The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed that COVID-19 remains a public health concern in the country, dismissing the widespread perception that the virus had disappeared.
The announcement followed a resurgence of cases within the University of Ghana community, prompting renewed warnings and a return to containment protocols.
Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at the Service, addressed the situation in detail. According to the GHS, recent infections at the University of Ghana likely originated during a hall week celebration, where close contact among students enabled the virus to spread.
“Because we had a cluster of students, one of whom had the virus, it caused the spread. But I want to put it in context that COVID never left, and this is not the first time we are recording new cases. We’ve seen infections over the past weeks and months”
Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at GHS
In response to assumptions that the virus had been eradicated, Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe reminded the public that COVID-19 was never officially declared over by the World Health Organization or Ghanaian health authorities. He reiterated that while the emergency phase may have ended, the virus itself continues to circulate at low levels.
“COVID has been with us since 2020. Somewhere last year, the Director-General of WHO said that COVID is no longer an issue of emergency; we never said COVID is gone”
Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at GHS
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe emphasized that Ghana’s surveillance systems remain functional and have been consistently detecting new cases across the country since.
Precautionary Measures
The Director of Public Health urged the public and institutions to remain vigilant and reinstitute preventive protocols where necessary. Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe praised the University of Ghana’s recent decision to suspend social events following the confirmation of infections on campus.
He described the university’s move as “an idea to prevent the spread of the virus,” and called on other institutions to emulate such caution, especially in high-density settings.
After the University of Ghana confirmed a resurgence of COVID-19 cases among students, a follow-up directive issued by the university’s health directorate on Thursday, June 26, suspended all social gatherings to contain the outbreak.
The university’s internal statement noted that both suspected and confirmed cases had been detected, prompting immediate action through enhanced monitoring and reactivation of health protocols.
While the Ghana Health Service has not announced a national resurgence or spike, Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe maintained that localized outbreaks such as the one at the University of Ghana must not be ignored. He urged the public not to trivialize the continued presence of the virus.
“COVID never left,” he stressed again, cautioning that complacency could reverse the progress made in managing the virus over the past few years.
The GHS has reiterated that although the overall case numbers remain low, public awareness and adherence to safety measures are still essential. The service has also called for collaboration between educational institutions, health facilities, and community leaders to ensure early detection and swift response.
As of now, Ghana has not reinstated any nationwide COVID-related restrictions, but officials have left open the possibility of further measures depending on how the situation evolves. Currently, the focus remains on targeted responses, public education, and institutional leadership in observing protocols.
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