Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has revealed that while Ghana is currently categorized at a "very, very low" risk level for Ebola, the government has preemptively activated strict border screening protocols, isolation procedures, and laboratory testing networks to shield the country from potential cross-border transmission.

Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues on Sunday, June 7, 2026, the minister explained that the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of Ebola as a public health emergency of international concern necessitates proactive action.

With cases currently detected in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Akandoh noted that global risk is categorized into three types; active transmission zones (Type 1), immediate neighbors (Type 2), and distant nations like Ghana (Type 3).

To manage passenger traffic and ensure airtight monitoring at points of entry, the health minister disclosed a shift toward automated detection infrastructure at Accra International Airport.

“When a person arrives at the port, they will take your temperature," Akandoh stated.

"As at the time I went there, they were using this gun thermometer to take the temperature. I've instructed for the thermal scanner so that it will go faster because of the traffic," he stressed.

The minister emphasized that these emergency screening protocols will be applied universally, leaving no room for loopholes.

"These protocols must also be instituted at the VIP section of the airport," he added.

The minister indicated that through the containment protocol, if a traveler flags a high temperature or exhibits secondary symptoms, he will be quarantined.

He clarified that an elevated temperature is not a conclusive diagnosis, but rather a trigger for immediate isolation.

Once isolated from the main passenger terminal, a standby ambulance will transport the individual, and medical teams will extract diagnostic samples.

Ghana’s medical research infrastructure has been fully mobilized to process these samples.

Akandoh confirmed that three domestic reference laboratories possess the full capacity to test for this strain of Ebola; the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), the Reference Laboratory and an additional designated case reference facilities equipped for hemorrhagic viral profiles.

Should a sample return a positive result, the patient will immediately be moved to specialized treatment centers. "I've gone back to inspect all these things, and where there are gaps, I've instructed for them to fill the gaps," Akandoh assured.

He explained that this specific strain of Ebola is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted from animals to humans via direct contact with the droppings, blood, or secretions of infected hosts, specifically tracking back to the fruit bat.

He urged the public to immediately report to the nearest health facility if they experience a sudden onset of symptoms, including; severe headaches, vomiting, muscle pains and unexplained bleeding.

To support clinical efforts, the Ministry of Health has issued a national directive to all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to strictly enforce the reintroduction of public hand hygiene systems.

Ghana activates Ebola response plan as outbreaks surge in DRC and Uganda

All mass public gatherings must immediately restore handwashing stations equipped with soap, running water, and hand sanitizers.

Akandoh sought to reassure the populace that the deployment of these measures is purely preventive, pointing out that Ghana regularly handles similar complex viral threats like Dengue and Lassa fever.

"There's no need to panic," the minister insisted.

"This engagement is not intended to press the panic buttons or to sound alarm bells. No, that is not the purpose... Let us not wait until we detect any case before we start to run around,” he stressed.

VPO