A scoping review of the health and health-related sustainable development goals (HHSDGs) in Ghana: progress and challenges

Abstract

Background: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 prioritises the promotion of equitable health outcomes and universal health coverage. In Ghana, there is limited information on the current implementation progress and challenges of the health and health-related SDGs (HHSDGs). The aim of this review was to conduct a situational analysis of the HHSDGs in Ghana whilst providing in-depth and updated literature on their implementation progress and challenges.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review guided by the Arksey and O’Malley framework. The Population, Concept and Context (PCC) framework was used to select literature. Peer-reviewed and grey literature with data collected between September 2015 and October 2022 were used. Exclusion criteria included non-HHSDG topics and studies outside the timeframe. Data were retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, EBSCOhost and grey literature sources. The process yielded 37 peer-reviewed articles and 14 grey literature records, comprising 11 organisational reports from websites, 2 theses, and 1 blog post. Systematic screening, guided by the PRISMA-ScR, and quality appraisal, using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, were performed. Thematic synthesis was employed for the analysis of the data.

Results: Health and wellbeing (SDG 3), climate change and climate action (SDG 13), gender equality (SDG 5), zero hunger (SDG 2), and clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) were the identified HHSDGs. Mental health emerged as a key HHSDG, although not a stand-alone SDG. Our review indicates that Ghana has made progress in meeting some critical HHSDG targets, with further work needed to meet all targets. Ghana has made important progress toward the HHSDGs, including improvements in infectious disease control, access to clean water, gender equality initiatives, and the adoption of health innovations. Also, Ghana has significantly reduced the prevalence of overweight in children underfive. However, significant gaps remain in maternal and child health, mental health, sanitation, universal health coverage, and food security. These gapsare driven by persistent structural and socioeconomic barriers.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for strengthened policies and targeted interventions to accelerate Ghana’s progress toward achieving the HHSDGs by 2030.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-25985-y.

Keywords: Climate change; Gender equity; Ghana; HHSDGs; HRSDGs; LMIC; Mental health.

Fig. 1

PRISMA-ScR flow chart of literature search and identification of eligible studies and records

Fig. 2

Distribution of eligible peer-reviewed articles by study setting

Fig. 3

Distribution of eligible articles by year of publication

Fig. 4

Distribution of eligible studies by HHSDG

Fig. 5

Distribution of studies on HHSDG Progress and Challenges