E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (EHASS) - ISSN 2720-7722

INTRODUCTION
This special issue emerged from a National Conference hosted by the Christian Service University (CSU), Kumasi Ghana from the 23^rd to 24^th February 2023 on the theme ‘Addressing the Increasing Health Challenges in Ghana: Exploring Diverse Perspectives.’  Scholars from different institutions within Ghana and beyond had a discussion on this very important subject. Given the relevance and importance of the subject of discussion, CSU has decided to publish some of the papers in the E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (EHASS) Volume 5 Issue 10 special issue.

THE PROBLEM
The increasing health challenges in recent time globally, Africa and, specifically, Ghana raises concerns given the negative repercussions and threats these health challenges pose to the populace and economies at large. Therefore, there is the urgent need to identify ways of addressing these challenges in the hope of reducing the menace.

This is crucial, because, a healthy population indicates the quality of human resources of an economy which is also a prerequisite for economic growth and ultimately development. This implies that an economy that has health challenges is likely to have poor human resources and this has the potential of impacting on economic activities and ultimately economic growth and development negatively.

Over the last few decades and in recent times, the cause of most deaths in Ghana and other parts of the world has shifted from communicable diseases (CDs) to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Among these non-communicable diseases, the most popular ones that are claiming more lives are hypertension, stroke, diabetes and cancers.

For instance, Owusu et al. reported that hypertension has been the leading cause of deaths in Ghana.[1] The report indicated that in 2017 hypertension killed 2,243 people and this number increased to 2,472 in 2018. It was further revealed in the report that other major cause of deaths in Ghana are related to heart diseases and diabetes. A study by Attakorah et al. also showed that stroke is the second leading cause of death globally.[2] The study further indicated that about 15 million people suffer from the disease annually and out of this number, 5 million are left disabled and about 5.5 million die annually worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) further iterated that issue of stroke is very dangerous because it occurs every 5 seconds worldwide and this therefore makes the disease a global health problem that needs urgent attention and Ghana is no exception.

The issue of diabetes and cancer in Ghana is no different as indicated by Sasu (2022). For instance, about 5,400 diabetes-related deaths were reported in 2019.[3] Though this number is relatively lower than what was reported in 2010 (over 9000 deaths were reported in 2010), the prevailing numbers are significant which need attention of policymakers and stakeholders. With regard to cancer related issues, about 990 total deaths were reported in 2019 (for liver cancer) .[4] This number shows an increase from 653 deaths in 2018. There is no doubt that these health challenges will definitely shortened the life span of people. That is, these health challenges have the potential of reducing the life expectancy of individuals.

It is worth mentioning that some of these diseases or health challenges could be prevented if the necessary and appropriate healthcare services are sought from professional and certified personnel. However, in our part of the world, the situation is not getting any better partly due to the large number of unprofessional and illegal medical practitioners who lure Ghanaians frequently with their various adverts on television screens, radios, websites and sign posts among others. This has subsequently aggravated the health challenges situation and therefore calls for policy discourse to salvage the situation.

OBJECTIVE OF THE CONFERENCE
From what has been expounded above, it is clear that there are, indeed, health challenges in Ghana that need to be tackled by policymakers and other stakeholders as far as the human resources of the country, economic growth and ultimately development are concerned. More importantly, considering the huge impact of these health challenges on families, communities and nations at large there is the need to brainstorm on how to curb the canker. In this regard, the Christian Service University (CSU), Kumasi, organized a national conference dubbed Addressing the Increasing Health Challenges in Ghana: Exploring the Diverse Perspectives on 23^rd and 24^th February 2023, where experts in the health field, and academia among others shared ideas on these health challenges from different perspectives aimed at controlling these challenges, if it cannot be totally eliminated.

PUBLISHED PAPERS
In the first paper, Rev. Dr. and Rev. Mrs Fosu surveyed the rhetorical use of Sobolo as Yesu Mogya for holistic healing in contemporary Ghanaian Christianity. From a Christian ethical perspective, they caution that the ambiguous use of sobolo as a miraculous drink in the Ghanaian Christian context should not lead to a possible manipulative approach to healing as exclusive means of physical well-being and development of society. They further argue that the cyclical use of sobolo as a healing juice for all and diverse kinds of miraculous healings needs to be questioned in the light of biblical theology.

Secondly, Isaac Boaheng and Clement Amoako opine that poverty is a hindrance to accessing quality healthcare in Ghana. They explain that a greater number of people cannot run to hospitals with quality infrastructure, healthcare equipment, drugs and well-trained health practitioners because it is expensive to access. After analysing data on the issue, they recommend that stakeholders, including the church, should contribute to the provision of quality, accessible and affordable healthcare for all irrespective of one’s financial background or economic status.

On health challenges on crop production and pesticide use in Ghana, Grace Bolfrey-Arku, Joyce Haleegoad and Stephen Arthur, indicate that Ghana has overlooked the obvious on health. They show that although pesticides for crop production are beneficial, inappropriate use or abuse pollutes water bodies, air, soil, and the ecosystem eventually causing severe health hazards. Some side effects of this hazard on both humans and animals, they explain, include burning sensation, catarrh, stomach pain, unconsciousness, itching of eyes, body pains and sexual dysfunction while the greater dermal absorption due to more body fat in women makes them more vulnerable.

In the fourth paper, Anthony Boateng-Agyenim draws the church’s attention to the marginalization of people with disabilities. He stresses that church beliefs and practices have led to ‘healing before integration’ which has separated the abled from the disabled. He argues that a disability-friendly theology must be constructed to guide the church to be disability inclusive which would allow people with disability to participate in the ministries of the church.

Lastly Frederick Mawusi Amevenku addresses the concerns of healthcare delivery among Ghanaian Eυe. From the New Testament, he argues that ᶑagbε is holistic well-being. He argues that the New Testament does not separate well-being from salvation. Amevenku uses Jesus’ life and teachings to show that the kingdom of God is about the holistic well-being of people and indicates that in Jesus there is a fulfilment of God’s ᶑagbε to heal every aspect of the human, spirit, soul, and body.

Healthcare is an issue in Ghana. It is our prayer that readers of this publication will take the content of this special issue seriously. We admonish our readers to share the information gathered here with many others. ‘Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well’ (3 John 1:2).

BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1] Adobea Yaa Owusu et al., “Institutional Mortality Rate and Cause of Death at Health Facilities in Ghana between 2014 and 2018,” PLOS ONE 16, no. 9 (September 8, 2021): e0256515, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256515.
[2] Joseph Attakorah et al., “Current Stroke Burden in Ghana: A Comprehensive Systematic Review Protocol,” 2021.
[3] Doris Dokua Sasu, “Number of Deaths from Liver Cancer in Ghana from 2000 to 2019,” Statista, 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1288364/number-of-deaths-from-liver-cancer-in-ghana/.
[4] Sasu, “Number of Deaths from Liver Cancer in Ghana from 2000 to 2019.”