Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has made a passionate appeal for an "all-hands-on-deck" national awareness campaign.

He urged political commentators and the media to prioritize public health over partisan politics to keep Ghana Ebola-free.

Speaking on TV3's Hot Issues on Sunday, June 7, 2026, the minister outlined the government's phased communication strategy and confirmed that Ghana has not recorded any cases of the virus to date.

Detailing the government's Ebola Preparedness Plan, Akandoh explained that the Ministry is deploying a top-down approach to ignite public awareness before handing the reins over to public health experts.

“The strategy is that the leaders in the Ministry will start a conversation, just like we have started,” Akandoh stated.

“My deputy, myself, my directors, the CEO for National Health Insurance, the director general, we'll start a conversation to attract the attention of the public. Then we leave it for the technical people to continue. That is one of our strategies,” he said.

The minister took a direct swipe at the highly polarized media landscape, challenging media houses to proactively educate the public on individual-level precautionary measures rather than waiting for a crisis to score political points.

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

“The other strategy is the media must get interested. You don't wait till it is worse before you come and criticise us. Let's all be part of the measures,” Akandoh urged.

“So, at least sometimes you can lower the politics and speak about health a little bit... Because without life, you can't do politics. Without good health, you can't do those programmes you are running,” he added.

Pointing to neighboring trends, Akandoh noted that Uganda has successfully managed to contain a cross-border scare involving a patient traveling from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - proving that rigorous surveillance and early containment work.

He reassured citizens that Ghana’s health infrastructure is fully prepared and warned against the spread of fake news and sensationalism aimed at inducing panic.

“Everybody has a role to play. So, the ordinary Ghanaian, your responsibility is also to adhere to the protocols or to the instructions or information we are giving. Don't go and pick any information from the roadside,” the Minister cautioned.

“Listen to the Ministry. Listen to Ghana Health Service. Listen to the committee for us to give you the right information... We are on top of issues and the good news is that we have not recorded any Ebola case as of now. So, let’s take precautionary measures to ensure we keep Ebola at bay,” he stressed.

MRA/VPO

BREAKING: Two rescued, one in critical condition after building collapse at Avenor