Keypoints:
- Ghana activates nationwide Ebola surveillance systems
- Border screening intensified after Uganda and DRC cases
- Government recruits 8,000 health workers nationwide
GHANA has activated nationwide Ebola screening and emergency surveillance measures after confirmed and suspected Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases were reported in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to Ghana’s Ministry of Health on May 18.
The measures include enhanced screening at airports, seaports and land borders, increased monitoring of travellers arriving from affected countries and the activation of rapid response systems designed to detect and isolate suspected infections quickly.
The move reflects growing regional vigilance across West Africa as countries strengthen epidemic preparedness systems following lessons from previous Ebola outbreaks that exposed weaknesses in surveillance and emergency response coordination.
Ghana confirms no Ebola cases
Health authorities stressed that Ghana had not recorded any confirmed or suspected Ebola case as of May 18.
In its public alert, the Ministry of Health directed health workers and border officials to remain on heightened alert while reinforcing infection prevention and control protocols across healthcare facilities and entry points nationwide.
A ministry official stated that Ghana remained vigilant and prepared to respond rapidly to any suspected Ebola case detected through surveillance systems.
The latest response builds on systems established during the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which caused more than 11,000 deaths across the region, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Although Ghana avoided recording confirmed Ebola cases during that outbreak, authorities significantly expanded disease surveillance systems, laboratory testing networks and emergency coordination structures.
Ghana has also strengthened infectious disease preparedness following outbreaks including Marburg virus disease and mpox since 2022.
Border surveillance intensified
Officials said surveillance teams had been placed on heightened alert to monitor passengers arriving from affected areas in East and Central Africa.
Additional preparedness measures include specialised training for frontline healthcare workers to improve rapid identification, isolation and reporting of suspected Ebola cases.
Regional health coordination has increased across West Africa, with ECOWAS member states strengthening cross-border disease monitoring systems and emergency operations centres to reduce outbreak risks.
Health experts say airport screening, rapid laboratory testing and community-level monitoring remain central to preventing wider transmission if imported cases emerge.
The WHO has stated that the current Ebola-related risk remains concentrated around affected areas and has not recommended international travel or trade restrictions at this stage.
Recruitment drive supports healthcare expansion
The Ebola preparedness activation comes as Ghana simultaneously expands wider healthcare system strengthening efforts tied to staffing and preventive healthcare delivery.
In a separate update issued on May 14, the Ministry of Health announced that approximately 8,000 health professionals and support staff were being recruited under ongoing financial clearance arrangements linked to the government’s Free Primary Healthcare policy.
According to the ministry, the recruitment exercise prioritises preventive and community-based healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas.
Officials stated that 6,500 nurses and midwives were being recruited, alongside 900 allied health professionals, 250 pharmacy personnel and pharmacy technicians, and 300 physician assistants.
The ministry said regional recruitment allocations were based on staffing gap analyses submitted by the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana and the Mental Health Authority.
Health sector faces staffing pressures
Authorities also acknowledged an inherited backlog of more than 105,000 unemployed health professionals across the country.
Officials stated that additional recruitment phases could depend on future financial clearance approvals from the Ministry of Finance.
Health analysts say the current recruitment programme could strengthen Ghana’s outbreak preparedness capacity by improving frontline healthcare coverage and disease surveillance nationwide.
Public health officials say sustained vigilance and stronger cross-border coordination will remain critical as West African countries seek to prevent another large-scale Ebola outbreak.
