Ghana has intensified surveillance at its borders and health facilities following a rise in Ebola cases and deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with authorities stepping up measures to prevent the possible importation of the virus.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said surveillance systems have been activated at airports, other points of entry and health facilities to ensure suspected cases are detected early and contained.
According to the Minister, Ghana has also strengthened its testing and response capacity through collaboration with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the procurement of essential reagents and equipment.
He said the country is prepared to respond swiftly should an imported case be detected, while expressing hope that Ghana records no cases.
The Minister stressed the need for early detection and rapid containment, noting that Ghana’s preparedness measures are intended to prevent the virus from spreading within the country.
He also called for stronger cooperation among African countries, particularly in sharing health information, expertise and technology.
Mr Akandoh said countries should not wait for outbreaks to occur before mobilising resources and strengthening their health systems.
He further advocated increased local production of essential medical supplies and a coordinated regional response to infectious disease outbreaks.
The Minister commended the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) for its role in coordinating responses to health threats but urged countries in the sub-region to deepen their collaboration.
He said experiences from previous health emergencies, including COVID-19, Marburg and Mpox, demonstrate the importance of maintaining strong surveillance and preparedness systems even before outbreaks occur.