Cholera outbreak registered by the Ghana Health Service in November 2024, the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has urged health workers, religious bodies, the media, and other stakeholders to ramp up public education and awareness to stop the spread of cholera.During his visit to the Winneba and Swedru municipal hospitals in the Central Region, the Minister observed a significant decrease in cholera cases, with no deaths recorded in the past three weeks and he conveyed his satisfaction with the hospital’s efforts to set up isolation centers for cholera patients.

Speaking before residents of Winneba, the Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining good hygiene practices, such as eating hot meals, drinking clean water, and washing hands regularly to prevent cholera.He also announced that the government has provided safe and free oral vaccines for cholera prevention, which are available at health facilities in Ablekuma, Awutu, and Cape Coast, emphasizing that the vaccines are safe and added that he had already received his dose publicly in Ablekuma.

The Minister inspired Ghanaians to visit designated health centers to get the free vaccines and urged local radio stations, religious bodies, local government authorities, and the Environmental Protection Agency to support the cholera prevention campaign. He also highlighted the role of health workers, especially those at CHPS, in promoting personal hygiene in marketplaces and community centers.

Assuring Ghanaians that the situation is absolutely under control, the Minister reminded residents to avoid open defecation and indiscriminate disposal of rubbish, as these practices contribute to the spread of cholera. He added that keeping the environment clean and safe is crucial in preventing the disease. The Minister was in the company of the acting Director General of the Ghana Health Service, the WHO country representative, Health Directors, Health Workers and the Media.