Ghana’s battle against the ongoing Mpox outbreak has received a significant boost following a donation of critical medical and public health supplies from the World Health Organisation (WHO), even as the country intensifies calls for global assistance in acquiring vaccines.
The donation—valued at $36,700—includes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers, 780 GeneXpert cartridges to improve diagnostics, and more than 9,000 risk communication materials designed to bolster community awareness and behavioural change.
While the supplies are expected to reinforce Ghana’s public health response in the short term, Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, used the occasion to highlight a growing concern: the urgent need for vaccines to effectively curb the spread of the virus.
“These supplies are timely and deeply appreciated, but without access to vaccines, our response remains incomplete,” Mr. Akandoh stated. “We call on the international community to assist us in bridging this critical gap.”
WHO Endorses Ghana’s Efforts
Presenting the items, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Prof Mohamed Yakub Janabi, commended the Ghanaian government for its proactive response and affirmed the organisation’s continued support.
“Ghana has shown commendable leadership in managing this outbreak, and WHO stands ready to work alongside the country to strengthen its health systems,” Prof Janabi said.
The donation includes 40 pull-up banners and thousands of printed materials aimed at promoting risk communication, one of the pillars of public health emergency response. Authorities hope the increased public education will encourage early detection, reduce stigma, and improve preventive behaviour.
Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure
Beyond the emergency response, the Ministry of Health reiterated its broader commitment to fortifying public health systems to withstand future outbreaks. Mr. Akandoh stressed the importance of sustained stakeholder collaboration and continuous public vigilance.
“We are not just responding to an outbreak. We are also building a resilient health system to protect the Ghanaian people now and into the future,” he said.
Vaccine Equity Now in Focus
As global health experts warn of the continued spread of Mpox across parts of West and Central Africa, Ghana’s appeal for vaccines adds to a growing chorus of African nations calling for equitable access to medical interventions.
With the support from WHO and other partners, Ghana hopes to maintain its early containment success—but authorities warn that time is of the essence if the outbreak is to be decisively controlled.
