Chief of Staff Engages Heads of Tertiary Institutions On Efforts to Prevent Ebola Entering Ghana

The Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Mr Prosper Bani, has urged Chancellors and Heads of all Tertiary Institutions to join forces with the government to ensure that the Ebola outbreak, which has affected four West African nations, does not spread to Ghana.

According to Mr.Bani, there is the need for effective cooperation and coordination of strategy between the inter-ministerial committee constituted by the government and the heads of all tertiary institutions in the country.

The Chief of Staff made the remarks during a key meeting with the heads of the tertiary institutions, including private tertiary institutions at the Flagstaff House on Monday morning.

The meeting was called to seek views and updates from the heads of the tertiary institutions and also strengthen preparatory planning and other measures that are relevant to preventing - or fighting if necessary - the risk of ebola in Ghana and on the various campuses.

The Minister of Health Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah ,announced that Ghana has not recorded any cases of ebola so far.  He stated that the 57 suspected cases reported so far from nine regions, with the exception of the Volta Region, have been tested and proved negative.

The Health Minister gave the assurance that the government has established emergency response units across the country and already trained selected health personnel to man these emergency health facilities.  Emergency expertise is also being provided at all entry points in Ghana, especially at airports.  

Several heads of institutions gave updates on steps they are already taking to prevent ebola entering Ghana, including setting up isolation units on campuses, public education of staff and students, procurement of personal protective equipment, distribution of free sanitisers and improvements in personal hygiene.  

Some of the speakers called for more stringent observation of health procedures at the airports in particular.

The Chief of Staff urged all institutions to establish emergency screening centres, intensify information campaigns on campuses, test simulation orpreparedness exercises, and also be ready to extend their health measures to communities around their campuses. 

Government will provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other logistics to assist all institutions ensure that the ebola virus does not enter Ghana.  

The reopening dates for tertiary institutions will be confirmed and communicated to all institutions shortly.

SOURCE: Office of the President,
Flagstaff House.