Ghana steps up Ebola surveillance amid rising cases in Africa

Ghana has bolstered its surveillance measures at entry points and healthcare facilities in response to a surge in Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh disclosed that the nation has activated its surveillance systems at airports and various entry points to swiftly detect and contain any imported cases.

The country is collaborating with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and has facilitated the procurement of essential testing reagents and equipment to bolster its testing and response capabilities. Akandoh stated that while Ghana hopes to avoid any Ebola cases, the country is fully prepared to identify and contain any suspected infections at entry points before they can spread.

The minister emphasized the importance of regional cooperation among African nations to bolster preparedness and prevent the cross-border transmission of outbreaks. He urged countries in the region to enhance information sharing, expertise exchange, and technology use instead of waiting until outbreaks occur to mobilize resources.

Akandoh also stressed the need for African countries to bolster local production of essential health commodities and establish a coordinated regional response system. He praised the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) for its coordination efforts but called for deeper collaboration among countries within the sub-region.

The Minister highlighted the importance of early detection, rapid containment, and sustained preparedness, drawing lessons from previous health emergencies such as COVID-19, Marburg, and Mpox outbreaks.