The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has assured the public that Ghana has not recorded any cholera outbreak following the June 29 floods, but has warned that urgent preventive measures are necessary to prevent a possible public health crisis.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, gave the assurance during a disinfection exercise at Tema Station Market and the Adabraka Polyclinic on Saturday, July 11.
The exercise, carried out in partnership with the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly and sanitation company LCB Worldwide, formed part of efforts to protect communities affected by the floods and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases.
“Fortunately, as of now, we don’t have any registered cholera outbreak. But prevention is key. We don’t need to wait for an outbreak before acting. Treatment is extremely costly,” Dr. Akoriyea said.
His comments follow concerns over sanitation challenges caused by the heavy floods, which left several areas with accumulated waste, stagnant water and blocked drains — conditions that could increase the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
Dr. Akoriyea explained that the government’s response goes beyond clearing waste, stressing that disinfection and fumigation are necessary steps after clean-up activities.
“After cleaning, the next step is disinfection and fumigation to avoid outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and other illnesses,” he noted.
The disinfection campaign follows the nationwide clean-up exercise held on July 10 and 11, which brought together government agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), security services, businesses and residents to clear flood-affected communities and desilt drains.
The initiative was part of broader measures aimed at improving sanitation, reducing flood risks and protecting public health in the aftermath of the disaster.
