As Ghana approaches its upcoming elections, the Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development-Ghana, the Ghana NCD Alliance, and other health-focused Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) call upon citizens, stakeholders, politicians, political parties, CSOs actors, the media, and religious and traditional leaders to prioritize peace as a foundation for sustaining our healthcare system.
Instability has far-reaching consequences on health and well-being, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as children, women, and persons living with chronic diseases. Globally, over 1.3 billion people live in fragile and conflict-affected settings, where health systems are overstretched and ill-equipped to respond to the needs of the population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), instability exacerbates the prevalence of preventable diseases, increases mortality rates, and deepens health inequities. Countries experiencing conflict often face severe interruptions in healthcare delivery, with cascading effects on public health outcomes.
In neighboring countries where political unrest has unfolded, health services have been severely disrupted. For instance, in Sudan, the ongoing conflict has led to a near collapse of healthcare infrastructure, leaving millions without access to basic health services including food and clean water. Similarly, countries like Syria and Yemen have witnessed skyrocketing rates of maternal and child mortality due to prolonged instability. These global patterns underscore the urgent need for Ghana to safeguard its peace to prevent similar health crises.
The health care system is already challenged and any unrest will exacerbate the situation. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to healthcare disruptions during unrest. According to the 2023 UNICEF Child Health Report, interruptions in immunization services can lead to increased cases of measles, malaria, and malnutrition among children under five. The report emphasizes that children in conflict zones are three times more likely to die from preventable diseases than their peers in stable environments.
Patients living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer etc. are disproportionately affected by instability. Interruptions in the supply chain of essential medicines and healthcare access can lead to severe complications and higher mortality rates.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that health system disruptions due to conflict can cost countries up to 20% of their GDP. In Ghana, instability during the election period could result in billions of cedis in lost healthcare expenditure, which could further strain the fragile system.
Ghana has long been a beacon of peace in the region, therefore the peace must be nurtured, sustained and protected, especially during critical periods like the upcoming elections. The link between stability and health cannot be overstated. Without peace, health systems will falter, and the lives of countless Ghanaians, particularly women and children, will hang in the balance.
We, therefore, call on:
1. Political Leaders to prioritize dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful resolution of disputes to ensure a conducive environment that will continue to guarantee effective healthcare delivery.
2. Citizens to commit to peaceful elections, recognizing that national stability directly impacts their socioeconomic development, health and wellbeing.
3. The Media to promote fair reportage and messages of peace and emphasize the importance of stability in sustaining health and development.
4. Religious and traditional leaders to step forward as moral compasses and voices of reason, guiding their followers and communities towards peaceful coexistence. We urge them to lead with messages of hope, reconciliation, and spiritual accountability, reminding all that peace is divinely mandated and central to the teachings of faith. Let their platforms inspire forgiveness, understanding, and love, emphasizing that societal harmony reflects the will of God and ancestral values.
Peace is not just a political or social ideal; it is a health imperative as such we urge all stakeholders to recognize that maintaining peace is essential for a healthier, more prosperous Ghana. Together, let us protect our stability and build a resilient healthcare system that serves every Ghanaian, regardless of circumstance.
We, therefore, urge every Ghanaian to see peace as a collective responsibility, divinely inspired and socially essential. Together, let us safeguard our nation’s stability and build a resilient healthcare system that serves every individual, regardless of background or circumstance. With God’s grace and our collective efforts, a healthier, more prosperous Ghana is within our reach.
Labram M. Musah
National Coordinator, Ghana NCD Alliance
Executive Director, Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development