The government has activated surveillance and isolation systems at key border posts to help detect and prevent the spread of the Ebola virus disease in Ghana.
This was disclosed when the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, toured the busy Aflao and Elubo border posts to assess Ghana’s response strategy following an outbreak of the disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-May.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah, who is a clinician and surgeon, pledged swift government action to address identified gaps and strengthen response mechanisms, adding that President John Dramani Mahama had directed the Ministry of Health to ensure the country remains fully prepared for any potential outbreak.
“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 said.
Congo Outbreak
The Deputy Minister’s tour forms part of broader efforts by government to reinforce disease surveillance and response capacity amid rising regional health risks, following Ebola cases reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other central African countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO), in May, declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, underscoring the urgency of Ghana’s preparedness measures to protect citizens and prevent cross-border transmission.
Screening And Isolation Measures
At the Aflao and Elubo border crossings, the Deputy Minister engaged security agencies, port health officials and local authorities, and reviewed screening procedures, isolation facilities and coordination mechanisms designed to detect and contain any suspected cases.
Officials briefed her that screening, surveillance and isolation protocols were already in place, indicating Ghana’s preparedness to respond to potential cases.
However, health and local authorities also highlighted challenges, including inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), limited staffing, and deteriorating infrastructure established during the COVID-19 response period.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah assured that government is moving swiftly to address these gaps, with plans to provide modern, fully equipped border health facilities and increase investment in personnel, logistics and essential supplies to strengthen frontline response 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 during inspections of screening points, isolation centres and municipal health facilities.
Health Security Agenda
The tour forms part of a broader government agenda to strengthen health security, particularly at points of entry where cross-border movement increases the risk of disease importation.
Government has prioritised investments in primary healthcare, disease surveillance and frontline infrastructure, alongside ongoing reforms aimed at improving service delivery and emergency preparedness.
Beyond infrastructure assessment, the visit also sought to improve coordination among key agencies including the Ghana Immigration Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and regional health directorates, while identifying resource and training needs to enhance emergency response capacity.
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