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Our work in Ghana

In June 2018, Ghana was confirmed as the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate trachoma, thanks to the work of Sightsavers and our partners.

A group of children are waving and smiling at the camera.

Ghana, on the west coast of Africa, boasts consistent economic growth and political stability, yet several blinding diseases are endemic in the country.

Sightsavers has worked in Ghana since the 1950s, and we’re on track to tackle these diseases for good. In June 2018, Ghana was confirmed as the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate trachoma due to the efforts of the ministry of health and partners including Sightsavers.

Now we are working to eliminate river blindness and lymphatic filariasis too. We tackle these diseases through mass drug administration (MDA), in which medication is given to large sections of the population to prevent the spread of the diseases. In 2022, we helped to distribute more than 4 million treatments for neglected tropical diseases across the country, and trained more than 11,000 local volunteers to give out medication in their communities.

In 2020, we supported the Government of Ghana to launch the four-year Ghana Participation Programme, which will improve access to services for people with disabilities and mental health conditions.

At a glance

Total population
  • 29.4 million

  • What we focus on
  • River blindness
  • Lymphatic filariasis

  • Key programmes
  • Ascend
  • OEM Project

  • Previous programmes
  • National Trachoma Programme
  • How we’re making a difference in Ghana

    Two women have their eyes examined while walking in the field with their crops.

    Banishing trachoma

    As Ghana raced to eliminate trachoma, eye care workers raced through cities and villages to find any remaining trachoma patients.
    Read about our trip

    Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame speaking into a microphone at an event.

    Disability rights

    Sightsavers advocacy adviser Gertrude Fefoame, who is based in Ghana, has been elected to the UN's disability committee.
    Read about Gertrude

    Rahinatu holds her granddaughter and smiles following her trachoma surgery.

    Changing lives

    As part of our work to eliminate trachoma, we examined millions of people, diagnosed them and referred them for treatment.
    Read their stories

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    More from Ghana

    sightsavers_news

    African states honoured for beating neglected tropical diseases

    Benin and Ghana, two of the countries where Sightsavers works, have been recognised for their success in wiping out several diseases that are prevalent in poor and marginalised communities.

    July 2023
    Peter Kwasi.
    Sightsavers blog

    “In Ghana, the work we began on disability inclusion will continue”

    Sightsavers’ Peter Anomah-Kordieh Kwasi shares successes and what we learned from the Ghana Somubi Dwumadie participation project, which Sightsavers supported as a partner to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

    Peter Kwasi, June 2023
    Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame speaking into a microphone.
    sightsavers_news

    Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame elected chair of UN disability committee

    Gertrude, who is Sightsavers’ global advocacy manager for social inclusion, becomes the first African woman to lead the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

    March 2023
    A group photo of people involved in the Ghana Somubi Dwumadie programme.
    Sightsavers blog

    A parliamentary caucus on disability issues in Ghana is possible!

    Sightsavers’ Peter Anomah-Kordieh Kwasi shares the journey that led to the establishment of a parliamentary caucus that champions disability issues.

    Peter Kwasi, November 2022
    A large group of people gather together for a photo outside a building. Some people are seated, some are standing and there is a man in a wheelchair at the front of the group.
    Sightsavers blog

    How inclusion ambassadors are reducing disability stigma and discrimination in Ghana

    Sightsavers’ Joseph Mensah explains how the Ghana Somubi Dwumadie programme is helping to change negative social attitudes and behaviour.

    Joseph Mensah, April 2022
    The Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda is lit up in purple light for World NTD Day.
    Sightsavers from the field

    World NTD Day 2022: highlights from around the world

    On 30 January 2022, Sightsavers staff and supporters joined the global event to raise awareness about eliminating neglected tropical diseases.

    February 2022

    We save sight in 30 countries worldwide

    Where we work