Ghana Launches First Sickle Cell Preconception Screening Project

Published on 2025-01-16 In a significant stride towards combating sickle cell disease (SCD), the Sickle Cell Condition Awareness Advocates (SICCA), in collaboration with the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, has introduced Ghana's inaugural Sickle Cell Pre-Conception Screening Project. Under the theme "Sickle Cell is Preventable; Know your Sickle Cell Status," the initiative aims to enhance public awareness through counseling, particularly targeting the youth, and to promote pre-conception screening for informed family planning decisions. The project's objectives include: Collaborating with social activists and organizations sharing similar goals. Raising funds to support SCD patients unable to afford medical expenses. Assisting in establishing specialized clinics and support groups. Organizing workshops for health professionals and the public to deepen understanding of SCD. Speaking at the launch, Deputy Health Minister Tina Gifty Naa Ayeley Mensah highlighted the pressing need for such initiatives, noting that Ghana and other West and Central African nations have SCD carrier rates between 20 to 30 percent. She emphasized that approximately 16,000 Ghanaian babies are born with SCD annually, underscoring the importance of comprehensive clinical, educational, social, and psychological support for affected individuals and their families. Ms. Charllotte Owusu, Founder of SICCA, announced that the pilot phase will commence in the Greater Accra Region, focusing on screening final-year Senior High School students to empower them as advocates for pre-conception screening. This pioneering project represents a proactive approach to reducing SCD incidence in Ghana, aiming to alleviate the physical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with the disease. For more information, visit the Ministry of Health's official announcement.