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.
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 2019, we helped to distribute more than 4.3 million treatments for neglected tropical diseases across the country, and trained more than 13,000 local volunteers to give out medication in their communities.
Watch the video below to see the story of trachoma elimination in Ghana.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
Previous programmes
How we’re making a difference in Ghana
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
Disability rights
Sightsavers advocacy adviser Gertrude Fefoame, who is based in Ghana, has been elected to the UN's disability committee.
Read about Gertrude
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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The £4 billion cut includes ending funding for the FCDO's flagship neglected tropical disease programmes, including the Sightsavers-led Ascend West and Central Africa programme.
Ghana’s electoral processes have improved – but are they inclusive?
Ghana has made significant strides towards addressing disability rights. But people with disabilities are not given equal opportunities to participate in electoral processes.
World NTD Day 2021: highlights from around the world
On 30 January 2021, Sightsavers joined global celebrations to mark the fight against neglected tropical diseases.
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Where we work