GHS Boss Urges Vigilance and Enhanced Meningitis Surveillance in Upper East Region
The Acting Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has called on health authorities and stakeholders in the Upper East Region to remain vigilant and intensify surveillance for Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM). He emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about the symptoms and prevention methods of the disease to encourage early detection and prompt treatment.
Professor Akoriyea made the remarks during a visit to the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council in Bolgatanga. This visit formed part of his working tour of the region, following his recent appointment as the GHS Director General. He highlighted the urgency of proactive health measures, especially in light of the meningitis cases reported earlier in the year.
In early 2025, Ghana recorded several meningitis cases in the Upper West Region, with 16 fatalities out of 173 suspected cases. The Upper East Region also reported 31 suspected cases, resulting in two deaths, although no official outbreak has been declared in the region. While he assured that the situation is currently under control, Professor Akoriyea cautioned that stakeholders must remain alert and prepared to prevent any escalation.
He urged community members to promptly seek medical attention when experiencing meningitis symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, headache, and vomiting. He assured the public that GHS has secured adequate vaccine supplies to manage potential outbreaks.
Professor Akoriyea also stressed the need for improved disease surveillance at national borders and entry points, noting the risk of meningitis spread from neighboring Sahelian countries due to geographic proximity. In addition, he expressed concern over the shortage of health workers in the Upper East Region, attributing it to widespread reluctance among professionals to accept postings in conflict-affected areas such as Bawku. He emphasized that without peace and security, the region’s healthcare indicators would continue to suffer.
Furthermore, he criticized undue political and social interference in the posting and transfer of health staff, calling for support to ensure an equitable distribution of healthcare workers across the country.
Responding to the concerns, Al-Hassan Ibrahim Abdul-Kadir, Acting Regional Coordinating Director, speaking on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister, acknowledged the issues raised and pledged that they would be addressed. He also mentioned ongoing collaboration with the Ghana Medical Association to improve safety and security for health personnel in the region.
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