Ghana has recorded about 450 suspected yellow fever cases between June and September 2026, according to the Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, October 7, Mr. Akandoh said 74 of the suspected cases were recorded in the Upper West Region, with three subsequently confirmed.
He said the government was monitoring the situation closely and preparing a comprehensive briefing for the public, while cautioning against treating suspected cases as confirmed infections.
“Yes, the director did not bring my attention on suspected cases and we have to be very careful how we communicate. Suspected cases, we have a limit to which we can test in Ghana. In some cases we take the samples to Senegal to go and confirm,” he said.
The Minister said the latest briefing available to him put the number of suspected cases at about 450 for the period under review.
“But for now, from June, for the briefing I had as recent as yesterday, the suspected cases were around 450 from June to September,” Mr. Akandoh said.
He also confirmed the figures from the Upper West Region.
“Out of that, 74 were from the Upper West and three were confirmed from Upper West,” he added.
The Minister declined to disclose the number of deaths associated with the suspected cases, explaining that health professionals must first establish whether a death can be attributed to yellow fever.
“You see, sometimes the health professionals have a way of determining whether or not a death is attributable to a particular disease. But not until it’s confirmed, we don’t have to press the panic buttons. So let’s, the media, please let’s handle this well,” he said.
As part of the response, Mr. Akandoh said a National Rapid Response Team had been deployed to northern Ghana, particularly the Upper West Region, while additional hospital areas had been demarcated or isolated to manage cases.
He also sought to reassure the public that the situation was being managed.
“And so, please, and with respect to yellow fever, the guideline is that when you report more than one or two, it is enough to declare an outbreak. And so it is not out of hand,” he said.
The Minister said the Ministry would provide a fuller briefing on the yellow fever situation after further assessment.
He urged the media and the public to rely on official information as health authorities continue surveillance, testing and response measures.
