Health Ministry marks lead 2025 awareness week

The Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and development partners, with financial support from Pure Earth, has commemorated Lead Awareness Week 2025 under the theme “No Safe Level: Act Now to End Lead Exposure.”

The campaign aims to raise national awareness about the harmful effects of lead exposure and promote coordinated action to eliminate lead in paints, consumer products, and the environment.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr Frank Raji noted that lead exposure continues to pose a serious public health risk, especially to vulnerable groups.

“Lead exposure remains a serious public health risk to children, pregnant women and workers,” he said.

He explained that lead poisoning can cause severe and irreversible health effects, including developmental delays, learning disabilities, brain damage, and damage to vital organs such as the kidneys.

“Lead exposure carries significant social and economic costs, diminishing human productivity and impeding sustainable development,” he added.

Mr Raji further highlighted that this year’s celebration underscores the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to preventive health, stronger regulation, and cross-sector collaboration.

“This year’s celebration underscores the Ministry’s commitment to advancing preventive health measures, strengthening regulation and fostering multi-sectoral partnerships to achieve a lead-free and healthier Ghana,” he said.

Delivering remarks at the event, Dr Fiona Braka, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Ghana, cited data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation to show the global impact of lead poisoning.

“According to the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, over 1.5 million deaths globally in 2021 were due to lead exposure. Most were caused by cardiovascular effects. Lead exposure also accounted for 33 million disability-adjusted life years lost,” she said.

Dr Braka emphasised that children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure.

“Children absorb lead more than adults. This can cause reduced IQ, learning difficulties, and behaviour problems. Lead exposure in pregnant women is linked to miscarriage, stillbirths, premature births, low birth weight, and malformation,” she explained.

She added that WHO, through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative, will continue to support countries like Ghana to build stronger response systems.

“WHO, through the Bloomberg Philanthropies lead poisoning prevention initiative, would support high-need countries, including Ghana, to adopt and implement clinical management guidelines for lead exposure and strengthen national capacities to detect and respond to lead poisoning cases,” she said.

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