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 2021, we helped to distribute more than 3.9 million treatments for neglected tropical diseases across the country, and trained more than 12,000 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.
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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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.
Sightsavers’ Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame re-elected to UN disability committee
Gertrude, who was nominated by the government of Ghana, was elected alongside five other women and will serve on the committee until 2026.
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.
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.
Eye care and COVID-19: what we’ve learned during the pandemic
Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been to restart our work quickly and safely. Sightsavers staff reveal our how eye care programmes have evolved in the past 18 months.
UK government cuts funding for neglected tropical diseases
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.
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