Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has assured Ghanaians that the country is fully prepared to detect and respond to any potential Ebola outbreak, despite recording no confirmed cases of the disease.
The Minister gave the assurance during an inspection of screening and emergency response measures at the Accra International Airport, where he assessed the country’s readiness to prevent the importation and spread of the virus.
Mr. Akandoh urged the public to remain calm, stressing that government has strengthened surveillance and response systems to safeguard the country against Ebola and other infectious diseases.
He explained that with no specific treatment or vaccine currently available for the Ebola strain of concern, early detection, effective contact tracing and rapid containment remain the most important tools for preventing transmission.
As part of the preventive measures, the Minister disclosed that thermal scanners have been installed at the airport to screen arriving passengers for symptoms that could indicate infection.
He further revealed that the Ministry of Health is finalising electronic health declaration forms that will require travellers to submit relevant health information before entering Ghana.
According to him, the digital platform will assist health officials in assessing passengers and identifying individuals who may require further screening or investigation.
Mr. Akandoh said an official announcement on the implementation of the electronic declaration system would be made soon, after which airlines and airport authorities would be expected to ensure compliance by all incoming passengers.
He also indicated that designated facilities have been prepared for isolation and treatment should any suspected or confirmed case be identified.
“We are ready, and we are praying we don’t record any case, but if we do, we are ready to do the needful,” the Minister stated.
Mr. Akandoh emphasized that all arriving passengers must comply with screening protocols, regardless of their status, to ensure the effectiveness of the country’s disease prevention measures.
He further disclosed that government is expanding screening capacity at land borders as part of broader efforts to reinforce Ghana’s public health security architecture and strengthen the country’s defenses against infectious disease threats.
The assurance comes amid heightened surveillance across the region as health authorities continue to monitor developments and maintain preparedness against potential Ebola outbreaks.