The Government of Ghana has introduced enhanced Ebola screening and monitoring measures at all international airports as part of efforts to prevent the deadly disease from entering the country amid an ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus in parts of Africa.
The measures, announced by the Ministry of Health through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), require all arriving passengers to undergo health screening, declare relevant travel and exposure history, and provide information to facilitate monitoring by health authorities.
In a statement signed by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on November 3, 2026, the government said the measures were precautionary and intended to minimise the risk of Ebola being imported into Ghana and spreading through international travel.
The statement stressed that Ghana had not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Disease as of the date of the announcement.
Under the new arrangements, all arriving passengers will be screened by Port Health officers through non-contact temperature checks, a review of health declaration forms, travel history and additional questions about possible symptoms or exposure where necessary.
Passengers must also declare whether they have travelled to or transited through Ebola-affected countries within the previous 21 days. They are further required to disclose any close contact with suspected or confirmed Ebola patients, visits to health facilities managing Ebola cases, participation in funeral or burial rites involving suspected cases, and contact with blood or other bodily fluids of infected persons.
The government has also introduced a 21-day monitoring requirement for passengers arriving from countries experiencing ongoing transmission. According to Mr Akandoh, the Ghana Health Service will contact such travellers for follow-up, while they will be required to maintain accessible contact details and immediately report any symptoms to designated health authorities.
Passengers who exhibit symptoms suggestive of Ebola, have recently travelled from or through affected countries, or may have been exposed to an infected person will be referred for immediate secondary assessment. They will be taken to a designated area for temporary isolation and evaluation before being referred to a health facility where necessary.
The measures also extend to the hospitality industry, with hotels, conference venues and similar service providers directed to report guests arriving from affected countries to the nearest district health directorate of the Ghana Health Service. They are also required to maintain records and contact details of persons who access their facilities while such guests are accommodated.
The Minister warned that passengers who deliberately provide false information, conceal symptoms or refuse to comply with screening requirements would be subject to public health measures under Ghanaian law.
He urged all arriving passengers to cooperate fully with Port Health officers, provide truthful travel and health information, follow screening instructions and practise frequent hand hygiene. Travellers experiencing fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding or bruising have been advised to postpone their journeys and seek immediate medical attention.
The announcement follows commitments made at a recent Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) ministerial meeting, which brought together representatives of all 55 African member states, including more than 40 ministers.
At the meeting, member states agreed to strengthen preparedness, cross-border surveillance and border-point monitoring while keeping borders open and investing in measures to prevent disease transmission.
Mr Akandoh said Ghana’s measures were consistent with these continental commitments and would be reviewed as the public health situation evolved.
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to rely on official information from the ministry and the Ghana Health Service rather than circulate unverified reports. Anyone with health concerns has been advised to contact the nearest Port Health officer at the airport or visit the nearest health facility.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
