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Health Minister addresses Parliament on Long-term measures to address rising monkey pox cases
In an address to Parliament, the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, emphasized the growing concern over the re-emergence of monkeypox in the country.
He recalled that Ghana recorded its first cases during the 2022 global outbreak, confirming 128 cases and four deaths between 2022 and 2023.
An additional five cases were reported in 2024. Zunotic diseases such as Monkeypox, he noted, remain a significant global public health concern.
The current outbreak began on May 13, 2025, with two confirmed cases identified in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.
As of June 9, a total of 85 cases have been recorded across 10 regions and 30 districts, greater Accra, Western, and Western North regions are most affected.
According to the Minister, the government responded promptly with a structured, multiple approach at all levels.
This approach includes improved coordination, enhanced surveillance, strengthened laboratory services, effective case management, risk communication, and the activation of public health emergency teams.
“These teams are fully operational, ensuring the availability of essential logistics such as personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect frontline health workers “he stated.
The Minister attributed the rise in monkey pox case detection to better surveillance systems, expanded testing capacity, and rigorous contact tracing.
However, he warned that to sustain this progress, it is vital to replenish essential laboratory supplies.
To further control the spread of the disease, the Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has intensified public education efforts.
Through partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the media, preventive messages are being amplified nationwide.
“Mr. Speaker,” the Minister stated, “while we address the current outbreak, we are also laying the groundwork for long-term preparedness.”
These long-term measures include building capacity, pre-positioning logistics, sustaining integrated surveillance, exploring innovative financing mechanisms, and considering targeted vaccination for high-risk groups.
The Health Minister respectively urged the Members of Parliament to support ongoing efforts by promoting key preventive messages and supporting health directorates within their constituencies.
He concluded that “I wish to assure this honorable house and the people of Ghana that the health sector remains fully committed to containing this outbreak.”
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
