisation gave the advice at the launch of a fund-raising campaign held at Abesim, near Sunyani.

He called for the inclusion of NTDs in the global fund for malaria, tuberculosis and HIV, worrying that NTDs like elephantiasis were very common in peri-urban and rural communities in parts of the country.

Mr Ahenu bemoaned the present appalling living conditions of the affected persons, worrying that due to the devastating health complications associated with elephantiasis, Buruli ulcer and yaws, most of the affected persons (women) were unable to cater for their needs and that of their families.

He noted that the adverse and economic effects of NTDs on the nation required that: “our global partners support us to fund, manage, and stem NTDs in the country”.
Mr Ahenu expressed worry that accessing funding support remained a major problem for many NGOs and the civil society community now, saying that: “Now countries like Denmark and the United States have cut their funding support putting pressure on the NGOs and the CSO”.
Mr Ahenu explained that the Star Ghana Foundation is supporting the fund-raising campaign, aligned with the GloMeF 2026 commitment to strengthening locally driven support for vulnerable communities.
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