The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has directed the Navrongo Health Research Centre and the Kintampo Health Research Centre to step up research efforts to address the persistent seasonal meningitis outbreaks affecting communities within Ghana’s meningitis belt.
The directive was issued during a high-level visit by the GHS leadership to the two institutions to assess their preparedness and deepen collaboration in tackling the recurring public health challenge.
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Dr. Akoriyea emphasised the need for urgent, evidence-based research to identify the underlying drivers of the outbreaks, noting that a clearer scientific understanding is essential to developing sustainable interventions that will reduce infections and prevent avoidable deaths.
According to him, while Ghana has made progress in surveillance and response, the continued seasonal pattern of meningitis cases demands more targeted research to inform policy decisions, vaccination strategies, and community-level prevention measures.
He further charged the centres to leverage their expertise and long-standing contributions to public health research to generate actionable findings that will strengthen national response systems and improve health outcomes in vulnerable regions.
The visit also sought to reinforce collaboration between research institutions and public health authorities to ensure that data and innovations translate into practical solutions for affected populations.
Seasonal meningitis outbreaks remain a major concern in northern Ghana, particularly during the dry season, when environmental conditions heighten transmission risks. Health authorities believe enhanced research will play a critical role in breaking the cycle of recurring outbreaks and safeguarding at-risk communities.
GHS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the two research centres with the needed coordination and resources to lead the fight against meningitis and improve epidemic preparedness nationwide.
