The Edem Sickle Cell Foundation (ESECF), in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has intensified advocacy against sickle cell disease in the Central Tongu District as part of the 2025 Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
The sensitisation programme, held at the National Garment Association of Tailors and Seamstresses Hall in Adidome, highlighted the alarming rise in reported sickle cell cases in the district and the urgent need for early testing, education, and support for affected individuals.
According to data from the Foundation, reported cases increased from 64 in 2022 to 83 in 2023 and 87 in 2024, a trend that experts say calls for sustained public awareness and community-based interventions.
Mr. Courage Komla Ofori, Chief Executive Officer of ESECF, described the situation as “a growing public health concern” and called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society, and health institutions to prevent further spread.
“Education and early testing remain the most powerful tools in fighting sickle cell disease. It’s not a condition anyone chooses—it’s inherited. That’s why awareness and genetic counselling are key,” Mr. Ofori said.
He reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that children and families in the Central Tongu District receive the necessary education and support to manage the condition effectively.
“Our goal is to empower local communities with knowledge and resources before scaling up to other districts,” he added.
Guest speakers from the NCCE, Mr. Frank Azumah and Madam Doris Wangba, underscored the need to break societal silence on the condition and urged residents to embrace open dialogue and regular genotype testing.
They particularly appealed to young people to know their genetic status before marriage and advocated for newborn screening as part of Ghana’s primary healthcare strategy.
The event, themed “Global Action; Local Impact – Empowering Communities for Effective Self-Advocacy,” brought together 37 participants, mostly women, who engaged in discussions on early detection, stigma reduction, and community support.
Participants described the training as both enlightening and empowering, noting that it had deepened their understanding of the genetic causes and social impact of sickle cell disease.
Some commended the Foundation for focusing on women and children, the groups most affected by the burden of care, and for its inclusive approach to education and advocacy.
Mr. Ofori concluded with a message of hope, reminding the public that “sickle cell is not a death sentence” and that individuals living with the condition—whom he referred to as “warriors”—could lead productive lives with the right care and societal support.
He called on government agencies, healthcare providers, and philanthropists to join hands with ESECF in expanding awareness, establishing genetic counselling centres, and supporting families living with the condition across the Volta Region and beyond.
