The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed that there is no cholera outbreak recorded following the June 29 floods while urging citizens not to let their guard down as prevention remains vital to avoid a possible health emergency.
The Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, made this known during a disinfection drive at Tema Station Market and the Adabraka Polyclinic on Saturday, July 11. The exercise was carried out together with the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly and sanitation firm LCB Worldwide.
“Thankfully, we have not recorded any cholera cases so far. But prevention must come first. We shouldn’t wait until there’s an outbreak to respond. Managing treatment is very expensive,” Dr. Akoriyea noted.
His comments follow the heavy floods of June 29, which revealed major sanitation problems in many areas across the country. The downpour left piles of garbage, blocked gutters and pools of stagnant water, sparking fears of waterborne diseases.
Dr. Akoriyea said the current disinfection effort is part of wider steps to protect public health after President John Dramani Mahama’s directive for a nationwide sanitation campaign.
He added that cleaning alone in flood-hit areas will not suffice and that disinfecting public places is just as important to stop disease spread.
“Once we are done cleaning, we must move to disinfection and fumigation to prevent cholera, typhoid and other infections,” he said. The nationwide sanitation exercise, held on July 10 and 11, brought together government agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, security forces, businesses and community members to clear waste and dredge drains in flood-affected areas. The goal is to minimise future flooding and safeguard public health.
