World Vision Ghana Leads Regional Town Hall on NTD Elimination in Oti Region

By, Vivian Adu, Communications Officer

World Vision Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has convened a Regional Town Hall Meeting on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the Oti Region under the theme: “Sustaining Ghana’s Gains in Elimination of NTDs: Strengthening Sub‑National Ownership for Universal Health Coverage and the WHO 2030 NTD Roadmap.”

The meeting brought together regional authorities, development partners, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and community representatives to advance Ghana’s efforts in eliminating NTDs diseases that continue to disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalised populations.

Speaking on behalf of World Vision Ghana, Awurabena Quayeba Dadzie, Health & Nutrition Technical Project Manager, highlighted that addressing NTDs is not only a public health priority but also a development imperative rooted in equity, dignity and sustainable national progress. She expressed the organisation’s appreciation to the Ministry of Health, GHS, the National NTD Programme, the Intra‑Country Coordinating Committee for NTDs and the Oti Regional Coordinating Council for their leadership in promoting strong multisectoral collaboration.

She reiterated that lasting progress in eliminating NTDs requires meaningful community engagement, strengthened behaviour change communication, and the integration of health, WASH and education interventions. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting government-led efforts by amplifying community voices and strengthening systems at both regional and district levels.

Awurabena Quayeba Dadzie noted that lessons from previous town hall engagements in the Western, Volta and Eastern Regions clearly demonstrate that coordinated regional action leads to measurable impact. The Oti Region is well positioned to build on these successes by adapting proven approaches to its specific needs.

Delivering his remarks, the Oti Regional Health Director, Dr. Kofi Amo-Kodie, called for increased support from private sector partners, philanthropists and development organisations to sustain ongoing interventions. He emphasised the need for a water treatment facility to improve WASH conditions an essential requirement for breaking the cycle of NTD transmission and appealed for additional resources to accelerate efforts toward achieving national elimination targets.

The event also marked the official outdooring of the Oti Regional NTD Ambassador, Beatrice Obiri Nortey, who pledged to work closely with stakeholders to raise awareness, mobilise community participation and champion the region’s NTD agenda. She encouraged sustained collaboration to ensure communities remain informed, engaged and empowered in the prevention of NTDs.

Participants discussed key priorities, including strengthening sub‑national ownership, integrating NTD interventions into district development plans, supporting Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaigns and enhancing environmental health and sanitation enforcement. They stressed the importance of cross-sectoral action involving traditional authorities, local government structures, education, security agencies and the media.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to deepening collaboration, strengthening community-level mobilisation and advancing Ghana’s momentum toward the WHO 2030 NTD elimination targets. Stakeholders affirmed that with strong leadership, adequate resourcing and sustained advocacy, the elimination of NTDs in the Oti Region and across Ghana is attainable.