As part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) campaign to raise global awareness about combating the debilitating and deadly Tuberculosis (TB) disease, this year’s World Tuberculosis Day in the Ellembelle District was commemorated at Awiebo-Basake.
This year’s event is being celebrated under the theme: “Yes, We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.”
The event brought together basic school children from the two communities for a quiz competition focused on Tuberculosis-related issues, aimed at educating and informing community members.
The Ghana Health Service also conducted a health screening exercise for residents of the communities to diagnose and treat individuals with Tuberculosis.
Earlier, the school children and health officials from the Ghana Health Service embarked on a float through the principal streets of Awiebo and Basake to raise awareness among community members.
As part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) campaign to raise global awareness about combating the debilitating and deadly Tuberculosis (TB) disease, this year’s World Tuberculosis Day in the Ellembelle District was commemorated at Awiebo-Basake.
This year’s event is being celebrated under the theme: “Yes, We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.”
The event brought together basic school children from the two communities for a quiz competition focused on Tuberculosis-related issues, aimed at educating and informing community members.
The Ghana Health Service also conducted a health screening exercise for residents of the communities to diagnose and treat individuals with Tuberculosis.
Earlier, the school children and health officials from the Ghana Health Service embarked on a float through the principal streets of Awiebo and Basake to raise awareness among community members.
The Deputy Coordinating Director at the Ellembelle District Assembly, Mr. David Madjitey, who was the Special Guest of Honour, stated that Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health concern in middle-income countries such as Ghana, due to poverty, malnutrition, and poor living conditions. These factors continue to take a toll on both individuals and the economy.
He noted that the Ellembelle District has seen significant improvement in TB control, thanks to continuous public education and awareness campaigns spearheaded by the Ghana Health Service in the Western Region and the Ellembelle District.
Mr. Madjitey acknowledged that despite the progress, some individuals—particularly those lacking awareness—continue to be affected by the disease.
He emphasized that TB is both preventable and treatable, highlighting the importance of empowering communities with the knowledge and resources needed to combat the disease.
The Deputy Coordinating Director further stated that every individual has a right to quality healthcare and called for a united effort to eliminate Tuberculosis and achieve a TB-free society.
Mr. Madjitey reiterated that despite the Ghana Health Service’s ongoing efforts to treat TB, there are still people in remote areas who are unaware that the disease is preventable and treatable.
The Western Regional Tuberculosis Coordinator, Mr. Lambert Ankomah, noted that both the World Health Organization and the Ghana Health Service have made preventive medication available for Tuberculosis.
He commended the Ellembelle District Assembly for ranking first in the fight against Tuberculosis last year.
Mr. Ankomah added that the Ghana Health Service will continue to collaborate with the Ghana Education Service to raise awareness about TB through quiz competitions among schoolchildren.
He assured that both the Region and the District remain committed to the fight against the disease.
The Ellembelle District Director of Health Services, Dr. Augustine Amoako, who was represented by the Western Regional Non-Communicable Disease Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Tettey Lartey, said Ghana aims to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) due to its deadly nature.
He emphasized that early symptoms of TB must be reported to health facilities for timely treatment.
Mr. Amoako stated that the district will continue to intensify its outreach programmes to combat tuberculosis.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who was represented by the Ellembelle NDC Communications Officer, Mr. Kwesi Hanson, refuted the misconception that TB patients are accursed.
He commended the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service for their efforts in intensifying education and raising awareness about the disease.
Mr. Kwesi Hanson also praised the school children for their drama sketch and role play in creating awareness about tuberculosis.
The Chief of Menzezor, Nana Akye Blay VII, who chaired the function on behalf of the Ellembelle District Director of Education, Mr. Adodoadji, thanked the Ghana Health Service for hosting the programme at Awiebo-Basake in the Ellembelle District to deepen awareness on TB prevention.
Nana Akye Blay VII urged the health committee in charge of the Awiebo-Basake CHPS Compound to ensure sustainable sanitation practices and to report all ailments to the health facility for proper medical attention.
By Kodwo Nyamekeh
