Ghana is grappling with a cholera outbreak, raising serious alarm among health officials and communities across the country. Currently, 16 deaths and 116 confirmed cases have been recorded in four regions: Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, and Western. In response, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) is urging the public to re-adopt COVID-19 hygiene protocols to help curb the spread.
Dr. Dennis Laryea, Deputy Director of Disease Surveillance at GHS, highlighted that most of these deaths could have been avoided if individuals had sought early medical care. “Many were brought in dead or admitted only when their conditions had severely deteriorated, often with kidney failure due to severe dehydration. Early treatment could have saved lives,” he explained.
Channel One News visited Osu in the Korley Klottey Municipality, one of the affected communities in Greater Accra, where residents are facing ongoing sanitation and water supply issues. Locals noted that the lack of consistent water access exacerbates hygiene challenges, making cholera prevention difficult. “We don’t have enough water to maintain basic sanitation, and waste management is poor. The authorities need to address this,” one resident urged.
Dr. Laryea warned that the risk factors for cholera remain high, including inadequate sanitation, poor waste management, and inconsistent water supply. He emphasized the need for communities to prioritize hygiene practices, such as washing hands, properly cleaning fruits and vegetables, and ensuring safe food handling to reduce transmission risks.