A professor of medicine and nephrology at the University of Ghana, Prof. Vincent Boima, has raised concern over the growing burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Ghana, revealing that more than five million Ghanaians may be living with the condition.
According to Prof. Boima, approximately 13.3 per cent of Ghana’s population is affected by kidney disease, with many patients falling within the productive age group of 20 to 50 years.
Speaking on the issue, the renowned nephrologist disclosed that people of Akan origin face a significantly higher genetic risk of developing the disease.
He explained that findings show 37.2 per cent of Akans carry two high-risk variants of the APOL1 gene, compared to 19 per cent among people of Ga origin and 17 per cent among people from the Volta Region.
Prof. Boima noted that the APOL1 gene originally evolved to protect Africans against sleeping sickness but now increases vulnerability to kidney disease.
He stressed the need for increased public awareness, early screening, and preventive healthcare interventions to help reduce the growing burden of chronic kidney disease in the country.
