During the 2014–15 West African Ebola outbreak, Ghana was deemed a high‑risk country but recorded no cases, Global Health Leader at the KCCR, Prof John Amuasi, told Joy News’ PM Express on Monday.
Speaking to host Kofi Agyei, Amuasi called Ghana’s escape “fortunate” and questioned whether airport temperature checks could actually detect infected travellers. He explained that screening only flags people with possible symptoms such as headaches, fever or a generally sick appearance, but testing is required to confirm Ebola.
Amuasi highlighted how quickly the disease crossed borders, noting Nigeria’s July 2014 outbreak began after an infected traveller from Liberia arrived, while Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone bore the greatest burden. The wider epidemic continued into 2016, with 28,610 reported cases and 11,308 deaths across those three countries, according to the US CDC.
He urged that monitoring travellers after arrival deserves greater attention, suggesting mandatory check‑ins for basic signs every two to three days. “It’s going to be a bit painful, but maybe that’s a more efficient thing, better thing to do,” he said, ruling out mass testing of every arriving passenger as impractical.
With no confirmed or suspected case in Ghana at the time of the interview, Amuasi stressed public awareness, especially among people entering the country. “Right now, given that there is no confirmed or even suspected case in the country, there is really nothing more to do than make people aware,” he added.
