The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has confirmed a COVID-19 outbreak at the University of Ghana. He told Parliament that the national disease surveillance system detected a rise in cases linked to the Omicron sub-variant.
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He emphasized that the outbreak remains confined to the university’s campus. Initial cases emerged through Ghana’s influenza monitoring system and were later confirmed by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
In a related briefing, the Minister said 133 confirmed cases of MPOX had been reported across the Western, Greater Accra, and Western North Regions. So far, no hospital admissions or deaths have occurred. Most patients have recovered, with only a few recent infections still active.
To manage the outbreaks, the Ministry has deployed personal protective equipment, test kits, and treatment supplies to health workers. Frontline staff are receiving support, and facilities like the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre are ready to respond if needed.
Grace Ayensu-Danquah, MP for Essikado-Ketan, urged the government to intensify public education. She called for renewed campaigns on mask-wearing and hand hygiene, especially among students.
Minister Akandoh reassured Ghanaians that the situation is under control. “This isn’t 2020,” he stressed. “We understand the virus better, and the Omicron strain, while highly transmissible, tends to be mild. Our systems are ready and alert.”
