BY GRACE ZIGAH
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed that approximately 450 suspected cases of yellow fever were recorded across Ghana between June and September 2026, with the Upper West Region accounting for 74 of the suspected cases.
Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s Health Sector Update Engagement in Accra, Akandoh said laboratory testing had so far confirmed three cases in the Upper West Region.
He explained that although health professionals may identify symptoms or determine that a death could be associated with a particular disease, confirmation through laboratory testing remains necessary before such cases can officially be classified as yellow fever.
“As of Tuesday, the suspected cases were around 450 from June to September. Out of that, 74 were from the Upper West and three were confirmed from Upper West,” he said.
The Minister said government had intensified disease surveillance and response measures, particularly in northern Ghana, in response to the suspected cases.
He noted that laboratories had been equipped with the necessary reagents to facilitate the detection and confirmation of suspected yellow fever cases.
Rapid response team deployed
Akandoh disclosed that a National Rapid Response Team had been deployed to the Upper West Region following the confirmation of cases.
He said designated areas within district hospitals had also been isolated to facilitate the management of people suspected or confirmed to have the disease.
The measures, he explained, form part of government’s efforts to strengthen early detection, case management and containment while investigations continue.
The Health Minister urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with health authorities, stressing that several measures had already been put in place to manage the situation. He also appealed to the media to report the development responsibly and avoid creating unnecessary fear among the public.
“We don’t have to press the panic buttons. So let’s the media, please, let’s handle it well, there are a lot of things that have been deployed,” Akandoh said.
