COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE AGSM 2026

Monday, 23rd February 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 32ND ANNUAL GENERAL AND SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF THE PAEDIATRIC SOCIETY OF GHANA (PSG) HELD AT THE EASTERN PREMIER HOTEL, KOFORIDUA, FROM 5TH TO 7TH FEBRUARY 2026

We, the members of the Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG), having deliberated on the theme “Leaving no child behind: advancing equitable health care for children and adolescents with non-communicable diseases” and other relevant issues, at our 32nd Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM), state the following:

1.Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Children and Adolescents in Focus
Children and adolescents continue to suffer a double burden of disease, both communicable and noncommunicable. However, efforts towards managing the latter remain dire, resulting in increased morbidity and deaths among the group. The burden of NCDs falls unequally, with poverty and poor health-seeking behaviours having an adverse effect on outcomes. We therefore call upon the Government and key stakeholders to integrate paediatric NCDs in the national health plans, strengthen the health workforce and expand health financing and insurance, such as NHIS and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, to ensure coverage of diagnostics, screening and essential medicines/care (e.g erythropoietin, insulin, hydroxyurea, factor concentrate, cancer care and full dialysis care for children and adolescents. We also entreat the Government and key stakeholders to build capacity at District hospitals and polyclinics for basic NCD care and referral.

2. End Stigma on Children with NCDs:
The PSG calls for an end to the stigma associated with asthma, sickle cell disease, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy and other NCDs in children and adolescents. The Society urges communities to support and protect affected children and adolescents. PSG emphasizes the importance of adherence and compliance to the management plan both at home and in school settings. Caregivers, parents, teachers and general society should recognize early warning signs and danger signals of these conditions, monitor children’s symptoms closely, and actively support children and adolescents to thrive.

3. Devastating Effects of Environmental Degradation and Galamsey
The Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG) reiterates its strong call for the immediate cessation of illegal, environmentally destructive mining activities commonly referred to as “Galamsey”. These activities continue to degrade forests, contaminate water bodies, and destroy farmlands at an alarming rate, posing a grave threat to public health, environmental sustainability, and the well-being of present and future generations. The Society underscores the urgent need for strengthened policy enforcement, enhanced intersectoral collaboration, and active community participation to curb these practices. PSG further calls for deliberate public health interventions to protect children, who are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation, and to ensure a safer and healthier environment for all in Ghana.

4. Research:
The Paediatric Society of Ghana reaffirms its commitment and advocacy to sustained investment in research capacity building as a critical strategy for improving child and adolescent health outcomes and responding effectively to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Ghana. The society recognises that robust research infrastructure, skilled researchers, and evidence-based interventions are essential for addressing the complex health challenges facing Ghanaian children. The PSG calls on government, academic institutions, funding agencies, and development partners to prioritise and support paediatric research initiatives that generate locally relevant data to inform policy, strengthen healthcare delivery systems, and ultimately improve the quality of life for all children and adolescents in Ghana.

A call to action on Leaving No Child Behind
We strongly recommend that key actors prioritize investments in healthcare infrastructure and workforce development, improve partnerships with international organizations, private sector entities, traditional rulers, faith and community-based organizations aimed at offering holistic care for children and adolescents where they need it most. Let’s protect our children, our future, from the devastation of galamsey.

Conclusion
The Paediatric Society of Ghana would like to state that children and adolescents everywhere in Ghana should be able to receive appropriate, effective and responsive health care, with a refocus on noncommunicable disease prevention, treatment and management.

Signed
Dr. Hilda Mantebea Boye
President