ACCRA, Ghana – Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has inaugurated the Pandemic Fund National Steering Committee, tasking the new body with urgently and transparently strengthening Ghana’s preparedness and response to public health emergencies.
The Minister emphasized the critical need for readiness, citing recent outbreaks including meningitis in the Upper West Region, cholera in Greater Accra and Central Regions, and over 79 confirmed cases of Mpox.
The Pandemic Fund, a global initiative coordinated by the World Bank with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to enhance national systems for preventing, detecting, and responding to health threats.
Mr. Akandoh stated the fund will specifically support improvements in health workforce readiness, laboratory infrastructure, and early warning surveillance systems.
The 13-member committee comprises representatives from diverse sectors including health, agriculture, finance, gender, environment, civil society, and international development partners. The Minister urged the committee to translate policy into concrete action with transparency and accountability.
Speaking on behalf of the WHO, Dr. Sofonias Asrat, Cluster Lead for Universal Health Coverage, reiterated the organization’s commitment to Ghana’s health security. He underscored the urgency of pandemic preparedness, lauded Ghana’s recent Joint External Evaluation, and expressed confidence that the project would improve future performance.
Dr. Asrat also encouraged the committee to ensure transparency and inclusivity in their oversight, highlighting their crucial role in Ghana’s effective response to future public health threats.
The inauguration saw the attendance of senior officials from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, WHO, FAO, UNICEF, World Bank, civil society, and academia.
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