Ghanaian musician, Okyeame Kwame, has called for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s Hepatitis policy and the development of a long-term public education strategy to tackle the disease more effectively.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Wednesday July 23, he emphasised that Ghana’s current approach to Hepatitis control is inadequate and overly reliant on short-term campaigns tied to World Hepatitis Day.
He described this as a “fire service” approach that fails to sustain awareness and drive meaningful change throughout the year.
Okyeame Kwame argued that the country’s Hepatitis policy, developed over six years ago, is outdated and no longer meets the demands of the current public health landscape.
He called for a new policy document that reflects recent data, prioritises year-round interventions, and strengthens collaboration with media and other stakeholders.
“To help the WHO communicate Hepatitis conversation properly, we need the media and we do not have to use this same ‘fire service’ strategy where once the happens in July, we all come and quench it and go back to our businesses.
“So we need a year roll-out plan. The Hepatitis policy that we have in Ghana also about six years ago, I think it is getting old. We need to revamp it. We need a new policy document. We need government to show a bit more interest. But I think that currently what we need is to forge a bit more media partner,” he stated.
As part of his ongoing efforts to raise awareness and support testing and prevention, Okyeame Kwame is funding a Hepatitis B screening and vaccination exercise scheduled for July 25 at Kasoa Old Station.
He has been at the forefront of Hepatitis advocacy in Ghana, using his platform to push for improved education, testing, and access to treatment, while urging government and civil society to treat the issue as a long-term public health priority.
BY JULIANA ODAME ASARE
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