Many young Ghanaians are struggling with diabetes and hypertension, which threaten their health, livelihoods, and productivity. Trudy Nartey, 45, was diagnosed with diabetes in her twenties, and her experience has reshaped her working life. She previously worked at a private company, where she frequently requested permission to attend medical appointments and receive treatment. Her employment was eventually terminated due to these repeated requests, leaving her unemployed for almost two years, struggling to afford medication.
For workers with chronic conditions, employment can determine whether continuing treatment remains affordable. Trudy's story exposes a difficult intersection between healthcare and economic security. When income disappears, the need for medication does not. Kwesi Yeboah Nketiah, 31, discovered his hypertension through a frightening medical emergency. He felt dizzy and collapsed before being rushed to hospital, where he was admitted for several days while his blood pressure was managed. He was diagnosed with hypertension during that admission.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that the number of people living with diabetes worldwide rose from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022. In 2022, approximately 14 per cent of adults aged 18 and older had diabetes. Hypertension is equally concerning, with the WHO estimating that 1.4 billion adults aged 30 to 79 were living with the condition in 2024. Around 44 per cent were unaware they had it, while only about 23 per cent had their blood pressure under control.
Ghana's figures reinforce the urgency of the situation. The 2023 WHO STEPwise Approach to Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) survey found that 21.7 per cent of adults aged 18 to 69 had hypertension, while 5.2 per cent had raised blood glucose. More than half of adults with elevated blood pressure had not previously been diagnosed. Meanwhile, figures from Ghana's Ministry of Health, reported by Graphic Online in September 2026, showed 577,374 recorded hypertension cases in 2025, down slightly from 583,720 in 2024.
Dr Abdul Wahab Agbeve, Director of Agbeve Hospital at Sowutuom, warned that diabetes and hypertension can undermine workplace productivity, increase healthcare expenditure, and impose financial and psychological burdens on patients and their families. He explained that one of the major health concerns associated with the two conditions is their potential to damage the kidneys. Diabetes can harm the small blood vessels responsible for filtering waste from the blood, while prolonged, uncontrolled hypertension can damage kidney blood vessels and impair their function.
The economic consequences of diabetes and hypertension extend beyond hospital bills. Medical appointments, periods of illness, and hospital admissions can interrupt work schedules, while serious complications may affect a person's ability to perform usual duties. Employers may face staffing pressures and additional costs. Workers, meanwhile, may worry about lost earnings, job security, and the long-term affordability of treatment. Yet chronic illness does not automatically make someone an unproductive employee, and with appropriate care and reasonable workplace support, many people living with diabetes or hypertension continue to work effectively.
Dr Agbeve emphasised the importance of healthier dietary habits, public awareness, and appropriate medical care in preventing and managing diabetes and hypertension. He highlighted that early diagnosis, treatment, and regular medical follow-up can help reduce the risks of complications, although outcomes vary from person to person. For employees, access to medical care and the flexibility to attend appointments can make a significant difference in managing chronic conditions. For employers, supportive workplace policies can help retain experienced workers while reducing avoidable disruptions associated with poorly managed illnesses.
Key points
- The number of people living with diabetes worldwide rose from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022.
- Ghana's 2023 WHO STEPS survey found that 21.7 per cent of adults aged 18 to 69 had hypertension.
- Diabetes and hypertension can undermine workplace productivity, increase healthcare expenditure, and impose financial and psychological burdens on patients and their families.
