The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has inaugurated a national steering committee to oversee the use of a World Bank-supported fund, as Ghana faces concurrent outbreaks of Mpox, cholera, and meningitis.

The 13-member committee is expected to guide Ghana’s preparedness and response to public health threats, working with urgency, transparency, and accountability, as the minister described them.

At the inauguration in Accra on Friday, June 14, 2025, Mr Akandoh outlined the health emergencies confronting his ministry since he assumed office.

He cited an ongoing meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region and a resurgence of cholera in parts of the Greater Accra and Central regions.

“Upon assuming office, I was immediately faced with a meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region, as well as a resurgence of cholera in parts of Greater Accra and the Central Region,” Mr Akandoh said in a Ministry of Health statement.

“Ghana is also currently battling an outbreak of Mpox, with over 85 confirmed cases.”

International support for public health emergencies

The World Bank fund is coordinated globally by the World Bank with technical support from the World Health Organisation (WHO). It aims to help countries prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies through targeted investments.

Mr Akandoh explained that the fund will support improvements in public health workforce capacity, laboratory infrastructure and disease surveillance systems. These, he said, are among the most pressing gaps in Ghana’s health response.

The National Steering Committee includes representatives from the ministries of health, finance, gender, environment and agriculture, as well as civil society and development partners.

“The Minister urged the committee to serve as a driving force in translating policy into concrete action, guided by principles of transparency and accountability,” the Ministry’s statement said.

WHO pledges support

Dr Sofonias Asrat, Cluster Lead for Universal Health Coverage at the World Health Organisation, delivered remarks on behalf of the UN agency and pledged continued technical assistance to Ghana’s health authorities.

Dr Asrat commended the government’s recent Joint External Evaluation and said the committee’s work could help improve future readiness and response to disease outbreaks.

He encouraged the committee to uphold transparency and broad engagement in carrying out its duties.

“The leadership of this committee is essential to Ghana’s ability to manage future public health threats,” Dr Asrat said.

Multiple outbreaks strain health systems

The establishment of the committee comes at a time when the country is managing multiple health emergencies.

The Mpox outbreak, with more than 85 confirmed cases, is of growing concern. The renewed spread of cholera in parts of Accra and the Central Region has also drawn attention to longstanding issues with sanitation and access to clean water.

In the Upper West Region, the meningitis outbreak has added to the ministry’s workload.

The region is prone to meningitis outbreaks, particularly during the dry season, and limited access to health facilities in some areas poses challenges to response efforts.

Strengthening early warning systems

The initiative is part of a broader effort to shift from reactive responses to early detection and readiness. Officials said attention would be given to improving laboratory networks, surveillance systems and the capacity of frontline workers to deal with future emergencies.

Mr Akandoh said the Ministry is committed to ensuring that the committee works openly and with public accountability.

He added that regular updates would be provided on how funds are used and what progress is being made.