Ghana records 3,000 cervical cancer cases in 2024, 2,500 deaths – Deputy Health Minister

Ghana reported about 3,000 cases of cervical cancer in 2024, resulting in approximately 2,500 deaths, Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has revealed.

She made the disclosure while addressing Parliament on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, describing the situation as alarming and attributing the high mortality rate to late diagnoses and delayed access to treatment.

“The mortality rate for cervical cancer is high. We had about 3,000 cases in 2024, but approximately 2,500 of those individuals have died. This is because, by the time we diagnose their condition, it is often too late for effective intervention,” she explained.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah expressed hope that the government’s initiative to provide free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations for children aged 9 to 14 will help reduce future cases.

She noted that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, is intensifying public education and screening efforts to promote early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. Health experts have long warned that cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana, despite being largely preventable through vaccination and regular screening. The government’s rollout of the free HPV vaccine marks a significant step in protecting young girls from the virus that causes most cervical cancer cases, as health authorities continue efforts to curb the rising toll of the disease.

The Deputy Health Minister added that these measures, along with strengthened awareness campaigns, are critical to reducing mortality rates and ensuring that more women receive timely treatment. She emphasized that early detection and prevention remain the most effective strategies against cervical cancer and urged parents to take advantage of the free vaccination program.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah stressed that the government is committed to building a resilient health system capable of tackling preventable diseases, highlighting that these interventions align with broader national efforts to protect public health and safeguard women’s lives.