Stakeholder and Community engagement for non-communicable disease training in West Africa
1
1 Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon/ Accra, Ghana
2
2 Department of Nursing and Reproductive Health, University of the Gambia, Banjul, Gambia
3
3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
4
4 Department of Public and Environmental Health, University of the Gambia, Banjul, Gambia
5
5 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
6
6 Department of Family and Community Health, Fred N. Binkah School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Science, Ho, Ghana
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1064
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Stakeholder engagement is critical in curriculum development for non-communicable disease (NCD) training in West Africa. For countries like Ghana and the Gambia, experiencing a growing burden of NCDs, strengthening the capacity of health workers to respond to the steady increase in NCDs has become more important. In view of this, the Capacity Strengthening of Transdisciplinary Education for Non-Communicable Disease Care in West Africa (CAPSTONE) project set out to address this urgent need.
METHODS:
Stakeholder analysis and prioritization were conducted to identify stakeholder groups, their potential roles, interest level and influence on the project at each phase. Stakeholders were engaged between January 2023 and December 2025. Prior to this engagement, needs assessments were undertaken to identify gaps and provide insight into the current situation in Ghana and the Gambia.
RESULTS:
From January 2023 to December 2025,141 stakeholders across Ghana and the Gambia were engaged in eight engagement sessions. Stakeholders included individuals from Government Institutions, Academic Institutions, Healthcare Professionals, Civil Society Organizations, Researchers, Persons involved in curriculum development, Teachers and Students. Stakeholders met to validate the needs assessment. Nearly all stakeholders emphasized an urgent need for capacity building in the area of NCD in Ghana and the Gambia. In the Gambia, all respondents stated the need for a program on NCDs, highlighting training needs at the following levels; CPD, Diploma, Bachelor, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters, Together with stakeholders, six NCD-focused short courses were co-developed and successfully piloted in Ghana, and The Gambia.
CONCLUSIONS:
Effective stakeholder and community engagement played a crucial role in the successful development and piloting of practical, skill-based NCD care education curricula that fits local needs in Ghana and the Gambia.
Stakeholder engagement is critical in curriculum development for non-communicable disease (NCD) training in West Africa. For countries like Ghana and the Gambia, experiencing a growing burden of NCDs, strengthening the capacity of health workers to respond to the steady increase in NCDs has become more important. In view of this, the Capacity Strengthening of Transdisciplinary Education for Non-Communicable Disease Care in West Africa (CAPSTONE) project set out to address this urgent need.
METHODS:
Stakeholder analysis and prioritization were conducted to identify stakeholder groups, their potential roles, interest level and influence on the project at each phase. Stakeholders were engaged between January 2023 and December 2025. Prior to this engagement, needs assessments were undertaken to identify gaps and provide insight into the current situation in Ghana and the Gambia.
RESULTS:
From January 2023 to December 2025,141 stakeholders across Ghana and the Gambia were engaged in eight engagement sessions. Stakeholders included individuals from Government Institutions, Academic Institutions, Healthcare Professionals, Civil Society Organizations, Researchers, Persons involved in curriculum development, Teachers and Students. Stakeholders met to validate the needs assessment. Nearly all stakeholders emphasized an urgent need for capacity building in the area of NCD in Ghana and the Gambia. In the Gambia, all respondents stated the need for a program on NCDs, highlighting training needs at the following levels; CPD, Diploma, Bachelor, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters, Together with stakeholders, six NCD-focused short courses were co-developed and successfully piloted in Ghana, and The Gambia.
CONCLUSIONS:
Effective stakeholder and community engagement played a crucial role in the successful development and piloting of practical, skill-based NCD care education curricula that fits local needs in Ghana and the Gambia.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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