The directive, which was issued by the Dr Fred Adomako-Boateng, the Regional Director of Health Services, forms part of efforts to eliminate NTDs, as Ghana joins the rest of the world to mark the day on Friday.

World NTD Day is observed annually, to raise awareness about NTDs and their impact on communities worldwide. The day aims to mobilise global efforts to control, eliminate and eradicate these diseases, which affect over 1.5 billion people, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions.

This year's celebration is on the theme: "Unite. Act. Eliminate," and emphasises the need for collective action to end NTDs.

The day is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and supported by various global partners, including governments, Non-Governmental Organisations as well as private sector organisation.

In Ghana, there are 14 NTDs that are managed by respective programmes under the Ghana Health Service.

They include Buruli ulcer, Guinea worm, Human African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Leishmaniasis, Leprosy, Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), Onchocerciasis (river blindness), Rabies, Scabies and other ectoparasites, Shistosomiasis (bilharzia), soil-transmitted helminthiasis (worms), Snakebite envenoming, Trachoma and Yaws. Majority of NTDs in Ghana have been mapped, with some eliminated as diseases of public health importance, while others have made progress and on the verge of elimination.

Following the directive by the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Health Information Officers in various districts have been visiting community information centres and local radio stations to educate the public on NTDs.

The goal is to raise awareness about the diseases to enable the public to adopt preventive measures and seek appropriate and timely treatment.