The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has urged Ghanaians to temporarily suspend handshakes and strictly adhere to hand hygiene protocols following the World Health Organisation’s declaration of the recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
“I know it is our tradition to shake hands, especially if you are a public figure. It is difficult to avoid because of our culture, but at this point in time, for all of us to stay safe, let us avoid handshakes for now,” he stated.
Speaking during an inspection tour at Ghana’s airport, the Minister noted that although there were currently no confirmed Ebola cases in the country, Ghana must remain vigilant and prepared.
Mr Akandoh further urged the public to wash their hands regularly with soap under running water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
Organisers of mass gatherings have also been directed to provide hand-washing facilities at event venues.
He added that travellers arriving in Ghana would be subjected to mandatory health screening protocols.
The Health Minister noted that he was impressed with the preventive systems already in place at the airport but called for improvements to make screening procedures faster, more efficient, and less intimidating.
He specifically directed that handheld thermometer devices be replaced with walk-through thermal scanners.
“Psychologically, it is safer because the handheld thermometer feels like someone is pointing a gun at your head,” he explained.
He also suggested that preliminary screening should begin along airport corridors before passengers reach designated screening booths to reduce congestion and improve efficiency.
Mr Akandoh stressed that the enhanced preventive measures are purely precautionary and not a response to any detected local outbreak.
“It is very important to stress that we have not detected any case. There is no need for panic. Nobody should panic. These measures are intended to ensure that if a case emerges, we will be able to contain it and limit the spread,” he said.
The Health Minister also appealed to all travellers to comply with port health protocols, irrespective of their social status or position.
“This disease does not respect status or authority. We have issued clear instructions that nobody is above the disease, nobody is above the rules, and everybody arriving in the country must comply with the established health protocols,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service have indicated that surveillance, screening, and national preparedness efforts will continue to be reviewed and strengthened as the situation evolves.
BY TIMES REPORTER
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