The Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has assured Parliament and the nation that the government is working tirelessly to contain ongoing outbreaks of cholera and meningitis.
Addressing the House on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the Minister provided a comprehensive update on the outbreaks, including efforts to reduce infections and prevent further fatalities.
Hon. Akandoh acknowledged the hard work of healthcare workers across the country, emphasizing that their efforts were crucial in managing the crisis. “Our frontline health workers have shown incredible dedication and resilience in the fight against these outbreaks. We are deeply grateful for their service,” he said.
Cholera, a bacterial infection that spreads through contaminated water and food, has been affecting Ghana for over five months. The outbreak started in Ada West in October 2024 and has since spread to five regions—Greater Accra, Central, Western, Ashanti, and Eastern.
According to Hon. Akandoh, as of February 13, 2025, Ghana has recorded 6,145 suspected cases, with 719 confirmed cases and 49 deaths. However, there is a glimmer of hope. “The situation is improving, and currently, active cases are concentrated in the Central Region,” he noted.
The districts of Agona West and Effutu have been the hardest hit, with 133 new cases and two deaths recorded in the past week. However, the Minister reported a significant decline in new infections, with only 28 active cases currently under treatment.
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with other agencies, has implemented several measures to curb the spread of cholera. These include: Enhanced Surveillance: Increased community case search and contact tracing; Laboratory Strengthening: Improved diagnostic capacity for faster detection; Environmental Assessments: Identifying and addressing sanitation risks; Public Awareness; Campaigns: Educating communities about hygiene and safe food handling; Cholera Treatment Centres: Special units set up to manage cases and Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV): Vaccination campaigns have been conducted in high-risk districts, covering over 850,000 people so far.
Despite these interventions, the Minister admitted that challenges such as poor sanitation and limited access to safe water remain a problem. He urged local authorities to step up enforcement of sanitation laws.
“Cholera persists because of open defecation, unsafe water, and poor hygiene. We need a multisectoral approach to eliminate it,” he stressed.
Meningitis, a life-threatening infection of the brain and spinal cord membranes, has also been a major concern, particularly in the northern regions. The outbreak has been most severe in the Upper West Region, where 129 cases and 16 deaths have been recorded as of February 16.
The hardest-hit districts include Wa Municipal, Nadowli, Wa West, Jirapa, and Nandom. However, the Minister assured the House that new cases are beginning to decline.
“We are seeing positive changes due to our aggressive response strategy,” he stated.
To control the outbreak, the Ministry has taken the following steps: Deployment of Experts: National-level teams sent to support local health workers; Free Treatment: All meningitis patients are receiving free medical care; Emergency Operations Centre: Activated to coordinate response efforts; Increased Public Awareness: Educating communities about symptoms and early treatment and Supply of Essential Antibiotics: Additional medications secured to prevent shortages.
Hon. Akandoh urged the public to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, or confusion.
“Early treatment saves lives. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen before visiting a health facility,” he advised.
In addition to the cholera and meningitis outbreaks, Ghana has also recorded its first case of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus that causes flu-like symptoms.
The case was detected through routine surveillance following global concerns about respiratory infections.
However, the Health Minister reassured the public that the situation is under control.
“We have a strong surveillance system in place, and the risk of HMPV spreading in Ghana is low,” he said.
The Health Minister called on Parliamentarians, local authorities, and the media to support the government’s efforts by educating the public on disease prevention.
“Members of Parliament should help in sensitizing their constituents. The media should also intensify public health education to prevent further infections,” he urged.
He also appealed to municipal and district assemblies to enforce sanitation laws strictly and to ensure access to clean water, proper waste disposal, and food safety.
“We need collective action to eliminate these outbreaks,” he emphasized.