Ghana has taken a major step in combating cholera by identifying high-risk districts for targeted interventions aimed at preventing and controlling the disease. The initiative was carried out in March 2026 with technical support from the World Health Organization and funding from the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, in alignment with global efforts to eliminate cholera.
Led by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, the Priority Areas for Multi-sectoral Interventions (PAMI) exercise brought together stakeholders from across sectors, including health, water and sanitation, environment, local government, and civil society. Using district-level data, participants analyzed cholera trends and risk factors over a five-year period from 2020 to 2025.
Applying the GTFCC’s PAMI tool, districts were assessed based on disease burden, mortality rates, transmission patterns, and laboratory confirmation. Following validation, stakeholders agreed on a threshold indicating that targeted interventions in selected districts could potentially prevent up to 98% of cholera cases and eliminate deaths nationwide.
Out of 261 districts, 93 were identified as priority areas for action. These findings will guide the development of Ghana’s National Cholera Control Plan, which will focus on cost-effective strategies such as strengthening disease surveillance, improving health systems, deploying oral cholera vaccines, and enhancing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in vulnerable communities.
The exercise also fostered stronger collaboration among stakeholders. Jonathan Akwabeng-Manu highlighted that the initiative promotes coordinated action across sectors, enabling partners to align their efforts and share planned interventions for better outcomes.
Fred Kapaya praised the collaborative approach and emphasized the importance of continued partnership in developing and implementing the National Cholera Control Plan.
Ghana’s efforts demonstrate strong national leadership and alignment with global strategies to eliminate cholera as a public health threat. By identifying priority districts and focusing resources where they are most needed, the country is taking a critical step toward reducing cholera cases and safeguarding public health.
