The Ministry of Health, acting through the Ghana Health Service, has instituted rigorous public health protocols across all international airports in the country.
This decisive move comes in direct response to an ongoing outbreak of Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in several African nations.
Whilst Ghana has not recorded any confirmed cases of the virus, the Ministry has stressed that these measures are vital precautionary steps designed to prevent importation and safeguard national public health.
The newly introduced protocols align directly with commitments solidified during a recent Africa CDC ministerial meeting, which united 55 African member states and over 40 ministers.
Participating nations reached a consensus to enhance cross-border surveillance, enforce targeted preparedness actions, and maintain open borders while prioritising protective interventions against transmission.
Under the guidelines issued by Minister for Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, travellers are mandated to complete Health Declaration Forms prior to arrival, truthfully disclosing any transit through affected countries within the preceding 21 days. Passengers must also report any potential exposure to suspected or confirmed cases, recent visits to healthcare facilities managing the disease, or involvement in burial rites.
Upon touching down, every passenger will undergo mandatory screening by Port Health officers, encompassing non-contact temperature checks and travel history evaluations. Individuals exhibiting symptoms or flagged due to travel history will be directed to designated areas for secondary assessment and temporary isolation. Furthermore, inbound travellers from regions experiencing active transmission will face a 21-day active monitoring window coordinated by the Ghana Health Service.
The hospitality sector has also been drawn into the national surveillance grid, with hotels and conference operators mandated to report guests arriving from affected regions and maintain detailed guest logs.
Emphasising the gravity of the directive, the Ministry cautioned that individuals who deliberately conceal symptoms, provide false information, or resist screening will face strict enforcement under Ghanaian law.
Officials have urged the general public to disregard unverified rumours and rely exclusively on official updates from authorised health authorities.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
