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Friday, 26 June 2026
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Friday, 26 June 2026
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Ghanaian press · Organization

World Health Organisation

WHO — international health organization that sets public health guidance, estimates disease impacts, and manages clinical trials networks.

2026-04-282026-06-26
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. April 2026

  2. The Ghanaian Times

    … As the World Health Organisation has reminded us, malaria remains a major killer across Africa, especially among children. …

    A turning point in the malaria battle: Let’s not lose focus
Society

VAST Ghana urges higher excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, sugary drinks

The News

Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development Ghana has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Ghana's excise tax regime, urging the government to increase taxes on tobacco products, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages to curb the growing burden of non-communicable diseases while boosting domestic revenue mobilisation.

Why it matters

VAST Ghana's call for higher excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks addresses non-communicable disease burden and revenue.

13 hours ago · Joy Online →

Yesterday

  1. VAST Ghana urges higher excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, sugary drinks

    Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development Ghana has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Ghana's excise tax regime, urging the government to increase taxes on tobacco products, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages to curb the growing burden of non-communicable diseases while boosting domestic revenue mobilisation.

    13 hours ago · Joy Online →

  2. Congo Ebola outbreak records highest first-month case count

    Congo's Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has the largest number of confirmed cases within the first month of any outbreak on record, according to WHO. The surge is attributed to rapid spread to urban areas like Bunia and Mongbwalu, though the virus had been circulating for months before official detection on May 15.

    25 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 23 June

  1. CHAG endorses government's free primary healthcare policy initiative

    The Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) has endorsed the government's newly launched Free Primary Healthcare initiative, calling it a bold and transformative policy toward Universal Health Coverage. CHAG's Executive Director said the association would actively champion implementation through its nationwide network of health facilities.

    23 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 22 June

  1. Sickle cell education should be mandatory in schools, founder urges

    The Founder of Focus on Sickle-Cell Foundation has called on the government to integrate genotype and inheritance education into the national curriculum to equip young Ghanaians with knowledge before starting families, saying education is the cheapest and most sustainable prevention tool available.

    22 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 20 June

  1. NHIS urged to cover prescription glasses after eye care gap

    A four-day free eye care outreach in Bono Region screened 867 people but could not attend to over 500 others due to limited capacity, prompting calls for the National Health Insurance Scheme to extend coverage to prescription glasses and low-vision aids.

    20 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 19 June

  1. US CDC releases $107 million for Ebola response in Congo and Uganda

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is making $107 million in emergency funding available to strengthen its response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The outbreak has grown to 875 confirmed cases and 202 deaths, and less than 10% of pledges from international donors have been received so far.

    19 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 18 June

  1. Workplace stress costs global economy $1 trillion annually

    Work-related stress, driven by job demands, work environment structure, and colleague interactions, is a major concern for employee well-being and organisational productivity. The World Health Organisation estimates that stress-related conditions cost the global economy about 1 trillion US dollars annually through lost working hours, with stressed employees reporting fatigue, poor concentration, reduced motivation, anxiety, depression, and burnout.

    18 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

  2. GHS launches drug campaign against three tropical diseases

    The Ghana Health Service will conduct a Mass Drug Administration campaign from June 20 to July 3, 2026, targeting nearly eight million eligible people across multiple regions to prevent onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, and schistosomiasis. The initiative is part of Ghana's strategy to eliminate neglected tropical diseases as a public health threat by 2030.

    18 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Armed men take six-year-old Ebola patient from DR Congo hospital

    A six-year-old Ebola patient and her mother were removed from Wanamahika Hospital in Butembo by armed men with knives; authorities are searching for them and urging them to return to a health centre. The incident reflects ongoing suspicion and attacks on treatment facilities during an outbreak that has confirmed almost 200 deaths and 840 cases.

    17 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Thomas Partey leads FIFA-WHO fitness campaign with Rhode Island children

    Midfielder Thomas Partey and Ghana's Black Stars conducted a community engagement event at Bryant University in Rhode Island, participating in the FIFA-WHO 'Be Active' campaign, which encourages young people to exercise at least 60 minutes daily through football. Partey led drills and skills sessions with children aged 10–14, promoting physical activity and healthy living ahead of Ghana's World Cup opener.

    16 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

  2. Bus plunges into ravine in Ethiopia, kills 31 people

    An overcrowded passenger bus veered off a mountain road in northern Ethiopia's Amhara region and plunged into a deep ravine early Monday, killing at least 31 people and injuring 33 others. Delayed emergency response due to lack of ambulance services in the rural area complicated rescue operations.

    16 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 15 June

  1. Vehicle pollution identified as major Ghana health risk factor

    Air pollution is Ghana's second-leading risk factor for death after high blood pressure, with vehicle pollution a major contributor in urban centres; national estimates attribute 28,000–32,000 deaths annually to air pollution, representing about 14 percent of all deaths in Ghana.

    15 June 2026 · The Chronicle →

  2. Ghana faces blood supply shortfall; health minister pledges support

    The Health Minister says Ghana needs 300,000 units of blood annually but collected only 200,000 units last year, creating a significant deficit. The government plans to support the National Blood Service with equipment for screening, processing, and storage at regional blood centres to address the shortage.

    15 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

  3. Vehicle pollution second-leading death risk factor in Ghana

    Air pollution, driven largely by vehicle emissions, is now Ghana's second-leading risk factor for death after high blood pressure. The WHO, UNICEF, and State of Global Air report estimate air pollution causes between 28,000 and 32,000 deaths annually—about 14 percent of all deaths in Ghana—with PM2.5 pollution from vehicles contributing to approximately 2,800 deaths yearly in Greater Accra alone.

    15 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 14 June

  1. WHO Chief condemns xenophobic violence in South Africa

    The WHO Director-General has strongly condemned renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, describing them as a "tragic betrayal" of the country's historic struggle for freedom. The violence has killed at least five Ethiopians and five Mozambicans, displaced thousands of families, and sparked mass demonstrations.

    14 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Ghana's National Vaccine Institute joins WHO Global Clinical Trials Forum

    Ghana's National Vaccine Institute has been admitted to the WHO-managed Global Clinical Trials Forum, a network that supports stronger clinical trial systems globally. The membership provides Ghana with technical support and collaboration opportunities at no financial cost.

    10 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Ghana's National Vaccine Institute joins WHO Global Clinical Trials Forum

    Ghana's National Vaccine Institute has been admitted to the WHO-managed Global Clinical Trials Forum, a network supporting the development of stronger clinical trial systems globally. The membership provides Ghana with technical support and collaboration opportunities at no financial cost to the institute.

    10 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Ghana activates Ebola surveillance systems at borders

    The government has activated surveillance and isolation systems at key border posts to detect and prevent the spread of Ebola, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Deputy Health Minister Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah toured the Elubo and Aflao borders to assess Ghana's response strategy, with President Mahama directing the ministry to ensure readiness for a potential outbreak.

    10 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. WHO chief urges Uganda to reconsider Congo border closure

    The WHO director-general said Uganda should reconsider its temporary closure of its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo over an Ebola outbreak, stating that blanket travel restrictions don't work. Uganda has reported 19 confirmed Ebola cases, mostly from people who entered from Congo, where the outbreak has 544 confirmed cases.

    9 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. US public health squad monitors wastewater during World Cup

    Epidemiologists in Washington, D.C. will monitor wastewater and social media to detect infectious diseases during the World Cup, where more than 6.5 million soccer fans from over 100 countries are expected to travel to matches in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

    9 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 8 June

  1. Accra Metro health director urges action on foodborne diseases

    On World Food Safety Day 2026, the Director of the Metro Public Health Department at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly warned that unsafe food can cause up to 1.52 million deaths annually worldwide and called for practical actions to protect public health and strengthen food systems in Ghana and across Africa.

    8 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. WHO launches $518 million plan to contain Ebola outbreak

    The World Health Organisation announced a $518 million, six-month plan to combat an Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The outbreak, involving the Bundibugyo strain for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment, has recorded 381 confirmed cases and 62 deaths in Congo, and 19 cases and two deaths in Uganda.

    8 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 7 June

  1. DR Congo's World Cup warm-up match moved behind closed doors

    DR Congo's final World Cup warm-up game against Chile will be played behind closed doors in Orleans, France, on Tuesday, after a local Spanish mayor's decree prevented it from taking place in Cadiz due to concerns about the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo.

    7 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 5 June

  1. Spain cancels DR Congo-Chile World Cup warm-up friendly over Ebola

    A pre-World Cup friendly between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile scheduled for June 9 in southern Spain has been cancelled by the mayor of La Línea de la Concepción due to public health concerns over an active Ebola outbreak in the central African nation.

    5 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Ghana strengthens Ebola response as DRC, Uganda outbreaks surge

    Ghana has activated its Ebola preparedness and response plan in response to outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda, strengthening surveillance, laboratory testing, and case management systems. As of June 3, 2026, the DRC had recorded 344 confirmed Ebola cases and 60 deaths, while Uganda had recorded 15 confirmed cases and one death.

    5 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Nigeria Senate passes bill for national malaria elimination agency

    The Senate has passed a bill to establish the National Agency for Malaria Elimination, aimed at coordinating efforts to prevent, control, and eventually eradicate malaria in Nigeria. The proposed agency will shift the country's response from treatment-focused interventions to prevention and eradication strategies, with zonal and state offices to drive implementation.

    5 June 2026 · The Chronicle →

Thursday 4 June

  1. WHO reports Ebola response catching up in DRC outbreak

    The World Health Organisation said Wednesday that the world is "catching up" with the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where there have been 344 confirmed cases and 60 confirmed deaths. The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo strain, has spread to neighbouring Uganda with 15 confirmed cases including one death.

    4 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Health Minister warns youth against flavoured and e-cigarettes

    Ghana's Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has cautioned youth that flavoured and electronic cigarettes still cause cancer and death, noting that tobacco-related diseases cost Ghana an estimated 600 million dollars annually with about 6,000 preventable deaths. He said about 13.6 per cent of youth smoke shisha and 2.2 per cent smoke e-cigarettes, with nearly 450,000 adults in Ghana smoking regularly.

    3 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Spanish mayor cancels DR Congo-Chile friendly over Ebola

    The mayor of La Linea de la Concepcion in Spain has cancelled a World Cup preparatory friendly between DR Congo and Chile scheduled for 9 June, citing health concerns over an Ebola outbreak in the eastern DR Congo. DR Congo are based in Belgium and no players have recently visited their homeland, though some support staff and fans have travelled from there.

    2 June 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. DRC, WHO step up response to Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak

    The Democratic Republic of Congo and the World Health Organisation are intensifying containment efforts for an Ebola Virus Disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain affecting Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. While no licensed vaccine or specific treatment exists for this strain, health authorities emphasise that early detection, prompt medical care, and preventive measures such as hand-washing and avoiding contact with infected individuals' bodily fluids remain effective in controlling transmission.

    2 June 2026 · Joy Online →

World Health Organisation — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute