Ghana Hosts Regional NTD Summit: West Africa Unites Against Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis

In a pivotal move for public health in West Africa, Ghana is leading a regional assembly focused on combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This event underscores the power of cross-border collaboration to tackle onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), two debilitating NTDs affecting millions.

Introduction

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) like onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis pose significant health challenges in West Africa, causing chronic disability and economic hardship. Ghana has taken a leading role by hosting a three-day regional summit from November 25 to 27, 2025, in Accra. Partnering with Burkina Faso, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire, this gathering organized by the Ghana Health Service and supported by Sightsavers International aims to strengthen joint efforts for NTD elimination.

What Are Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis?

Onchocerciasis, transmitted by blackflies near fast-flowing rivers, leads to severe itching, skin lesions, and blindness. Lymphatic filariasis, spread by mosquitoes, causes swelling in limbs and genitals, known as elephantiasis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these NTDs affect over 1.5 billion people globally, with West Africa bearing a heavy burden due to shared borders and mobile populations.

Analysis

The Ghana NTD summit highlights the necessity of regional harmony in NTD control. Diseases like onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis ignore political boundaries, thriving in cross-border communities. The assembly facilitates the exchange of best practices, strategy harmonization, and coordinated interventions.

Key Speakers and Messages

Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service and speaking for the Minister of Health, urged participants to embrace collective responsibility. He stressed sustained, border-spanning actions for elimination, emphasizing “good neighbourliness” and innovation to bolster broader NTD efforts.

Role of Supporting Organizations

Sightsavers International, a key backer, has long supported NTD programs in Africa through mass drug administration (MDA) and vector control. Their involvement ensures technical expertise and resources, aligning with WHO’s 2030 NTD roadmap targets.

Summary

Ghana’s regional NTD assembly in Accra unites West African nations against onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Running November 25-27, 2025, it promotes collaboration among health professionals from Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire. Organized by the Ghana Health Service with Sightsavers support, the event focuses on sharing practices, aligning strategies, and enhancing interventions for at-risk border communities, paving the way for NTD elimination.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For health professionals and communities in West Africa combating NTDs, practical steps emerge from such summits.

Implementing Mass Drug Administration (MDA)

Regular MDA using ivermectin for onchocerciasis and ivermectin plus albendazole for lymphatic filariasis is proven effective. WHO recommends annual or biannual treatments reaching 80% coverage in endemic areas. Summit participants can adopt standardized protocols to ensure equity in border zones.

Vector Control Strategies

Target blackfly breeding sites with larvicides for onchocerciasis and mosquito nets treated with insecticides for filariasis. Community education on hygiene and protective clothing reduces transmission.

Monitoring and Surveillance

Use WHO guidelines for post-MDA surveillance, including transmission assessment surveys (TAS) for lymphatic filariasis. Digital tools for real-time data sharing across borders enhance responsiveness.

Points of Caution

While progress is promising, NTD elimination faces hurdles.

Challenges in Cross-Border Control

Migration and porous borders complicate coverage. Loiasis co-endemicity in parts of West Africa risks severe adverse events from ivermectin, requiring pre-treatment screening.

Sustainability Risks

Donor fatigue and supply chain disruptions threaten MDA continuity. Climate change may expand vector habitats, demanding adaptive strategies.

Community Engagement

Misinformation can lead to treatment refusal; robust awareness campaigns are essential.

Comparison

This Ghana-led summit aligns with prior regional NTD efforts but stands out for its focus.

Versus Other West African Initiatives

The Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) in 15 countries has scaled MDA, treating millions since 2016. Ghana’s event builds on ESPEN by emphasizing sub-regional coordination among four neighbors, differing from broader pan-African forums like the 2022 African Leaders Malaria Alliance NTD side events.

Global Benchmarks

Colombia eliminated onchocerciasis in 2013 through 18 years of MDA. Ecuador followed in 2014. West Africa’s summit draws lessons from these, adapting to higher prevalence and multi-country dynamics.

Legal Implications

No direct legal mandates arise from the summit, but it supports international frameworks. The International Health Regulations (2005) require cross-border notification of public health risks. WHO NTD guidelines encourage bilateral agreements for MDA in border areas, as seen in Ghana-Togo protocols. Participants reinforce commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Health and Well-being), with no reported legal disputes.

Conclusion

Ghana’s hosting of the West Africa NTD summit marks a bold step toward eliminating onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. By fostering collaboration, sharing innovations, and committing to equity, these nations are building resilience against NTDs. Sustained action promises healthier communities, economic gains, and a model for global NTD control. As Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe noted, unity across borders is key to a NTD-free future.

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