43% of deaths in Ghana caused by diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases – Deputy Health Minister

Deputy Minister for Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has raised fresh concerns over the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Ghana, revealing that nearly 43 per cent of all deaths recorded in the country are linked to chronic illnesses, particularly diabetes and hypertension.

The alarming figures, she said, underscore the urgent need for sustained investment in specialist healthcare facilities, advanced medical equipment and preventive health interventions to combat the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases across the country.

Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah said non-communicable diseases have become one of the biggest public health challenges, placing enormous pressure on the country’s healthcare system and increasing the demand for specialised medical care.

According to her, diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure) remain the two most widespread non-communicable diseases affecting Ghanaians, with thousands of patients developing severe complications that often require intensive care and highly specialised medical treatment.

She explained that many patients diagnosed with these chronic conditions eventually suffer complications affecting vital organs, including the heart, kidneys and brain, making access to advanced medical technology critical to improving survival rates.

“Data shows that **43 per cent of all mortalities in Ghana are coming from non-communicable diseases, mainly diabetes and high blood pressure. Most of the patients develop complications and when they develop complications, they need critical care or high-level specialised equipment,” she stated.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah indicated that the government’s MahamaCares initiative is designed to strengthen the country’s response to these health challenges by equipping hospitals—particularly the teaching hospitals—with modern diagnostic and treatment equipment capable of managing complex medical conditions.

She explained that the programme is supporting the furnishing of major referral hospitals with sophisticated equipment required for intensive care, specialist diagnosis and advanced treatment of patients suffering from chronic illnesses.

“And so MahamaCares is supporting the furnishing of the hospitals, especially the teaching hospitals, with this high-level specialised equipment,” the Deputy Minister added.

Non-communicable diseases are illnesses that cannot be transmitted from one person to another and generally develop gradually over many years. Unlike infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites, chronic diseases are largely influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, physiological and lifestyle factors.

Health experts identify cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases as the most common non-communicable diseases affecting populations worldwide.

Nana Prekoh Eric

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