The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed the strengthening of Ghanaโs Ebola preparedness measures following a comprehensive inspection of key national response points, including the Accra International Airport (AIA) Port Health Unit, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and the Ga East Infectious Disease Centre.
The tour began at the Accra International Airport, where the Minister assessed screening protocols for arriving passengers. While expressing satisfaction with the measures currently in place, he directed immediate improvements, including the deployment of advanced temperature scanners and enhanced passenger flow systems to strengthen surveillance at the countryโs entry points.
As part of efforts to boost frontline preparedness, the Minister presented Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to health personnel and emphasised that all travellers, regardless of their status, must comply fully with screening procedures.
At the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the Director of the Institute, Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, assured the Minister that the facility is fully equipped with the required expertise, reagents, and laboratory equipment to respond effectively to any suspected case. She also highlighted the establishment of a dedicated sample receipt centre to ensure the safe and efficient handling of samples.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr Fiona Braka, also commended Ghanaโs preparedness systems, from screening at entry points to laboratory diagnosis. She emphasized the importance of rapid testing, stating that suspected cases should be confirmed within 24 hours, while urging the public to remain vigilant due to the seriousness of the disease.
The Ministerโs final stop was at the Ga East Infectious Disease Centre, where he noted that the facility remains fully prepared to respond to any potential outbreak, drawing on its experience in managing previous public health emergencies.
Although Ghana has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case, Hon. Akandoh urged the public not to take the situation lightly. He called for strict adherence to preventive measures, including regular hand hygiene, avoiding handshakes, and the early reporting of symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding.
โThere is no cause for panic, but we must all play our part,โ the Minister stated, underscoring that collective responsibility remains Ghanaโs strongest defence against any potential outbreak.
