Ghana activates surveillance, isolation systems to counter Ebola threat – Deputy Health Minister

The Government of Ghana has intensified its disease prevention measures by activating surveillance and isolation systems at major border entry points as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus disease into the country.

The move was revealed during a working tour by Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, to the busy border posts at Elubo in the Western Region and Aflao in the Volta Region. The visit was aimed at assessing Ghana’s preparedness and response capacity following recent Ebola outbreaks reported in parts of Central Africa.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah, a clinician and surgeon, said the government is committed to protecting citizens from potential health threats and ensuring the country is adequately prepared to respond to any suspected Ebola cases.

“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 stated.

According to the Deputy Minister, President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Health to strengthen preparedness measures and ensure that all necessary systems are in place to respond effectively to any potential outbreak.

During the inspection, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah engaged officials from border security agencies, port health services, and local authorities to evaluate screening procedures, surveillance operations, isolation facilities, and emergency coordination mechanisms.

Health officials briefed the Deputy Minister that screening, surveillance, and isolation protocols have already been activated at the border posts to enhance early detection and rapid response capabilities.

However, officials also highlighted several challenges that could affect emergency response efforts, including inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), limited staffing levels, and deteriorating infrastructure established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah assured stakeholders that the government would take swift action to address the identified gaps. She disclosed plans to upgrade border health facilities, provide essential logistics and supplies, and increase investments in personnel training and disease surveillance systems.

“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.

The visit forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen health security, particularly at border points where cross-border trade and movement increase the risk of infectious disease transmission.

The Deputy Minister also used the opportunity to strengthen collaboration among key agencies, including the Ghana Immigration Service, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and regional health authorities, to improve coordination and emergency response readiness.

The initiative aligns with the Mahama administration’s wider health sector agenda, which focuses on strengthening disease surveillance, improving healthcare infrastructure, expanding primary healthcare services, and enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to public health emergencies.