The spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) beyond the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with cases reported in Kenya and Nigeria, should serve as a wake-up call to Ghana. The development underscores the need for effective surveillance, early detection and emergency preparedness to prevent a potential outbreak from overwhelming the country’s health system.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), as of 26 October 2026, the DRC had recorded 10,141 confirmed cases and 4,928 deaths. Kenya had reported nine confirmed cases, including two deaths, while Nigeria had recorded one imported case.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which no vaccine or approved virus-specific treatment is currently available. The absence of these medical interventions makes surveillance, infection prevention and timely medical care particularly important.
The Chronicle believes Ghana cannot afford to treat these developments as a distant public health concern. Although Ghana has not reported a confirmed Ebola case, the authorities must not wait for an infection to be detected before strengthening preparedness.
We acknowledge the efforts of the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to promote public education and strengthen disease surveillance, including screening arrangements at Kotoka International Airport.
These interventions are commendable. However, Ghana’s preparedness must extend beyond international airports. Ghana shares land borders with Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. The movement of people and goods across these borders presents challenges for disease surveillance.
While airport screening is necessary, the authorities must ensure that adequate attention is also given to major land entry points and vulnerable border communities.
The Chronicle, therefore, urges the Ministry of Health and the GHS to work with the Ghana Immigration Service and other relevant agencies to strengthen surveillance at these locations.
Border health personnel must have appropriate protective equipment, clear procedures for identifying and referring suspected cases, and reliable reporting systems.
Cooperation with neighbouring countries is equally important for sharing information about suspected infections and exposed contacts.
Screening alone cannot guarantee that every infected traveller will be identified. Ebola has an incubation period of between two and 21 days, during which an infected person may not show symptoms. Community surveillance, prompt reporting and effective contact tracing are therefore indispensable.
The quality of disease surveillance data also deserves attention. A study published in 2018 examined 156 suspected Ebola cases submitted to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, during Ghana’s preparedness efforts in 2014 and 2015.
Researchers found that patient locations were missing from 37.8 per cent of case records, while travel histories were absent in 40.4 per cent. Dates of symptom onset were missing in 34.6 per cent of records.
Importantly, all 156 samples tested negative for Ebola. The research identified shortcomings in documentation, not evidence of an Ebola outbreak in Ghana.
Although the findings relate to an earlier period, they provide important lessons for public health preparedness. Missing information can undermine efforts to locate suspected cases, establish travel histories and identify people who may have been exposed.
We urge the GHS to review these findings and determine whether the identified weaknesses have been addressed. Frontline health workers must apply approved case definitions consistently and complete surveillance records accurately. An effective surveillance system depends not only on screening equipment and laboratory capacity, but also on reliable information.
Public education must also be intensified. Previous research in Ghana identified misconceptions about Ebola, including beliefs that it spreads through mosquitoes or supernatural forces. Such misinformation can fuel stigma and discourage people from seeking medical attention.
The Ministry of Health and the GHS should extend education campaigns to markets, churches, mosques, lorry parks, schools and other public gathering places. Traditional authorities, religious leaders and community organisations should help disseminate accurate information.
The public must understand that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected people, contaminated materials and certain infected animals. Symptoms may include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, although these can also occur in other illnesses. Anyone who suspects exposure should promptly seek professional medical guidance.
Hand-washing with soap and water remains important, but it must be accompanied by appropriate infection prevention measures. Public education should also discourage stigma against suspected patients, survivors and healthcare workers.
Ghana must ensure that designated health facilities have trained personnel, adequate personal protective equipment, appropriate isolation arrangements and access to reliable laboratory testing.
Regular emergency exercises should test the country’s ability to identify suspected cases, trace contacts and coordinate responses across health facilities and administrative regions.
The government must also provide adequate financial and logistical support for surveillance and emergency preparedness. Although these arrangements require resources, the human and economic costs of an uncontrolled outbreak could be far greater.
The Chronicle, therefore, urges the Ministry of Health and the GHS to review lessons from previous Ebola responses, strengthen surveillance at land borders and ensure that health facilities remain prepared to respond to suspected cases.
Ghana must not wait for an outbreak to expose weaknesses that could have been addressed in advance. Ebola is real and deadly. The time to strengthen Ghana’s defences is now, not when an outbreak has already occurred.
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