Ghana hosts two-day Africa CDC regional technical advisory committee meeting

Ghana has commenced a two-day annual meeting of the Regional Technical Advisory Committee (ReTAC) of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Western Africa Regional Coordinating Centre (RCC).

The meeting focuses on strengthening regional health security, preparedness and coordinated responses to public health emergencies.

It provides a platform for technical experts and stakeholders to deliberate on key health security priorities, share expertise and develop practical recommendations to strengthen disease surveillance and emergency preparedness across the region.

Speaking at the opening, the Minister for Health and Chairman of the Africa CDC Western Africa Regional Steering Committee (ReSCO), Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said the meeting was timely as Africa intensifies efforts to strengthen health systems, deepen regional cooperation and advance health sovereignty.

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He said experiences from COVID-19 and Ebola, as well as emerging threats such as mpox, Marburg and antimicrobial resistance, had demonstrated the need for stronger collaboration among African countries, stressing that public health threats do not respect national borders.

Mr. Akandoh called for stronger cross-border surveillance, effective information sharing, resilient supply chains and a well-trained public health workforce.

He added that Ghana remains committed to strengthening disease surveillance, laboratory systems, genomic sequencing and emergency preparedness, while promoting local production of essential medicines, vaccines and diagnostics.

The Minister urged the ReTAC to provide practical and scientifically sound recommendations to strengthen the Western Africa RCC and improve the region’s readiness to respond swiftly and collectively to future health emergencies.

The meeting brings together technical experts from the 15 African Member States in the West African Region, representatives of regional economic communities, key health partners, the Africa CDC Headquarters and the Western African RCC Secretariat to contribute to strengthening regional cooperation and health security.