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Ghana’s Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has moved swiftly to allay public fears following a COVID-19 outbreak at the University of Ghana, assuring both Parliament and the general public that the situation is under control, with no hospitalisations or deaths recorded.
Addressing Parliament on Monday, July 1, the minister revealed that 107 out of 316 suspected cases tested positive for COVID-19.
He noted that all confirmed patients are currently recovering well, with no signs of severe illness.
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“As of today, 1st July, we have 316 suspected cases. 107 of those cases have been confirmed as COVID-19. There are no hospitalisations and, importantly, no deaths,” Hon. Akandoh stated.
“This should give us confidence that the outbreak, though concerning, is being managed effectively.”
The minister clarified that the outbreak is confined to the university campus, specifically among students, and has not spread to the wider Accra area or other parts of the country.
He attributed the surge in cases to recent Hall Week celebrations, which drew large crowds and saw minimal adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols like mask-wearing and social distancing.
Reassuring the public, Mr Akandoh explained that the strain involved is a known subvariant of Omicron, not a new virus. He described it as fast-spreading but typically mild in symptoms, particularly among young, healthy populations like students.
“I want to assure Ghanaians that this is not a new virus, and we are not back to 2020,” he said.
“We’ve seen this variant before. It is mostly mild, and we know how to manage it.”
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health has deployed rapid response teams to the campus, supporting university authorities and local health officials. Other immediate measures include:
- Suspension of all Hall Week activities
- Campus-wide health education campaigns
- Nationwide health alerts to boost vigilance
- Reinforcement of health infrastructure, including resource support to the Legon Hospital and Student Clinic
- Preparedness at the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre for any potential severe cases
Speaking to the Parliamentary Press Corps, the minister added that surveillance has been intensified, and contact tracing is ongoing to prevent further spread.
Hon. Akandoh concluded his address by urging Ghanaians, especially students, to remain calm, follow safety protocols, and report early signs of illness.
“This is a localised outbreak. There is no cause for panic,” he stressed.
“With calm, cooperation, and public health vigilance, we will overcome this too.”
The Ministry of Health says it will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed. For now, officials maintain that there is no immediate threat to the general public.
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