Health Ministry Appoints Okyeame Kwame as National Hepatitis Ambassador, Launches Taskforce to Eliminate Disease by 2030

The Ministry of Health has intensified Ghana’s fight against viral hepatitis by unveiling a National Viral Hepatitis Technical Working Group and appointing award-winning musician Okyeame Kwame as the country’s National Hepatitis Ambassador, reaffirming its commitment to eliminate the disease by 2030.

The announcement was made during the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day 2026, held under the theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.” The event brought together government officials, health experts, development partners and civil society organisations to strengthen national efforts against a disease that is estimated to affect nearly 10% of Ghana’s population.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Health, the Ministry’s Chief Director, Desmond Boateng, described viral hepatitis as one of Ghana’s major public health challenges and called for sustained national action to combat the disease.

He announced that the government will expand critical interventions, including the nationwide rollout of the Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine, a major initiative aimed at protecting newborns from infection at birth.

Mr. Boateng also encouraged Ghanaians to take advantage of hepatitis screening services, stressing that early detection and timely treatment are essential to reducing infections and achieving Ghana’s elimination target by 2030.

The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, said the Service is integrating hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment into primary healthcare delivery across the country to improve access and strengthen disease control.

Health experts at the event revealed that an estimated three million Ghanaians are living with Hepatitis B, while more than 500,000 people are infected with Hepatitis C, highlighting the urgent need for increased public awareness, expanded screening and improved access to treatment.

A major highlight of the event was the appointment of Okyeame Kwame as Ghana’s National Hepatitis Ambassador, recognising his more than 15 years of advocacy, during which he has led nationwide awareness campaigns and free hepatitis screening exercises.

As part of his renewed advocacy, the celebrated musician also launched a new awareness song aimed at encouraging more people to get tested while helping to reduce the stigma associated with hepatitis.

Development partners and private sector organisations also reaffirmed their support for Ghana’s hepatitis elimination agenda, pledging to expand access to screening, vaccination and treatment services as the country works toward achieving the World Health Organization’s 2030 elimination target.