The Ministry of Health has launched an urgent, multi-agency response to contain disease risks emerging from the recent floods in Accra, after the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, toured affected communities and ordered immediate action to protect residents from potential disease outbreaks.
The intervention spans disease surveillance, sanitation enforcement and public education, bringing together several state agencies as the Ministry moves swiftly to stay ahead of conditions that could trigger a wider public health emergency in the capital.
Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh togather with the team visited Circle VIP, Neoplan Station, Achimota and Alogboshie, walking through some of the communities hardest hit by the floods to assess the extent of the damage and engage directly with affected residents. He explained that the tour was intended to translate firsthand observations into immediate, targeted interventions rather than delayed planning.
“We are evaluating conditions on the ground to facilitate the rapid deployment of appropriate interventions and intensify measures to prevent the outbreak of diseases,”
Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
The Minister made the remarks during the visit, emphasizing that the days ahead are critical to preventing flood related disease outbreaks and safeguarding public health
Following the assessment, the Minister directed the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to intensify disease surveillance, scale up risk communication and strengthen community-level interventions across all affected districts. He instructed the Service to deploy more health workers to flood hit communities to closely monitor suspected cases that could signal the early stages of an outbreak.
“Our teams are moving into the affected communities to monitor closely and respond quickly to anything unusual.”
Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He added that early detection remains the most effective way to prevent isolated cases from developing into a larger public health emergency.
Health workers have also been directed to intensify public education on preventive practices, with the Ministry calling on the media, traditional and religious leaders, and educational institutions to help extend hygiene awareness beyond the reach of government response teams.
Agencies Join Forces On Water And Sanitation
The scale of the sanitation challenges left behind by the floods has prompted the Ministry to coordinate a unified response involving multiple public institutions.
Ghana Health Service, National Ambulance Service, Faith-Based Service Delivery Agencies, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Ministry of Local Government have all been mobilised to address water, sanitation and hygiene concerns resulting from the floods.
“No single agency can manage a crisis of this nature alone. We need everyone working together if we are going to protect the health of these communities.”
Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
The coordinated response is expected to strengthen disease prevention efforts while improving sanitation conditions in affected communities.
District Assemblies And Food Vendors Urged To Comply
Hon. Akandoh also called on all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to work closely with health authorities and relevant agencies to enforce environmental sanitation measures and reduce public health risks. He stressed that weaknesses at the local level could undermine the broader national response.
Food vendors operating within affected communities have likewise been directed to comply strictly with food hygiene regulations, as the Ministry prepares to intensify inspections in the coming weeks.
Residents Advised To Remain Vigilant
He urged residents to play an active role in preventing disease outbreaks by clearing drains, removing stagnant water and maintaining clean surroundings.
According to Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, these simple but effective measures can significantly reduce the spread of disease following flooding.
Hon. Akandoh also highlighted an additional hazard associated with the floods, cautioning that rising waters may force reptiles and other potentially harmful animals out of their natural habitats and into residential communities. therefore residents must be alert as they carry out clean up activities in their neighbourhoods.
Ministry Assures Public Situation Under Control
Despite the scale of the response, the Minister reassured the public that the situation remains under control.
He stated that all necessary measures are being implemented to safeguard public health while routine healthcare delivery continues uninterrupted across the country.
The Minister further affirmed that he and his team remain committed to sustaining healthcare services even as resources are redirected to support flood response operations.
He added that disease surveillance, sanitation enforcement and public education campaigns will remain in place until conditions across the affected communities stabilise.
READ MORE: Accra Flood Displaces 38,822 People as Death Toll Reaches 12
