Senior Programmes Officer of SEND Ghana, Harriet Nuamah Agyemang, has called on the Ghanaian government to establish a dedicated public health emergency fund. This fund would enable authorities to respond quickly to disease outbreaks without being delayed by bureaucratic processes. According to her, the absence of such a fund forces health authorities to go through lengthy procedures to access resources whenever an emergency occurs.
Ms Nuamah Agyemang made these comments on Joy FM's Top Story, highlighting the need for the government to take proactive measures to address public health emergencies. She stressed that SEND Ghana has been advocating for the establishment of this fund for years, but it has yet to be implemented. The fund would allow the government to quickly mobilize resources and respond appropriately to outbreaks.
The call for an emergency health fund comes as health authorities in Ghana are managing suspected yellow fever cases across the country. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh reported that about 450 suspected cases were recorded between June and September 2026, including 74 in the Upper West Region. Three of the 74 cases have been confirmed as yellow fever.
Ms Nuamah Agyemang also urged the government to consider strengthening local vaccine manufacturing, particularly amid reported efforts to procure additional vaccine doses and secure isolation spaces. She suggested that the government should assess the progress of Ghana's vaccine manufacturing initiative and explore partnerships with private manufacturers to improve the country's capacity to produce vaccines when needed.
The Senior Programmes Officer of SEND Ghana emphasized that the government must take responsibility for establishing the emergency health fund. She believes that this fund would reduce bureaucracies and enable swift responses to public health emergencies. The government has been slow to implement this fund, despite repeated calls from SEND Ghana and other stakeholders.
The yellow fever outbreak in Ghana has raised concerns about the country's preparedness to respond to public health emergencies. The government has been working to contain the outbreak, but the response has been criticized for being slow. Ms Nuamah Agyemang's comments highlight the need for the government to take proactive measures to address public health emergencies.
The establishment of an emergency health fund would enable the government to respond quickly and effectively to public health emergencies, reducing the risk of delays and bureaucratic processes. This fund would also enable the government to strengthen its response to disease outbreaks, including yellow fever, and improve the overall health and well-being of citizens.
Key points
- Ghana needs a dedicated public health emergency fund to respond swiftly to disease outbreaks.
- The government has been urged to strengthen local vaccine manufacturing to improve the country's capacity to produce vaccines.
- The yellow fever outbreak in Ghana has raised concerns about the country's preparedness to respond to public health emergencies.
