The Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has told Ghanaians that no Ebola case has been detected in the country or elsewhere in West Africa, even as government steps up prevention efforts after the World Health Organisation (WHO) labelled the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Speaking to the nation in Accra on Thursday, May 21, the Minister called for calm but emphasised the need for increased caution and strict compliance with safety rules to stop any potential outbreak in Ghana.
“Dear countrymen and women, the Ministry of Health over the past one week has issued two publications on Ebola. Last week, WHO declared Ebola as a public health emergency of international concern,” he said.
Mr. Akandoh noted that Ebola is an extremely dangerous viral illness passed through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, secretions, or contaminated items.
“Ebola is a viral disease spread through direct contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and contaminated surfaces or materials,” he stated.
He cautioned that anyone with symptoms like sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding should urgently visit the nearest health centre.
“People experiencing symptoms such as sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding should immediately report to the nearest health facility,” the Minister advised.
Despite rising global worry over the outbreak, the Health Minister stressed that Ghana remains free of the disease.“It is important to note that no cases have been recorded in West Africa, including our dear country, Ghana. However, it is said prevention is always better than cure,” he said.
The Ministry of Health has already released public notices urging citizens to practice consistent hand hygiene and follow safety measures, especially during public events and large gatherings.
As part of the intensified prevention drive, Mr. Akandoh asked Ghanaians to regularly wash their hands with soap under running water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
“One, practice good hand hygiene. What this means is that we should wash our hands frequently with soap and running water or use hand sanitizers,” he said.
He also instructed event organisers to ensure handwashing points and sanitizers are easily accessible. “During mass gatherings, please also practice good hand hygiene and event organizers should provide hand washing stations and hand sanitizers,” he added.
The Minister further reassured the public that government is actively tracking the situation and boosting readiness measures nationwide.
“Dear countrymen and women, it is important to stress that presently the risk is low in Ghana. I would like to use this opportunity to assure everybody that the government is taking all the necessary measures to protect us all,” he said.
The WHO recently declared the Ebola outbreak in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths were recorded.
Although the outbreak is currently limited to Central and East Africa, health authorities globally have raised surveillance over fears of cross-border spread.
In Ghana, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service say surveillance, screening, preparedness, and response systems have been strengthened at health facilities and entry points to protect public health.
