Focus on Sickle-Cell Foundation Founder Amos Andoh Calls for Free Genotype Screening for Ghanaian Youth

Amos Andoh, the founder of the Focus on Sickle-Cell Foundation (FoSCel), has called on the Ghanaian government to expand access to genotype screening, particularly for young people. Speaking ahead of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, Andoh emphasized the urgent need for affordable and routine testing to combat the prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD) in the country. While he lauded the government's recent inclusion of newborn screening within the national free primary healthcare program, he argued that further intervention is necessary to ensure that young adults are fully informed about their genetic status before making reproductive decisions. Statistics reveal that approximately 18,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease in Ghana every year. However, Mr. Andoh cautioned that this figure likely represents an underestimation of the actual burden, as many births occur outside of formal healthcare facilities where data collection is limited. By expanding screening programs to include children born in domestic settings and making genotype testing as routine as checking vital signs, the Foundation believes Ghana can achieve a more accurate understanding of the disease's prevalence while improving early diagnosis and treatment outcomes for thousands of infants. A significant hurdle identified by FoSCel is the cost of genotype testing, which often deters individuals from seeking screening. Andoh urged the government to integrate these services more deeply into existing healthcare programs to lower financial barriers. Beyond clinical testing, he stressed the importance of public education, advocating for intensified awareness campaigns targeted at young couples planning for marriage and parenthood. Informed choices, he noted, are the most effective preventive measures against the cycle of sickle cell disease, potentially saving families from the long-term emotional and financial costs of managing the condition. In a direct move to address these challenges, the Focus on Sickle-Cell Foundation has announced a free genotype screening event scheduled for June 19 at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The initiative, coinciding with World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, aims to provide young attendees with immediate access to their genetic information and expert guidance. Through continued collaboration between advocacy groups and the government, Andoh hopes to foster a healthcare environment where every Ghanaian is empowered with the knowledge to make informed health and reproductive choices.