The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has informed Parliament that Ghana has recorded eight deaths and 1,038 confirmed cases of Mpox since the current outbreak began in May 2025.
While the disease has spread to nearly half of the country’s districts, the Minister emphasised that a coordinated government response and a successful vaccination campaign have led to a “significant decline” in new infections.
Responding to questions from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin regarding the scale of the outbreak, Akandoh provided a detailed breakdown of the situation. As of 3 March 2026, the virus has reached 124 districts across all regions—representing 47.51% of the country.
Key Statistics Reported:
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Total Confirmed Cases: 1,038 (from an initial pool of over 25,000 suspected cases in November).
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Total Deaths: 8 (largely among individuals with underlying health conditions).
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Most Affected Areas: Greater Accra and Western Regions.
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Current Status: Only one patient remains on admission, with zero critical cases reported nationwide.
The Response Strategy: Coordination and Testing
The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has activated a multi-sectoral response to interrupt transmission. Central to this effort are Ghana’s premier research institutions, which continue to handle sustained laboratory testing:
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Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research
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National Public Health Reference Laboratory
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Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR)
Surveillance and contact tracing have also been intensified, with health officials conducting 21-day follow-ups for those exposed to the virus.
Vaccination Success in Hotspots
One of the most effective tools in curbing the spread has been the “reactive vaccination” strategy. Ghana received 33,600 doses of the Mpox vaccine from the Africa CDC and WHO.
“The interventions are yielding results,” Mr. Akandoh stated. “Although sporadic cases have been recorded over the past two months, the overall trend shows a significant decline following the introduction of vaccination.”
In the 12 most affected districts across the Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Western Regions, the ministry has successfully vaccinated 31,231 people, achieving a coverage rate of over 95% for the target population.
Zero Financial Burden on Patients
In a move to ensure that cost does not hinder treatment or reporting, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to patient care.
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State-Covered Bills: All medical bills related to Mpox treatment are covered by the state.
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No Cost to Citizens: No financial burden is being passed on to affected persons or their families.
Closing his address, Mr. Akandoh urged Parliament and the media to support the mission of providing accurate information to the public to prevent panic and misinformation. “Government remains committed to sustaining the response and strengthening the country’s health security architecture,” he concluded.
