Ministry of Health starts mandatory Ebola screening at international airports

The Ministry of Health has announced the immediate implementation of mandatory Ebola screening and a 21-day monitoring protocol for passengers arriving at Ghana's international airports. In a statement issued on November 3, 2026, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, explained that these measures are strictly precautionary following an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in several African countries. Although Ghana has recorded no confirmed cases of the virus, the government is intensifying surveillance to prevent its potential introduction.

Under the new protocols, all arriving travelers are required to complete a Health Declaration Form, disclosing their recent travel history and any potential exposure to the virus. Port Health officers at the nation's three international airports will conduct non-contact temperature checks and review health declarations for every passenger. Travelers arriving from regions with active transmission or those exhibiting symptoms such as high fever will undergo further clinical assessment and may be isolated for further evaluation if necessary.

A central component of the strategy is the 21-day monitoring period for individuals arriving from countries currently experiencing outbreaks. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) will maintain active contact with these travelers to ensure they report any developing symptoms immediately. Minister Akandoh emphasized that compliance with these screening requirements is mandatory under Ghanaian law, and individuals who provide false information or refuse to cooperate with health officials may face legal repercussions.

The decision to tighten border health controls follows a recent Africa CDC ministerial meeting and reflects the severity of the regional outbreak, which has reportedly caused over 5,300 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with cases also recorded in Uganda and Kenya. The Ministry of Health has urged the public to remain calm and rely only on official updates from the GHS to avoid the spread of misinformation regarding the virus.