Govt activates surveillance for Ebola threat — Dep. Health Minister
The government has activated surveillance and isolation systems at key border posts to help detect and prevent the spread of the Ebola virus within the country.
This came to light when the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, toured Elubo and Aflao to assess Ghana’s response strategy to the deadly disease that broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-May.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah further pledged swift government action to address identified gaps and strengthen response mechanisms, adding that President John Dramani Mahama had directed the ministry to ensure that the country was ready to respond to a potential outbreak.
“As a government, it is our duty to ensure that our country and the citizens are safe and that is what we are doing by assessing our response mechanism to this deadly disease,” she said.
Congo outbreak
The deputy minister’s tour formed part of the government’s broader efforts to reinforce disease surveillance and response capacity amid rising regional risks, following Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other central African countries.
The World Health Organisation in May declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, underscoring the urgency of Ghana’s preparedness measures to protect citizens and prevent cross-border transmission.
Screening, isolation centres in place
At the busy Aflao and Elubo crossings, the deputy minister engaged border security agencies, port health officials and local authorities.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah also led health and local officials in reviewing screening procedures, isolation facilities and coordination mechanisms designed to detect and contain any suspected cases.
The deputy minister was briefed that officials, screening, surveillance and isolation protocols were already in place, making Ghana ready to deal with potential cases.
However, health and local officials told the deputy minister that critical gaps, including inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), limited staffing and deteriorating infrastructure established during the COVID-19 pandemic, existed.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah said the government was moving swiftly to address these shortcomings, with plans to roll out modern, fully equipped border health facilities and boost investments in personnel, logistics and essential supplies to strengthen Ghana’s frontline defences.
“The government remains committed to ensuring robust surveillance, screening and response mechanisms are in place to protect the health and safety of Ghanaians,” she said during inspections of screening points, isolation centres and municipal health facilities.
