Health officials in Ghana’s Western Region have raised an alarm after the region recorded a sharp rise in cases of Mpox (Monkeypox), making up 71% of the country’s confirmed infections.
The announcement was made during the Western Regional Development Retreat in Essipong, Sekondi-Takoradi, on Saturday. Speaking at the event, Chief Pharmacist of the Western Regional Health Directorate, Kwadwo Okyere Apenteng, said the region confirmed its first case on 23 May in Tarkwa.
“Monkeypox is also in the country, and currently, the Western Region is number one; we have taken over,” Mr. Apenteng said. “71% of the cases in the country are coming from the Western Region. As it stands, we have 187 suspected cases and 43 confirmed cases.”
He spoke on behalf of the Western Regional Health Director and said health officials have activated an emergency response system. The Directorate is stepping up surveillance and public education to contain the outbreak and prevent it from spreading further.
The growing number of cases has led to concerns about the region’s ability to handle public health threats. Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, also spoke at the event and called for urgent improvements in the healthcare system.
“Our regional hospital in Effia Nkwanta is undergoing some revamping, but as we speak, the work is stalled,” he said. “I pray that very soon, work will resume so that we can complete it for the very purpose for which that project was started.”
He also urged the Western Regional House of Chiefs to support awareness campaigns and advocate for better health facilities to prepare the region for future health emergencies.
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads through close contact and can cause fever, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. Ghana’s health authorities are calling on the public to stay informed and report any suspected symptoms to health centres promptly.
