Accra, Ghana — The government has activated surveillance and isolation systems at major border entry points as part of efforts to prevent a possible outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Ghana following recent cases reported in parts of Central Africa.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, disclosed this during a tour of the country’s key border crossings at Elubo in the Western Region and Aflao in the Volta Region to assess Ghana’s preparedness and response mechanisms.
She said the government was taking proactive measures to strengthen disease surveillance and ensure that systems were in place to detect and contain any suspected cases before they spread.
“As a government, it is our duty to ensure that our country and citizens are safe, and that is what we are doing by assessing our response mechanism to this deadly disease,” Dr. Ayensu-Danquah said.
The Deputy Minister added that President John Dramani Mahama had directed the Ministry of Health to ensure the country remains fully prepared to respond swiftly to any potential Ebola outbreak.
Strengthening Preparedness
The assessment forms part of broader national efforts to reinforce disease surveillance and emergency response capacity amid heightened regional concerns following reported Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other Central African countries.
During the tour, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah engaged officials from the Ghana Health Service, Port Health Services, security agencies, and local authorities to review screening procedures, isolation facilities, and coordination mechanisms at the country’s borders.
Officials informed the Deputy Minister that screening, surveillance, and isolation protocols had already been activated, positioning Ghana to respond effectively should any suspected cases emerge.
However, health authorities also highlighted several operational challenges, including inadequate stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE), staffing constraints, and deteriorating infrastructure established during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing Critical Gaps
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah assured stakeholders that government would move swiftly to address the identified shortcomings.
She revealed plans to upgrade border health facilities, strengthen logistics systems, and provide additional resources to frontline health workers and surveillance teams.
“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 while inspecting screening points, isolation centres and municipal health facilities.
The Deputy Minister stressed that effective disease prevention requires strong coordination among all agencies operating at points of entry, including immigration, customs, health authorities, and local government institutions.
Health Security a National Priority
The border assessment reflects the Mahama administration’s broader commitment to strengthening Ghana’s health security architecture and improving preparedness for public health emergencies.
Government has identified disease surveillance, primary healthcare strengthening, and emergency response systems as key pillars of its health agenda.
In recent months, the administration has rolled out initiatives such as the Mahama Cares Programme, the Free Primary Healthcare Policy, and investments in hospital retooling and health workforce development aimed at enhancing service delivery nationwide.
Officials say strengthening border health systems remains critical as cross-border trade and human mobility continue to increase the risk of disease transmission across the region.
Beyond infrastructure assessments, the Deputy Minister’s tour also sought to identify resource needs, training gaps, and opportunities for improved coordination among key institutions responsible for safeguarding Ghana’s public health system.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
