The Ghanaian Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed stricter Ebola preparedness measures across the country, following inspections of key national response facilities, including the Accra International Airport Port Health Unit, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and the Ga East Infectious Disease Centre.
This development was contained in a notice issued by the Ministry of Health, Ghana, outlining new public safety requirements tied to disease prevention and control efforts.
During his visit to the Accra International Airport, the Minister reviewed passenger screening processes and called for immediate upgrades. He directed the deployment of advanced temperature scanners and improved passenger flow systems to strengthen monitoring at entry points.
He also distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to health workers and stressed that all travellers must comply with screening protocols without exception.
At the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the Director, Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, assured the Minister that the facility has the capacity, laboratory tools, and technical manpower to respond to suspected cases. She also disclosed the establishment of a dedicated sample receipt centre to improve handling and processing of specimens.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr Fiona Braka, praised Ghana’s preparedness framework covering border screening and laboratory diagnosis. She urged swift testing of suspected cases, noting that confirmation should be achieved within 24 hours, while calling for sustained public alertness.
At the Ga East Infectious Disease Centre, the Minister reviewed the facility’s readiness level, stating that it remains equipped to manage any outbreak based on prior emergency response experience.
Although no Ebola case has been recorded in Ghana, Hon. Akandoh urged citizens not to lower their guard and advised strict observance of preventive actions, including hand hygiene, avoidance of handshakes, and prompt reporting of symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding.
“There is no cause for panic, but we must all play our part,” the Minister stated, underscoring that collective responsibility remains Ghana’s strongest defence against any potential outbreak.