Accra, Ghana – A recent analysis by the Public Health and Health Promotion Unit of the Technical Coordination Directorate of the Ministry of Health (MoH) reveals a concerning rise in stroke cases within the country, with numbers exceeding 48 per cent of the population within the last three years. Dr. Mavis Sakyi, Pubic Health Physician and Health Systems Researcher, disclosed this alarming trend during a national stakeholder consultation on Food Is Medicine (FIM) in Accra on Monday, August 24th.
According to Dr. Sakyi, the data shows that nearly 48 per cent of the stroke cases were attributed to men aged 30 to 49 years, a figure significantly higher than previous years. In 2023, the number of strokes was recorded at 24,840, representing 77.4 per 100,000 population, compared to 26,758 in 2024 and 29,483 in 2025. This represents a substantial increase, signaling a worrying trend.
Dr. Sakyi highlighted that a significant proportion of stroke patients, particularly those with hypertension and diabetes, were not adequately managed, contributing to the complication of hemorrhagic strokes, which typically have a poor prognosis. He explained that a large percentage of patients were not getting their medication or taking it, creating a critical situation.
The Ministry of Health data shows that the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Volta and Oti regions currently account for the highest proportion of stroke cases, with Oforikrom, Korle Klottey, Bekwai, Ayawaso West and Keta leading the chart. Districts such as Oforikrom, Korle Klottey, and New Juaben have the highest number of stroke cases, with 24,840, 26,758, 29,483, and 24,840 respectively in 2023.
Dr. Sakyi further elaborated on the importance of diet, stating that the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) – including hypertension and diabetes – are a major factor in the rise. He emphasized the need to improve dietary practices, reduce unhealthy eating habits, and implement strategies to mitigate the burden of these conditions. The government has been working on this, but it is essential to improve the diets and make them accessible to everyone.
The MoH reported that the numbers for hypertension and diabetes were equally high, and often translated into strokes when the patients had complications. The director of the Allied Health of MoH, Dr Ignatius Awinibuno, stated that poor nutrition, limited access to affordable healthy food choices, and food environments that fostered unhealthy habits were contributing to the NCD burden in Ghana.
He further explained that the meeting was expected to define a context-appropriate understanding of FIM in Ghana, agree on a parity of models and research ideas for Ghana to test, clearer institutional rules and a governance arrangement for a platform they hope to set up in Ghana.
Experts emphasized that the increased number of stroke cases in men could be linked to the fact that they typically do not visit hospitals, compared to their female counterparts. Furthermore, women tend to have more frequent hospital visits, which increases their chances of being screened. For hypertension, the hotspot districts are Ayawaso West in Accra, Atwima Nwabiagya and Obuasi East in the Ashanti Region, Korle Klottey in Accra and New Juaben in the Ashanti Region, with 24,840, 26,758, 29,483, and 24,840 respectively in 2023.
Dr. Sakyi explained that stroke cases were high in men because they normally did not visit hospitals, compared to their female counterparts. He explained that women had peculiar factors such as pregnancy, which increased their frequency of hospital visits that increased their chances of being screened. For hypertension, the hotspot districts are Ayawaso West topped the hotspot districts chart, followed by Obuasi East, Kwahu West and Old Tafo.
Dr. Sebastian Sandaare, Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, stated that Parliament recognized that NCDs were no longer a secondary health concern but a present national emergency, taking lives prematurely, impoverishing households, reducing productivity, and placing growing pressure on the health system. He explained that the meeting was, among others, expected to determine how clinically appropriate food and nutrition services could become a critical component of healthcare delivery and food systems performance in Ghana.
The discussion also included Professor Amos Laar, Head of the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health at the School of Public Health, who explained that the meeting was, among others, expected to determine how clinically appropriate food and nutrition services could become a critical component of healthcare delivery and food systems performance in Ghana. The meeting underscored the need to connect prevention with treatment, clinical care with the food system, and professional advice with practical access to appropriate food.
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Source: Graphic Online
