Ghana is grappling with a cholera outbreak that has already claimed 16 lives and resulted in 116 confirmed cases across the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, and Western regions.
To control the spread, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) is advising the public to re-implement COVID-19 hygiene protocols such as frequent handwashing and sanitizing.
Dr. Dennis Laryea, Deputy Director of Disease Surveillance at GHS, highlighted the urgent need for early medical intervention to prevent further fatalities.
“Our concerns have had to do with the death,” he noted. “Quite a number of them were brought in dead, which means they delayed in seeking care.”
On-the-ground reports reveal serious sanitation issues exacerbating the outbreak in affected communities, such as Osu in the Greater Accra Region.
Residents there pointed to inconsistent tap water supply and poor waste management as contributing factors. “One critical issue affecting this community is the inconsistent supply of tap water, which has significantly worsened our sanitation problems,” a resident explained, appealing to authorities to address these gaps.
Another resident voiced concerns about poor waste conditions, adding, “The refuse dump area is in a deplorable condition, which could breed cholera, especially with children playing around and food exposed to flies.”
Dr. Laryea also emphasized that poor hygiene practices continue to drive the outbreak, urging the public to handle food safely and maintain personal cleanliness.
“If people don’t wash their hands with soap and water before eating, or if they don’t wash fruits and vegetables with clean water, the risk of cholera infection is high,” he warned.
