Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has directed the strengthening of Ghana’s Ebola preparedness measures following inspections of key national response facilities, including the Accra International Airport Port Health Unit, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Ga East Infectious Disease Centre.
During a visit to the Accra International Airport, the Minister assessed screening protocols for arriving passengers and ordered the deployment of advanced temperature scanners and improved passenger flow systems to strengthen surveillance at the country’s entry points.
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He also presented Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to health personnel and stressed that all travellers must comply with screening procedures.
At the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the Director, Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, assured the Minister that the institute has the expertise, reagents and laboratory equipment required to respond to suspected Ebola cases.
She also highlighted the establishment of a dedicated sample receipt centre to ensure the safe handling of samples.
The World Health Organisation’s Country Representative, Dr Fiona Braka, commended Ghana’s preparedness systems and emphasised the need for rapid testing, noting that suspected cases should be confirmed within 24 hours.
The Minister also visited the Ga East Infectious Disease Centre, where he said the facility remains ready to respond to any potential outbreak.
Although Ghana has not recorded any confirmed Ebola cases, Mr Akandoh urged the public to observe preventive measures, including regular handwashing, avoiding handshakes, and promptly reporting symptoms such as fever, vomiting and unexplained bleeding.
He also stressed the importance of handwashing facilities at public gatherings as part of efforts to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
