The Upper East Region has activated an emergency response plan, including intensified disease surveillance and public education, in anticipation of a possible cholera outbreak following nationwide alerts from the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was disclosed by the Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. (Med) Braimah Baba Abubakari, during a media engagement in Bolgatanga. According to Dr. Abubakari, although the region has not yet recorded any confirmed cases, proactive measures are critical due to rising cases in five regions — Ashanti, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, and Western — where over 6,400 suspected cases and 49 deaths have already been reported since October 2024.
“Cholera is a highly contagious disease that spreads quickly through contaminated food and water. With the onset of the rains, our focus is on promoting safe hygiene practices, timely health-seeking behavior, and public awareness,” Dr. Abubakari emphasized.
He revealed that education campaigns are ongoing across schools, community information centers, events, and radio platforms to promote proper handwashing, safe drinking water, and the need for early reporting of diarrheal symptoms.
Patience Buahie, Health Promotion Manager with the GHS headquarters, reiterated the importance of preventive behavior.
“Cholera is not just a health issue — it’s about our attitudes. Even households with toilets often prefer open defecation because of outdated perceptions. With the rains, this waste is washed into water sources. We must change that,” she urged.
Jonathan Manu of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate further stressed the need to avoid complacency. “It is no longer enough to focus only on affected regions. Every region must be on high alert,” he said.
The GHS is also collaborating with stakeholders to strengthen Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, while urging the public to boil drinking water, eat hot meals, and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
The regional health team expressed readiness to respond swiftly to any suspected cases and encouraged residents experiencing symptoms such as severe diarrhea and vomiting to report to the nearest health facility immediately.
As part of national efforts, Ghana conducted Oral Cholera Vaccination campaigns in affected hotspots. The Upper East Region’s preventative strategy forms part of a broader national agenda to curb further spread and fatalities.
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