Tuesday, 1st July, 2025
Hon Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Juaboso
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to update this House and through you, the people of Ghana, on the recent development at the University of Ghana that has attracted national attention.
Mr Speaker, while COVID-19 is no longer regarded as a global health emergency, it has not disappeared. Like many other viruses, we anticipate it to flare up occasionally, especially during certain seasons. In recent weeks, our National Disease Surveillance System detected an increase in cases at the University of Ghana. These cases have been traced to a familiar variant, the Omicron subvariant, which we have managed before. It spreads easily, but fortunately, it usually causes mild illness.
Mr Speaker, the recent COVID-19 cases are localised at the University of Ghana community only. I am proud to inform this House that the cases were detected through Ghana’s Influenza Surveillance System and confirmed by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. This national network of sentinel sites operates across all 16 regions. While many countries have scaled down or even stopped routine COVID-19 testing, Ghana has continued to integrate COVID-19 monitoring into its broader surveillance of respiratory viruses. This foresight and commitment to preparedness allowed us to detect the current outbreak easily and respond swiftly. It is a clear demonstration of Ghana’s leadership in maintaining vigilance even at the end of the global emergency phase. This should reassure all Ghanaians that should there be any case outside the University campus, our surveillance system remains active and ready to detect and respond effectively.
Mr Speaker, as of now, out of 316 suspected cases, 107 of those cases have been confirmed as COVID-19. Fortunately, there are no hospitalisations and more importantly, no deaths. So far, the outbreak is limited to the University community. It has not spread widely to other parts of Accra or the rest of the country. As I mentioned earlier, all confirmed cases are recovering well.
Mr Speaker, after sending a team to investigate, we found a few key issues that fuelled the spread. The biggest factor was a recent hall celebration held in the University. These events brought large crowds together with little use of face masks or distancing. Following our investigations, even after the University community became aware, we also noticed a drop in adherence to basic COVID-19 safety protocols and some challenges with contact tracing.
Mr Speaker, when the first signals came in, we moved quickly. Here is what we did. We sent a national team to work with the University and municipal health authorities held meetings with the Director-General of Ghana Health Service, head of Noguchi and the School of Public Health. We issued alerts to all health facilities nationwide. The University suspended all hall week activities, launched a campus-wide education campaign using posters, campus radio and student leaders.
Mr Speaker, what next? We are not stopping there. Additional steps underway include supporting the University of Ghana Hospital and the Student Clinic with more resources, preparing the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre to handle severe cases if any occur, holding face-to-face sessions with student bodies and faculty, providing more Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and training for frontline health workers, enhancing our data tracking in all health facilities, including mapping where cases are coming from, and continuing to test and monitor daily.
Mr Speaker, I want to assure Ghanaians that this is not a new virus and we are not back to 2020. This Omicron variant has been with us before. Yes, it spreads fast, but it is mostly mild and we know how to manage it. We have beaten back bigger waves before and we can do it again with calm cooperation and good public health practices.
Mr Speaker, I wish to clarify that COVID-19 vaccination is no longer part of the country’s routine immunisation programme. Indeed, this is the case in most countries. That said, vaccinations remain one of the important tools that can be used to control the spread of COVID-19 infections and more importantly, prevent severe diseases and deaths. As a result, and in preparation for a potential surge, we have initiated the necessary processes to secure vaccination in-country. This is in line with our policy to protect the health of vulnerable populations, particularly people with underlying medical conditions and the aged, who are more likely to develop more severe diseases.
Additionally, I wish to assure the public that treatment is available for COVID-19. Paxlovid, an antiviral that is taken twice a day for five days only is recommended for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, who have comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. It has proven effective and has minimal side effects.
Generally, Mr Speaker, treatment for those who get infected is based on symptoms. Most people recover at home. For more serious cases, our hospitals are prepared and stocked to provide oxygen therapy and all the necessary care. Mr Speaker, let me also mention that we are seeing a rise in seasonal flu cases, as we do have during the rainy season. These flu symptoms – fever, cough, sore throat – can look like COVID-19, so we urge anyone feeling unwell to go to the nearest health facility. Also, though the number of cholera cases are down, we are still reporting cases, especially during this rainy season. Some of the risks factors for cholera lie beyond the health sector. We urge all to wash their hands with soap under running water, eat food that is hot and drink potable drinking water.
Mr Speaker, you would agree with me that the tackling of cholera goes beyond the health sector; keeping our environment clean is also a very important way of preventing cholera in our country.
Mr Speaker, finally, as of 29th June, we had confirmed 133 cases of Mpox, mostly in the Western, Greater Accra and Western North Regions. It is essential to note that there are currently no admissions and we have had no deaths associated with Mpox outbreak to date. Additionally, except for the cases confirmed in the past week, all affected individuals have fully recovered.
Mpox spreads through close contact and we all need to stay safe. We should avoid close contact with anyone with symptoms suggestive of Mpox, which includes fever, rash, headache and swelling lymph nodes, and protect ourselves by washing our hands regularly with soap and water. Specific to COVID-19, here is what each of us can do to help stop the spread. I must add that most of these universal precautions apply to both flu and COVID-19.
We must wash hands regularly with soap and water, wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated places, stay home when feeling unwell, avoid gathering if we are sick and go to the nearest clinic as soon as we notice symptoms. The Ministry of Health has made sure that our responses are wellresourced. Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), test kits and treatment supplies are all in place. Health workers are being supported and emergency centres like the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre are all on standby.
Mr Speaker, in conclusion, this is a localised outbreak and we are on top of it. There is no need for panic. However, we must remain vigilant and responsible. The Ministry of Health and its agencies remain committed to protecting the health of all Ghanaians, students, workers, families and the vulnerable alike. Let us each do our part to keep our communities safe. Mr Speaker, COVID-19 is not over, but neither is our resolve. May the good Lord bless our homeland, Ghana.
I thank you for the opportunity.
Hon Kingsley Nyarko
Kwadaso
Mr Speaker, I am grateful once again for indulging me to pass a brief comment on the Statement ably delivered by our Minister for Health.
Mr Speaker, it is sad that COVID-19 has resurfaced and I am happy that no lives have been lost. The current Government was in opposition when we were saying that there was the need to keep the COVID-19 Levy because COVID-19, according to the World Health Organisation, was still around. They said no. When they win power, they will remove the COVID-19 Levy.
Now, reality has dawned on us and that the previous administration has been vindicated that the disease is still in existence— Is the Minister now in the position to still keep it or remove it? This is because we were saying that we needed that support to build our health infrastructure, to ensure that we build buffers and the capacity of our health institutions, so that we will be able to deal with this disease and other ones that will emerge in the future but they kick against it.
My concern is that Ghanaians are waiting on him to decide how he is going to deal with this matter. Is he going to remove it or maintain it? Please, keep to your promise. Ghanaians did you the honours by voting for you because of that promise; we want to plead with you to keep it.
On a more Mr Speaker, my major concern is interventions that the Ministry is putting in place to ensure that our children in our schools at all levels, especially those at the basic levels, are kept safe because it is not enough to say that we should be calm. Some Ghanaians and I are going through uneasy calm, so the Hon Minister should convince us on what the Ministry is putting in place to ensure that our children in that school are all kept hale, hearty and safe.
On that score, Mr Speaker, I want to thank you for indulging me once again.
Hon Titus Kofi Beyuo
Lambussie
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to the Statement made by the Hon Minister for Health.
Mr Speaker, I want to begin by commending our indefatigable Minister for Health and the Ministry—Today, I believe every Ghanaian is assured and reassured that we are safe and this Statement has calmed our nerves. The initial media reportage sparked a bit of fear and panic; that is expected because of the devastating effect that COVID-19 had. So, whenever the name of COVID-19 is mentioned, people get worried. But our assurance, today, is coming from the fact that the Hon Minister has given us a comprehensive report that says that, even though 316 suspected cases were reported and about 117 confirmed, there is no hospitalisation.
Secondly, the Hon Minister is making us aware that the health system is on top of the case. They are in total control. They know the specific variant that is causing this outbreak. The outbreak is below epidemic proportion; it has nothing for us to be worried about. It is no reason for anybody to be calling for maintenance or otherwise of a COVID19 levy. Rather, it gives us hope and confidence that there is no cause for alarm.
The Hon Minister went beyond just COVID-19 to also tell us the status of Mpox in the country. I think it is also reassuring that we do not have active cases and there is no hospitalisation. I think the take-home word for every Ghanaian watching us today or following this proceeding is that our surveillance system is robust and that should give all of us confidence that not only COVID-19 but should any other infectious disease get into this country, by whatever means, it will be picked up.
This situation has been detected and it is fully under control. That should give us confidence and I think that we are very grateful to the Hon Minister for responding promptly and for containing the situation at the University of Ghana to keep the rest of the country in peace, calmness and perfect health.
We are grateful. Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon Fred Kyei Asamoah
Offinso North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity and I thank the Hon Minister for Health for the response and update on COVID-19.
While our Hon Member was just talking, he appreciated the fact that COVID-19 has not led to any death or hospitalisation. I would like to know from the Hon Minister for Health some of the lessons learnt from the previous way we managed COVID-19, so that we, as a country, will be able to look forward to properly putting strategies in place for any outbreak that may come.
Because over the past three years that COVID-19 came up, there were some strategies that were put in place and I would like the Hon Minister to give us some updates and some of the lessons that have been learnt. I also want to encourage the Hon Minister that, as a country, we should integrate COVID-19 monitoring, as well as influenza surveillance, to inform medical research in the future because such outbreaks can be coming up.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon Frank Afriyie
Afadjato South
Mr Speaker, I thank you so much. Like my Hon Colleague, Prof Beyuo, I also wish to use this opportunity to thank the Hon Minister for his swiftness and promptness in respect of the response to the current outbreak of COVID-19.
Mr Speaker, it is good to note that we have, today, a Hon Minister who is so agile, very effective and efficient and has moved in swiftly to partner the university community to contain this particular variant. I am glad to know that, once upon a time, while on campus, we all had very joyous moments during hall weeks. A moment like this, we did all kinds of things by intermingling with one another. Rightly as the Hon Minister has observed, it is possible to be a fertile breeding ground for this particular variant.
Mr Speaker, I recall vividly, during the outbreak of COVID-19 under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government, that there was a famous mantra that we can always bring back the economy; what we cannot do is to bring back lives. Mr Speaker, the economy was never brought back to life—Mr Speaker, fortunately, today—
Mr Speaker, fortunately, today, the economy is robust. It is very strong, so, without COVID-19 Levy, we can survive. It is being done. The Hon Minister is actively working. The President is in full flight to handle every sector of this economy, including the health sector.
Mr Speaker, I would only wish to urge the Hon Minister, while concluding, that University of Ghana, particularly the student class, is very active. They might not, after all, have underlying causes, so we cannot use it as a case study to conclude that this particular variant cannot deal us a huge blow. So, we must take every legitimate action to safeguard those within the age brackets or those who are quite old, so we may not go back to the kind of fatalities we experienced during the first outbreak.
I thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity.
Hon Abdul Kabiru Tiah Mahama
Walewale
Mr Speaker, I would like to join my Colleagues to thank the Minister for Health for coming to this particular House to update us on a very serious matter.
Mr Speaker, we all recall, not with relish, that COVID-19 ravaged the Ghanaian economy. Not just the Ghanaian economy, but economies of the world. The impact of COVID-19 is well established that even while the opposition failed to recognise that within or outside the shores of the country, they acknowledge that COVID-19 dealt a blow on the Ghanaian economy.
Mr Speaker, we do not want, wish, or pray that we get to a situation where this situation will rear its ugly heads on the shores of the Ghanaian economy. If we do not take care, COVID-19—And I am not trying to be a scaremonger or raise any alarm, but I am happy that the Minister for Health has now found solace in new expressions like, let us stay calm; this too shall pass. I am happy that he has now found those words worthy of usage because when the former President used those particular words, he was the lead person, as the Ranking Member, who said the President was not doing anything and that he was only giving hope.
I am happy that he is now in the dispatch box trying to give us hope that this thing will not ravage our economy, Mr Speaker, people think they are not vulnerable at the place that COVID-19 has resurfaced, the University of Ghana campus; they are the most vulnerable. These are students, for crying out loud. If the health of those particular students are affected, they cannot learn. We need to do everything within our ability to contain it.
Mr Speaker, someone mentioned that we can live without the COVID-19 levy. Why are we keeping it after we had promised to take away the levy? If we can do without the COVID-19 levy, the Minister for Finance and his Deputy are here, let us bring the Motion so that we scrap it under a certificate of urgency, because from their own words, we do not need that levy. So, we are happy, willing and committed to support the Minister to ensure that there is calm, that we do not scare the Ghanaian people and we do not cause any panic and fear, but we believe that this too shall pass.
Hon Grace Ayensu-Danquah
Essikadu-Ketan
Mr Speaker, thank you for allowing me to make a comment on the Statement of the Hon Minister.
I would also like to take this opportunity to actually commend the Minister. I think what he has assured the public is good; the public is reassured. He has told us that there is only 316 suspected cases and 117 of them have been confirmed. There has been no hospitalisation and no death.
Mr Speaker, the Minister has given us all the series of things he is doing to combat this new resurgence of COVID19 and he has also told us that it is a milder form. In terms of vulnerability that my Hon Member on the other Side mentioned, when we talk about the students in terms of vulnerability, they are at low risk because the virus usually affects people that have comorbidities.
When we talk about comorbidities, we mean people who have other underlying diseases like hypertension and diabetes. So, when it comes to any form of virus or especially, the flu-like viruses, those are the people that it affects the most. So, the students, as long as we have done all the proper surveillance and contact tracing—
The Minister has made sure that their contacts have been traced and they are following up aggressively on the students, I truly believe that they are safe, as the Minister mentioned. We will continue to reassure the country and as the Minister said, he is on top of it; he has this under control. The only thing
I will add is that we have to do public education, in terms of educating the public to go back to social distancing and especially, proper hand-washing.
Those who have respiratory diseases must stay away from other family members and when they are going out, they must ensure that they have face masks. I think that would be the bigger thing to reassure the country.
Again, on this note, Mr Speaker, I would like to really commend the Hon Minister for Health for such a wonderful job and I would call him, “the rapid response Minister”
Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh
Nsawam/Adoagyiri
Mr Speaker, let me join Colleagues to also thank the Minister for making time to be with us and this is what we want. When the Business Statement was presented, we made the call that following the signals—
Mr Speaker, you will bear witness that the Minister for Health should be here. This is just the beginning. Next, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) must be here. This is governance— [Interruption]—I am not veering off. I will speak to the issues.
Mr Speaker, I think I want to thank my Friend, the Minister. In fact, he was early in the Chamber and when he saw me, he related that he was here to deal with the concern. This is a matter that should not be taken lightly. I see people are making their own deductions and statements, but we should not take this thing lightly. We can all appreciate the devastating effect of COVID-19 and the fact that we have not recorded fatality does not mean we should go to sleep.
Mr Speaker, I am happy the Minister ran us through the statistics. Over 300 suspected cases and over 100 confirmed cases. The confirmation of 100 cases cannot be a light matter, especially when it has to do with COVID-19. It is a grave matter. I am a bit worried about some few observations.
Mr Speaker, the Minister should correct me if I am wrong, but I am aware the University of Ghana issued a statement and I thought that, as grave as this matter is, that statement should rather have been issued by the Ghana Health Service (GHS). That is what comes to me. It should have been issued by the GHS and that will confirm that, indeed, our surveillance and monitoring systems are up.
For the University of Ghana to issue a statement, well, they have their independence, but all health directorates or any health sub-body should be working under the Ghana Health Service. So, there is a bit of disconnect there and I want the Minister to advert his mind to a thing like this. I see the Minister came with a full house. The professionals are all here; they should also take this in good stride. We are not criticising them, but these matters are important. Public health is a matter that we cannot take for granted.
Mr Speaker, besides the statistics the Minister has given, he also mentioned that support will be given to the University. I heard him say that. What kind of support? What are the details of it? Is it funding or equipment? The Minister may have to apprise this House. These are the representatives of the people and he needs to go into specifics and details. If he needs more money, this House has the mandate. We will give him more money, with the blessing of the Speaker, so that—
Mr Speaker is also very scared of COVID-19. That I know. I know the Speaker does not want COVID-19 near this House or any of his family. Mr Speaker, speaking to the matters, there should have also been a spirited public education. Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, I have not seen that spirited public education. We have not done that.
Mr Speaker, he sat in one of the seats here when he was the Ranking Member for the Committee on Health. Like by now, he would be in his elements and the media all over the world; BBC, CNN, and everyone will hear of him. This is a grave matter and the Minister — I am happy he has given the statistics, but it is too subtle. We should go down a bit and put out some spirited public education. Because the Minister and I know that we should make hay while the sun shines. And it is important we track this matter down in its lane before it gets out of hand. I pray it does not get out of hand to the extent of what the previous administration experienced. That would be too bad for this country and the economy. Now that we have the mandate and we have a bit of control, let us do more in terms of public education.
Again, this briefing should be sustained. I want to suggest that every two weeks, the Minister he would not listen and he is there concluding. Is he the Minister? Or does he want to be the Minister’s deputy? This reminds me, the Minister has no deputy. His Excellency the President should be reminded that there are four outstanding deputies. Hon Akandoh has no deputy. His hair is getting grey. The man is suffering. One moment, he is at Bolga; the other moment, he is here. The Minister for Health needs a deputy. It will help him.
So, Mr Speaker, I implore your consequential directives; two consequential directives. Firstly, with the threat of COVID-19, more funding should be given to Hon Akandoh. He needs more funds. Then, secondly, every two weeks, he should be meeting our Committee on Health and briefing them. I am not saying he should come to the Chamber, but he should carry the Committee on Health along then the chairperson can come and brief the Plenary. This is important.
This is the first time he has come since the matter broke. We have heard his reassuring words that we should not panic. Yes, but it does not lie in his mouth to tell us not to panic. It is the reality on the ground that will tell us whether we will panic or not. We have over 100 confirmed cases and he says we should not panic. We have over 100 cases— Well, they can say that we had thousands. They are not listening. Would they listen to me? Yes, we had thousands, so they should have a hindsight benefit. They should learn from what we went through and not say that we had thousands and they just have 100. So what? So we should go and sleep? No. We have 100 confirmed cases at Legon alone.
Mr Speaker, look at that. We can do the extrapolation. I am happy that the Majority Leader is here. I have not said that he has had COVID-19, no. I have not said that. Oftentimes, when the Majority Leader presents the Business of the House and we say that Ministers must come to this House, the Majority Leader will do his own thing and say we should file Questions. This one was our instance. I do not know if he would have come if we had not made the call. He would not have come. And now his hair is getting grey. The Minister’s hair is getting grey.
The Akandoh that I know, Mr Speaker, when I was a youth organiser, he was a youth organiser in the Western Region. He did not have grey hair. He is suffering. He needs a deputy. So, having said this, I want to commend my good Friend for coming. But to caution that it cannot be a one-off. We must get the Committee on Health involved in this whole action to track down COVID-19 and the Minister should regularly carry the Committee along so that at least Parliament will be apprised. So, in the absence of he coming to the Plenary to give us a briefing, at least the Committee of Parliament would have been carried along.
Mr Speaker, I pray your outfit to give this consequential directive. And particularly, our own; the Exchequer, Minister for Finance, his is an emergency case, COVID-19. Look at the Hon Minister’s face. Hon Akandoh needs more funding, so that he will come atop the situation and be able to track down this deadly ailment.
Mr Speaker, having said this, I want to thank you for the space and also thank the Majority Leader who heeded our call. But we are not done yet. This is a work in progress. The Bank of Ghana Governor must come. And then the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) Executive Secretary must also come to the Committee of the Whole and brief us properly.
Thank you for indulging me. I am grateful.
Hon Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe
Ada
Mr Speaker, thank you for the opportunity. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Minister for the quick response.
Mr Speaker, COVID-19 has never left Ghana and has never left the whole world. It is at the corner. It is like when we had the first cholera outbreak, the whole world supported but it never vanished. And when it is time for it to come, it will come again.
Mr Speaker, the truth of the matter is that when we got the first malaria outbreak, even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) came to support, we still have malaria in the system. Which means we have to protect ourselves from mosquitoes. So once COVID-19 is around — when the weather is cold, we need to respect the protocols and make sure that we protect ourselves. That is the fact. We should not behave as if it is gone and we will not see it again. Whatever the case, it is around. So let us still respect the protocols. When we are in public, we should have our hand sanitisers, wash our hands, and protect and educate our children. We should not leave our children to go and come and then blame the Minister for the outbreak.
Mr Speaker, when the weather is hot, we still experience some cold. And when the weather is cold, we should expect COVID-19 too. So let us all work together as Ghanaians and ensure that we protect ourselves from it. Let our hand sanitisers be with us. We should be mindful of shaking hands. When in public, we should do whatever it is to ensure that we protect ourselves. We thank God we have a Minister who is very dynamic and vibrant and responds to cases quickly. Because just last week they complained and he is here. We can see this is a Government that is ready to solve problems.
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
AskParly