Accra, March 3, – The Epilepsy Pathway Innovation in Africa (EPInA) project has revealed that between 80 and 90 per cent of persons living with epilepsy in Ghana are not receiving appropriate treatment, largely due to stigma and discrimination within communities.
Professor Patrick Adjei, Project Lead and Principal Investigator of EPInA, said stigma—not medicine shortages—was the primary driver of Ghana’s wide epilepsy treatment gap.
He disclosed this at the opening of a two-day meeting on the implementation of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) on epilepsy and other neurological disorders in Ghana. The Plan, adopted in 2022 by the World Health Assembly, provides a framework for Member States to reduce treatment gaps, tackle stigma and inequalities, and strengthen public health responses to neurological conditions.
Professor Adjei explained that anti-epileptic medicines were available at primary healthcare facilities under the National Health Insurance Scheme through the Ghana Health Service. However, many patients avoided seeking care because of fear of discrimination and social exclusion.
“If people feel they are being looked at differently because of seizures, they may avoid health facilities altogether,” he said.
According to the World Health Organization Intersectoral Global Action Plan, the epilepsy treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries averages about 70 per cent. Findings from the Ghanaian study suggest that the national figure could be as high as 90 per cent.
The study also found that caregivers of persons living with epilepsy experienced similar levels of stigma, which negatively affected their social lives and willingness to pursue treatment for affected relatives.
Epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures, affects more than 50 million people globally and is particularly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, an estimated 330,000 people are living with the condition.
Professor Adjei noted that epilepsy prevalence in Ghana stands at approximately 10 per 1,000 people—about one in every 100 persons—indicating that the condition is far from rare.
Medical evidence cited in the study shows that epilepsy is highly treatable. About 60 per cent of patients become seizure-free on a single anti-epileptic medication. Of the remaining 40 per cent, up to 60 per cent can achieve seizure control with two medications. A small proportion may require surgical intervention for identifiable brain lesions. More than 36 anti-epileptic medicines are available globally, with several accessible in Ghana.
Professor Adjei called for intensified public education campaigns through district health systems under the Ghana Health Service to reduce stigma and improve service uptake. He urged persons living with epilepsy to seek medical care and encouraged caregivers to support treatment adherence. He also appealed to faith-based organisations to promote evidence-based treatment and dispel misconceptions.
“Epilepsy is another chronic medical condition of the brain. Anyone can develop it, even after events like a stroke. But it is treatable and, in some cases, curable,” he emphasised.
Professor Felix Akoma Asante, Provost of the University of Ghana representing the Vice-Chancellor, advocated a multidisciplinary approach to addressing the challenge.
Mr Thomas Larbie, a caregiver, described epilepsy care as demanding but manageable with proper knowledge and support. He encouraged caregivers to learn seizure first aid, follow medical advice, remain patient and avoid resorting to superstition in seeking treatment.
The meeting provided a platform to deliberate on epilepsy care pathways, advocacy strategies, service delivery constraints and medicine availability, in line with the objectives of the Intersectoral Global Action Plan.
GHBUSS
3 March 2026
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