The Minister for Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has commissioned Ghana’s first Public Health Operations Response Centre, established by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at Pantang, to strengthen emergency preparedness and response.
The Centre, which was handed over to the Ghana Health Service through the Ministry of Health, is also expected to enhance the use of real-time data and improve decision-making during outbreaks.
Mr Akandoh in his remarks, said “Effective coordination is critical in managing outbreaks, adding that the new Centre will support not only national operations but also cross-border collaboration across the sub region and the continent.’’
He assured partners that the Centre would be well-maintained and used for its intended purpose.
The Regional Director of the Western Africa Regional Coordinating Centre of the Africa CDC, Dr. Kokou Nouwame Ahinon, noted that the facility is central to the continent’s “7-1-7” target, detecting threats within seven days, notifying within one day, and organizing early response within seven days.
He said the Centre provides the tools and connectivity countries need to link District, Regional and National levels, as well as collaborate with other member states, adding that Africa CDC is proud to support Ghana with equipment and capacity to strengthen its emergency readiness.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
