MATCOH Chairman, Mr. Jeorge Wilson
Chairman of the Media Alliance in Tobacco Control and Health (MATCOH), Jeorge Wilson, has emphasised the need for collective action against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
Speaking at a capacity-building seminar for journalists and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Accra, Mr. Wilson noted that NCDs account for about 45% of all mortality in the country, with this figure steadily rising over the years.
The seminar, organised by the Ghana NCD Alliance in collaboration with MATCOH and the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to advocate for stronger government commitment to addressing the NCD challenges.
Mr. Wilson stressed that the hurdles facing the health sector, including high treatment costs and insufficient mental health support, only compound the suffering of victims affected.
“The challenges in the health sector, such as high treatment costs, inequitable access to healthcare, and insufficient mental health support, only compound the suffering of those affected by NCDs. These challenges not only strain our healthcare system but also deepen the cycle of poverty, as individuals and families are forced into financial hardship due to the costs associated with managing these conditions,” he stated.
As Ghana prepares for the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs in September 2025, Mr. Wilson stressed the need for accelerated progress towards reducing premature mortality from NCDs and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all.
He noted that the seminar provides an essential platform for media professionals, CSOs, and individuals living with NCDs to advocate for stronger government commitment to addressing the crisis.
“This seminar provides an essential platform to equip all of us—media professionals, CSOs, and individuals living with NCDs—with the knowledge and tools to advocate for stronger government commitment to addressing this crisis.
The focus is clear: accelerating progress toward SDG 3.4—reducing premature mortality from NCDs—and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all,” Jeorge Wilson added.
Through this seminar, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the UN processes, critical timelines, and key advocacy priorities that government actors should prioritize in the lead-up to the 2025 meeting.
The seminar also aimed to enhance the ability of journalists and CSOs to communicate effectively about NCDs and UHC, as well as to engage with policymakers and push for the prioritization of NCDs in Ghana’s national health agenda.
Mr. Wilson, however, acknowledged the progress Ghana has made in addressing NCDs, including the introduction of wellness clinics, annual health checks, and the free dialysis program for chronic kidney disease patients.
He, However, observed that the need for increased government investment in healthcare, particularly in NCD prevention and mental health services, has become more urgent than ever.
Meanwhile, watch this Ghana Month special edition of People and Places as we hear the story of how the head of Kwame Nkrumah’s bronze statue was returned after 43 years, below: