Ghanaian Leads Successful Community Forum on Ebola

An eventful and information-rich forum on Ebola was organized by the West Harlem Development Corporation (WHDC) in partnership with the African Immigrant Task Force and the Office of the President of the Borough of Manhattan, Gale Brewer, on October 30, 2014 at City College, New York. In an introductory speech to a packed-house, Kofi A. Boateng, PhD, Executive Director of WHDC called for public education on a disease that is killing people in West Africa and sending fear everywhere else in the world. He disclosed that as of the event’s date, the World Health Organization had estimated that there were 13,000 confirmed cases of Ebola in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. The combined population of these countries is about 22 million, slightly higher than that of the State of New York. That would make an infection rate of 6 in 10,000 if one lived in one of the three West African countries. In contrast, the situation in the USA is five cases of infection and 1 death, so far in a population of nearly 320 million. Dr. Boateng concluded: “We have more to fear from being afraid than from the truth of getting infected with Ebola anywhere in Africa and even less so in the United States. Therefore we need to stop stigmatization and criminalization, educate ourselves about the facts of Ebola, and not give in to fear that breeds baseless hysteria.”
The panel of ten was moderated by Dr. Barbara Wallace of Columbia University’s Teachers College. It included representatives from Doctors without Borders, a senior public health advisor to Liberia’s Ebola response management team, a Columbia University assistant professor of epidemiology, a virologist, and representatives from the health and human rights departments of New York City.
In his presentation, Dr. Eluemuno Blyden, a Sierra Leonean-American virologist who worked in the forest area that borders the three index countries in West Africa, presented a novel theory on the origins of Ebola. He argued that the search for rare metals in the region and also in the Congo, specifically coltan that is used in the manufacture of cell phones, has led to severe deforestation and a disturbance of the biodiversity in the old pristine forests. In this, all humanity shares responsibility for the rise of Ebola that has come from environmental degradation in Africa to satisfy human wants. Ebola is a warning of worse things to come if humanity does not wake up and African countries continue to allow rapacious exploitation in return for a few dollars for a few people. His assertion, if proven, will debunk the oft-repeated claim of the recent outbreak being attributed solely to Africans eating bats and other bush meat.
The public health awareness messages were that: The Ebola virus does not transmit through air. One can get infected only through being in touch with the bodily fluids of others who are sick from Ebola. The incubation period for people who are infected runs from three to 21 days. Infected persons get sicker and their chances of dying increase as they move closer to the end of the incubation period. It is therefore imperative to get to the hospital at the very first sign of symptoms that may look like the flu with headaches, nausea, runny nose, vomiting etc. It is highly recommended that all should take flu shots to at least eliminate the chances of being mistaken for an Ebola infection.
The respondents representing the City of New York disclosed that the City has designated eight hospitals as Ebola treatment centers. People, who need to be seen, tested and treated, should not hesitate to come forward because no one will be denied care on account of financial difficulties and immigration status. People are strongly advised to not violate other people’s rights. Do not hesitate to contact the City’s Commission on Human Rights if you feel violated. If you are a victim of a crime, contact the police.
In a post forum interview Dr. Boateng told this writer that the idea of a forum on Ebola was hatched back in September between him, Dr. Blyden, and Dr. Ashiwel Undieh, a Deputy Provost at City College. In early October he raised a question of “the white elephant in the room-Ebola” at the first meeting of the African Immigrant Task Force hosted by Borough President Brewer who immediately took to the need for action. Dr. Boateng added that the Task Force and the African Federation have plans to develop next steps to get more of the educational message out, and useful resources to help those fighting Ebola in Africa. He took the opportunity to profusely thank the event’s co- sponsors, his and the Borough president’s staff, elected officials, and many others who pitched in to pull this important forum off within three weeks. He admonished Africans in the US to not hesitate to send themselves and their visitors to treatment centers at the first signs of flu-like symptoms including elevated temperatures, and not worry about payment and immigration issues. In addition he strongly urges the African community to modify some of their cultural habits, especially during these challenging times. “Show your love and concern by nodding. A handshake is not worth dying for”, he emphasized.
The event was opened with the South African anthem Nkosi Sikelei Africa (God bless Africa) by the New York African Chorus Ensemble. The Blackberry Productions Theater followed with a short play that bared the confusion about the origins of Ebola as conspiracy, manufactured virus, genocide, airborne etc. The skit included a tracking of the final days of Thomas Duncan (from Liberia), the first person to die of Ebola in the USA. A group of Hip Hop originators, called Ground Breakers, sent the audience away with a new track, “we don’t want to die.” Dr. Boateng would appreciate your thoughts on the subject. His e-mail address is kofi.aboat@gmail.com.


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W/African health workers begin five-day training on combating Ebola disease in Ghana

Health workers from six countries in the West African sub-region will begin a five-day training session from Monday, November 24, 2014 in Accra, Ghana.A statement by the ECOWAS Commission on Saturday in Abuja said that after the training sessions, they would be integrated with the Ministries of Health in the three countries most affected by the Ebola disease – Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
It added that the training is a joint initiative of the African Union and ECOWAS through the Organization of West African Health Organization (WAHO), its specialized institution in the field and that the training is for some 150 doctors, nurses and health technicians volunteers from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
According to the statement, the training is part of the regional response plan adopted by the last Assembly of Health Ministers of ECOWAS states and aims to provide substantial support in human resources in the health system of the most affected countries in their efforts to contain the epidemic.
It explained that the programme will be for a period of three months to strengthen the response capacity of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in the identification of cases, patient care, tracking contacts, setting preventive measures and management of the bodies of the victims, while revitalizing their overall health care system.
The opening ceremony of the training programme, which will hold at the Kofi Annan-Accra Centre, will be addressed by the Minister of Health of Ghana, representatives of AfDB and the African Union and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo.

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MTN-backed African artists set to tackle Ebola with ‘We Are the World’ cover

A number of African artists are set to perform and release a cover of “We are the World” in support of cellular giant MTN’s efforts in the fight against Ebola.
Approximately 70 artists, made up mostly of MTN ambassadors and friends from all corners of Africa have confirmed their availability to record the song, which will be available in Full Track, Tru Tone formats for R10 and Caller Tune for R3.
All proceeds from sales will be donated to the African Union and will count over and above the US$10-million pledge already made by the MTN Group to the African Union.
Among the South African artists confirmed are: Donald, Mafikizolo, Lloyd Cele, Loyiso, Matthew Gold, Elvis Blue, Kurt Darren, The Arrows, MTN Joyous Celebration and Dr. Rebecca Malope. They will be joined by artists from across the continent including Sean Tizzle (Nigeria), Jose Chameleone (Uganda),R2BEES (Ghana), Fally (DRC), Wax Dey (Cameroon), SK Originale (Ghana), Shinsoman (Zimbabwe), Gigi LaMayne (Zimbabwe), Davido (Nigeria), Chidinma (Nigeria), Sound Sultans (Nigeria), K-Cee (Nigeria), Diamond (Tanzania) and Banky W (Nigeria). Lindelani Mkhize is the lead producer of the song. Read more: 3 very important ways technology is being employed to fight Ebola
“Considering that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that there could be as many as 10 000 new EVD (Ebola Virus Desease) cases per week by December 2014, we needed to take immediate action,” says Larry Annetts, Chief Marketing Officer at MTN SA. “A solid and original musical production of this nature is dependent on availability of artists, sufficient time to compose and produce original lyrics and instrumentation as well as adequate time to observe copyright and publishing administration. ‘We are the world’ was readily available for us to utilise for this campaign and has a positive history in raising awareness and funds for socially responsible projects. We believe it will achieve the desired results to assist in efforts to fight Ebola with the support of African artists, businesses and the public.”
The announcement comes as another charity single, engineered by Bob Geldof under the BandAid 30 banner, has been receiving criticism for its overly-simplistic portrayal of Africa, as well as for only including one actual African artist.
MTN customers can download the Full tracks and Tru Tone for R10 or make it their Caller Tune for R3 by dialling *123*55#. Alternatively, the public can logon to www.mtnplay.co.za to download.

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Who calls for proper Hygiene Practices

The risk of contracting the hemorrhagic fevers is ever-present and it is important that basic personal hygiene practices are maintained even after Ebola disease has been contained.
Joana Ansong, Professional Officer, Health Promotion of the World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana, made this remark at a workshop in Ho for core members of Regional Risk Communication Teams on Tuesday.
Participants were from the Volta, Greater-Accra and Eastern Regions.
WHO is sponsoring the workshops for all the regions, zoned into northern, middle and southern sectors.
Ms Ansong said the risk of contracting Ebola and similar diseases was not temporary and that Ghana, with no recorded case of Ebola so far, was not out of danger.
She said besides regular washing of hands under flowing water, dead bodies must be handled by only those trained to handle them and that early treatment must be sought if symptoms of Ebola occur.
Ms Ansong said males who contract Ebola and recovered were at risk of passing on the virus to their sex mates through semen within seven weeks of being declared fit.
Mrs Grace Kafui Annan, Head of Health Promotion Department of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), said social mobilization and risk communication were crucial in tackling dire situations such as the Ebola spread.
She said an ambulance team had been trained for ferrying Ebola patients.
Mrs Annan said an active surveillance drill had been adopted, which would ensure that a patient was tracked to trace and handle all people that patient had been in contact with.
GNA

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EBOLA: This catastrophe must never happen again

A World Bank official says the Ebola epidemic will not be as costly to West Africa's economy as previously feared, thanks to effective containment efforts.

Francisco Ferreira, the bank's chief economist for Africa, told an audience in Johannesburg Wednesday that he expects the epidemic’s economic toll on the region will range from $3 to $4 billion.

The World Bank in October had predicted the economic impact could be as high as $32 billion if the virus spread significantly outside the borders of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the three countries hardest hit by the outbreak.

"The risk of the highest case of economic impact of Ebola has been reduced because of the success of containment in some countries," Ferreira said, according to the Reuters news agency. "It has not gone to zero because a great level of preparedness and focus is still needed."

Ferreira said efforts to keep the outbreak from spreading to other African countries were largely successful. Senegal and Nigeria reported cases of the disease but have since been declared Ebola-free. Mali is now seeking to contain a small outbreak.

The earlier, more dire prediction reflected worries that if Ebola were to spread more vigorously beyond the three countries at the outbreak's epicenter, it would devastate cross-border trade, supply chains and tourism, Reuters reported.

But the "fear factor" has spread well beyond the outbreak’s actual range, Ferreira said, noting it has deterred tourists from Kenya, South Africa and other countries otherwise unaffected by the contagion.

Ferreira said falling global oil prices, which have dropped by almost a third since June, also has fueled instability among African oil producers, Reuters reported. Nigeria is the continent’s largest exporter of crude oil.

The World Health Organization last week reported a slight rise in the Ebola death toll, saying there have been 5,177 deaths among 14,413 confirmed cases worldwide.

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US lauds Ghana’s Ebola preparedness plan

The United States (US) government has commended Ghana for its “impressive” Ebola preparedness plan and promised to support the plan to achieve its goals.

Speaking at a meeting with the Chief of Staff, Mr Prosper Douglas Bani, at the Flagstaff House Wednesday, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Ms Samantha Power, said both the preventive and containment measures put in place by the Ghanaian authorities were positive.

"We shall help Ghana in its preventive measures and also quickly contain any case that may come up," she declared.

Ms Power was at the Flagstaff House to brief the Chief of Staff on efforts the US government was making to battle the disease in West Africa.

In a personal testimony about Ghana's strict preventive measures, the Ambassador said she went through rigorous screening when she arrived at the Kotoka International Airport, adding that the screening she went through gave a good idea of the prominence given to Ebola prevention in Ghana.

The Envoy conveyed President Obama's commendation to President Mahama for showing tremendous leadership in the Ebola battle.

She said Ghana had a special place in the scheme of things in the Obama government.

Ms Power, who has already visited Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, said she saw the pain and heartbreak of families affected by the disease during the visit.

She called on Ghanaians not to entertain any fears about the presence of the United Nations Ebola Team in the country, saying members of the team who travelled to the three countries received maximum protection.

Mr Bani commended the US government for its significant commitment to the fight against Ebola in West Africa.

He said Ghana recognised the fact that Ebola was not just a health problem but carried terrible social and economic consequences, saying that was the reason the entire world had to come together to control it.

While showing appreciation for the global response to Ebola control in West Africa, he expressed the hope that bilateral and unilateral agencies would begin to emphasise the social and economic challenges.

He promised that President Mahama would never go to sleep until the fight against Ebola was won.

Mr Bani said the government had approved an insurance package for frontline health staff working on Ebola prevention and control.

He urged the US to make its presence felt in the ECOWAS emergency meeting on Ebola in Accra on November 6.

Liberians in limbo in Ghana as Ebola hits home

Jefferson Karr was ready to return to Liberia. He had wound down the management school he ran in Ghana, given away the computers and planned his trip home.

Then came Ebola.

Now Karr is in limbo, along with many of his compatriots in the Buduburam refugee camp, 35 kilometres (22 miles) west of Ghana's capital, Accra.
Ebola has killed more than 5,000 people, mostly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and is expected to hit economic growth in the region, as border closures and stigma disrupt the flow of goods and people.
On the sprawling camp's winding dirt roads, Liberians no longer talk of the civil war that raged from 1989 to 1997 and forced many of them to seek refuge in Ghana.
Instead, they talk of a virus that kills like no other, with nearly 3,000 Liberians among the dead and the west African country having only just lifted a state of emergency imposed three months ago.
"If it had been like the war, we had the opportunity to flee to the Ivory Coast," said Karr, who lost two uncles in the civil conflict and has been living in Ghana for the past 16 years.
"But with Ebola, where will you go?"
Transport links idle
The world's largest outbreak of Ebola began in Guinea earlier this year before spreading across its porous borders into Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The paltry health systems of all three have been overwhelmed, prompting the United States, France and Britain to deploy their militaries and the creation of a UN mission to fight the disease.
Border closures and flight cancellations have blighted economies still struggling with post-civil war rebuilding and facing urgent development needs.
By and large, Liberians are not refugees anymore. Most lost that status in 2012 and many chose to return home, said Tetteh Padi, the programme coordinator for the Ghana Refugee Board.
Only a fraction of those living in the camp were able to prove extenuating circumstances that allowed them to keep their refugee status, he added.
In all, the Ghana Refugee Board is providing support to more than 5,000 Liberians in the camp but there are more who have fallen through the net.
From Buduburam's entrance, trucks would set off for a five-day journey to Liberia's capital Monrovia, said Robert Mcintosh, secretary of the Ghana Private Roads Transport Union.

Passenger vans also carried people via Ivory Coast, which separates the two countries.
Now the vehicles sit loaded with merchandise but motionless at Buduburam's entrance—a testament to the camp's paralysed economy.
"They carry goods and (are) hoping that they will get there and sell and be able to pay back the money," Mcintosh said.
"But (it is) a very difficult time for them now, since the borders have been closed between Ivory Coast and Liberia."
Bad news from home
In the camp itself, posters warn against the risk of Ebola, despite Ghana being free from the disease but on its guard against any imported cases.
The exiles talk of families once again torn apart and of familiar faces taken by the disease.
One of the former conductors at Buduburam's forlorn long-distance bus terminal died of Ebola in Liberia, said James Nuamaha, the stationmaster.
After missing the organised repatriations to Liberia, Peter Kaba lives jobless in the camp. Then, he got the news that Ebola had killed his older sister and five other family members.
"I don't have money to go because I have no money to sustain myself here," Kaba said.
Karr, too, received bad news from home. The little brother of a best friend from Liberia caught the haemorrhagic fever, which spread to his wife and their four children.
The best friend and his wife died, while the children were critically ill.
"I'm highly frustrated with this Ebola issue," Karr said.
"By now I should have been making impact in Liberia, transforming lives, and then trying to wipe away that illiteracy that is in our country that's posing us a problem."
But with the border shut, all he can do is wait.

Story; Medical express
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Ebola threatens Ghana's tourism targets

The Ebola epidemic in West Africa is negatively affecting the tourism industry due to the cancellation of conferences and events that would have brought thousands of visitors into the country, says Charles Osei-Bonsu, Executive Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).

A World Tourism Organisation (WTO) conference, “Branding for Africa and Africa’s Image”, which had been scheduled to be come off in Accra from September 9-11, was postponed, he told the B&FT in an interview.

Other important international events have also been put on hold, he said, amid fears that large cross-border gatherings could facilitate the spread of Ebola, which has killed more than 4,000 people in the most affected countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The postponement and cancellation of international events is having a ripple effect on tourism revenues and the hotel business, Mr. Osei-Bonsu added.

The overall impact of Ebola on the industry will be better appreciated when full-year statistics on tourism trends have been collated. For now, the GTA’s goal of attracting a record one million tourists into the country this year and generating more than US$2billion in earnings looks threatened as Ebola rages on.

Speaking during a media interaction last week ahead of the upcoming 2014 National Tourism Awards in Accra, the GTA boss said the Authority’s current focus is to improve the standards and quality of service in tourism facilities.

To expand its oversight and decentralise its activities, the GTA plans to have five of its seven pilot district offices operational in November. The pilot offices will be zoned to cover wide areas.

Touching on the tourism levy that was introduced in October 2012, Mr. Osei-Bonsu said many accommodation establishments and caterers have been registered and certified to collect the levy and make payments to designated banks.

Some GH¢7million has been generated from the levy as at the middle of October this year, while over 2,600 facilities – representing about 96 percent of licenced tourism facilities – have so far been registered to collect the levy.

An average of around GH¢350,000 is mobilised every month, the Fund Manager, Abraham Tetteh, said, adding that he is hopeful collections will double soon when the challenges associated with collection are addressed.

The National Tourism Awards 2014, which was previously slated for November 28, has been moved to December 11 at the Banquet Hall of the State House due to the Arts and Culture festival being hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ben Anane-Nsiah, Special Events Manager, said.

The awards are to honour businesses and individuals in the tourism industry, reward excellent performance to encourage competition, and create a platform for interaction as a family so to enhance the positive image of the country through the tourism sector, Mr. Anane-Nsiah said.

The awards criteria are based on factors such as good facilities, good customer service, and companies with a good record of tax compliance.

Telefonika Ghana Limited is the headline sponsor, while companies such as Turkish Airlines, Binatone, Universal Merchant Bank, Sunseekers, Sunlodge Hotel, Papaye are providing support to make the award ceremony a success.


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Stakeholders meet on ebola preparedness

The Volta Region is stepping up its preparedness for any possible Ebola viral disease case, Dr Yao Ofori Yeboah, Deputy Regional Director of Public Health has assured.
He was answering questions at a stakeholders meeting on preparations towards the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets in the region from Monday, November 17 to Thursday, November 27.
Dr Yeboah said health personnel have been sensitized
He said the region has 500 personnel protection equipment some of which have been sent to strategic locations with an emergency stock on standby.
Dr Yeboah said public education posters about the disease are on display in public places in communities throughout the region.
“A lot is being done behind the scene,” he said.
Meanwhile the region branch of Ghana Red Cross Society is to begin training 700 volunteers on Ebola next week, Mr Larry Yeboah, Regional Secretary of the Society said.
while a specially trained surveillance team is also in place.
GNA

Ghana plans subsidising Ebola vaccines

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister has told Parliament that the state is considering subsidising Ebola vaccines for citizens. The vaccines are due to be ready early next year for use.

Hanna Tetteh said on the floor of the House recently that subsidising the vaccine will enable Ghanaians have access to the early consignment at a cheap price.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently appealed to African Leaders at a Summit held in Accra that it was important for African Governments to subsidise the vaccine for their country folk.

“We believe by the end of February next year, there’ll be at least a quarter of a million vaccines available; by the middle of next year about a million vaccines available; and by the end of the year, two to three million vaccines available,” Deputy Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Dr Anerfi Asamoa-Baah.

“That is the good news,” he said at the Accra Summit of ECOWAS leaders on the deadly haemorrhagic fever.

Dr Asamoa-Baah, therefore, told ECOWAS leaders at the Summit to subsidise the vaccine for their citizens.

“My first plea is for you to argue that the affected countries should have the first call on the vaccines. The vaccines will not be cheap. Our countries cannot afford this vaccine. We estimate that it will not be less 100 dollars per dose.

“So you’ll need to work with your colleague presidents so that at the minimum, this is highly subsidised, or they are donations to the affected countries.”

The bloody fever has killed more than 5,000 people in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea since March this year.

It has infected more than 10,000 others. Nigeria, Senegal, Spain and the United States also recorded a few cases and deaths.

The WHO has described this year’s outbreak as the worst ever. The disease has a fatality rate of between 50 and 90 percent.

It kills within 21 days after infection. It is mainly transmitted through the consumption of bush meat: fruit bats, antelopes, porcupines, monkeys and apes.

Ghana has tested close to 200 suspected cases, but none has proved positive. Accra is also being used as the hub for coordinating operations and logistics in the fight against the disease.

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Ebola Vaccine Expected To Be Available By The First Quarter of 2015

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Hannah Tetteh says the Ebola vaccine being developed is expected to be made available by the first quarter of next year. She says the vaccine will be first tried before being used.

She said government will work hand in hand with stakeholders to ensure the vaccine is administered at subsidized cost since the preliminary price put out for a shot of the Ebola vaccine is
about one hundred US dollars.

Madam Tetteh said this as she contributed to a statement on the steps being taken by the country to
handle the Ebola disease.

Radio Ghana's Correspondent, Augustus Nabanyi Aquaye reports that when Members of Parliament met last month for an emergency sitting, the Speaker Doe Adjaho asked that the Minister of Health be brought to the House to brief members on the efforts made so far in the fight against Ebola in the country.

This was as a result of an application
made by the MP for Manhyia South, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh.

In contributing to the briefing by the Minister of Health, Dr. Kweku Agyeman Mensah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hannah Tetteh said sub
regional efforts at tackling the disease has a strong backing from the
President.

Briefing the MPs, the Minister of Health, and Dr. Kweku Agyeman Mensah
said so far, over one hundred suspected cases had all tested negative
of the Ebola virus.

He said government has an inter-ministerial co coordinating committee to oversee surveillance of the country’s disease activities. .

MP for Manhyia South, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh had issue with monitoring activities at the airports.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance will be in Parliament on Wednesday November 19, to present the 2015 budget
statement.

This was made known by the Deputy Majority Leader, Alfred Agbesi when he presented the Hose’s business statement for next week.

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Ebola In Ghana? Two Liberians Show Signs Of It At Kasoa

It is yet to be confirmed whether the deadly Ebola Viral Disease has found its way into Ghana but reports reaching Peace FM indicates that two persons, currently admitted at the Kasoa Poly Clinic, have shown signs of it.

The two, according Peace FM’s Central Regional correspondent, Seth Mantey are from Liberia and have been residing at the Kosoa Buduburam refugee camp with their families.

He was informed by Dr. Mills, the head of the Kasoa Polyclinic that following the signs he has seen the patients display, he wouldn’t be surprised if turned out to be the Ebola viral disease.

According to Seth Mantey, aside the pain he saw the patients displayed, blood was also oozing from their eyes and ears.

“When they coughed, you could also see blood in it. Doctor Mills revealed to us that he has called on authorities to come and take samples of blood to give a proper account”.

Seth Mantey disclosed that the Kasoa Polyclinic which is situated at the Awutu Senya District has also recorded seventy one (71) cases of cholera cases. One person is reported to have died as a result.

However, with the challenges associated with the fight against the deadly Ebola Viral Disease, Peacefmonline.com would like to urge all especially government to put in safeguard measures to prevent its spread as Ghana serves as the home for most asylum seekers within Africa.

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Ebola: ‘Ghana is moderately ready’ – Dr. Bampoe

The Health Ministry has stated that Ghana is “moderately ready” to fight a possible outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus disease.

The Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Victor Bampoe on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday said moves to put Ghana in a good position to battle any outbreak are ongoing.

“I think we are moderately ready and if we were to get a case…that is when we will test it [measures put in place] but we have done everything to make sure we are ready.”

There have been about 100 reported cases of Ebola in Ghana but tests on all suspected patients have proven negative.

There are also concerns about Ghana’s vulnerability especially at its porous borders with the rest of the

Currently, the United Nations (UN) Mission on Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) is establishing a logistics centre in Accra where 250 UN personnel will be operating from.

The center is to ensure a rapid, effective, efficient and coherent response to Ebola in neighbouring West African nations specifically, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

Although some persons including the Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, have raised concerns over the establishment of the center in Ghana, the head of the UNMEER, Anthony Banbury has assured that they have put in place stringent standards to ensure the disease is not imported into Ghana.

Dr. Bampoe dispelled assertions that the nation is ill-prepared to combat the disease.

He said the health sector is “really well prepared” and stakeholders are “constantly aspiring to go higher.”

According to him, the rapid response taken by health personnel who came into contact with 100 suspected Ebola cases should be a consolation to the general public that an effective system exists.

The Deputy Health Minister admitted that weak health systems have allowed the disease to spread, noting that, the worst hit countries have “relatively weak post health conflict systems.”

He commended Nigeria and Senegal for assiduously working to contain the cases they recorded saying, “Nigeria did excellent incident management…Senegal has had that one case and nobody has died yet and it sort of petted out.”

Dr. Bampoe added that the three pillars of Ghana’s Ebola strategy is being implemented to the latter which include; public education, active surveillance within the communities and borders and incident management.

Stoy; Citifmonline.com

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Ghanaian Techies join the fight against Ebola Using ICT

Since the Ebola outbreak in West Africa was officially declared on 22nd March in Guinea, it has claimed at least 2,461 lives. This outbreak is the largest in history, with the virus’s spread to neighboring countries - Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Senegal. Despite the United Nations calling the epidemic a “crisis unparalleled in modern times”, thus far the international response has been inadequate. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) teams in West Africa are seeing critical gaps in all aspects of the response, including medical care, training of health staff, infection control, contact tracing, epidemiological surveillance, alert and referral systems, community education and mobilization. "We are honestly at a loss as to how a single, private [non-governmental organization] is providing the bulk of isolation units and beds," MSF president Joanne Liu said in a speech to the UN in Geneva on 16th September 2014.

On Friday, August 29^th 2014, a group of software developers, technologists and people who are passionate about making impact in and out of Ghana joined forces at iSpace foundation Ebola Ghana Alert was born. iSpace is a unique environment where technology start ups

can start up faster. We nurture a local network of like-minded and focused tech entrepreneurs, providing space for them to work, meet, collaborate, learn and have fun. By getting the right people together in a physical space, good things happen.

Ebola Ghana Alert is made up of a team of committed people with extensive background in IT, web development, and social media. Our aim is to provide people in Ghana and beyond with reliable information which will educate them and easy-to-use applications for the alerting and disseminating of information to the general public about the Ebola virus. The virus has claimed thousands of lives in West Africa alone, and we would like to take action to stop Ebola virus from spreading by doing our bit. Which is Educating, Tracking and Alerting the general public on everything Ebola related especially in Ghana and West Africa. We created this platform with professionals of varied backgrounds, to ensure a quick and hassle free way of accessing information via social media.

The Ebola Ghana Alert platforms are up and running check out our website http://ebolaghanaalert.org/. We have audio and video portals which have content in multiple local languages Twi , Dagaare , Sissaala , waaali , hausa and igbo that will  help educate the public on Ebola. We have a map that will help you track confirmed cases of Ebola in West Africa.  Like us on Facebook at EbolaGhanaAlert and Follow us on twitter @EbolaGhanaAlert and finally you can type *713*444# currently available on MTN and Airtel. Tentatively, there are three (3) live menus with content for quick facts, diagnosis, and daily updates. Partners of Ebola Ghana Alert are  iSpace , Thoughtworks , Oasis Websoft , Poll Afrique , Voto Mobile , Farmerline and Ghana Health Nest Send us an email if you want to support or join this great course info@ebolaghanaalert.org