Ghana records eight deaths, over 1,000 mpox cases since May 2025 – Health Minister
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has revealed that Ghana recorded eight deaths and over 1,000 confirmed cases of Mpox since a fresh outbreak began in May 2025.
The minister disclosed in Parliament while responding to questions from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin about the rising number of cases of the disease across more than 120 districts nationwide.
According to Mr Akandoh, “Since the outbreak began in May 2025, the Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service and with partner support, has activated a coordinated multi-sectoral response aimed at interrupting transmission and protecting public health.”
He noted that as of November, 25,880 cases had been confirmed. “The situation updates as of 3rd March 2026 indicate that Ghana has recorded 1,038 confirmed cases and eight deaths, largely among persons with underlying health conditions,” he said.
“Currently, there is only one case on admission, and we have no critical cases,” Mr Akandoh added, highlighting that 124 districts across all regions, representing 47.51% of the country, have reported confirmed cases, with the Greater Accra and Western Regions being the most affected.
The Health Minister explained that the response is being implemented through strengthened coordination and emergency operations, intensified surveillance, and contact tracing with 21-day follow-ups.
He said, “Sustained laboratory testing continues at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research. Case management and infection prevention and control have also been reinforced, and community engagement has been intensified through public education and collaboration with community leaders, civil society, and the media.”
On vaccination, Mr Akandoh stated, “Reactive vaccinations have been implemented in identified hotspots among high-risk contacts. Ghana received 33,600 monkeypox vaccines from Africa CDC and WHO, and 31,231 persons across 12 districts in the Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Western Regions have been vaccinated, achieving coverage exceeding 95% of the target population.”
He emphasised the government’s commitment to patient care, saying, “Medical bills relating to patient care during this outbreak are covered by the state, so no cost is passed on to affected persons.”
“The interventions are yielding results,” Mr Akandoh said. “Although sporadic cases have been recorded over the past two months, the overall trend shows a significant decline following the introduction of vaccination.”
He urged support from Parliament, stating, “Government remains committed to sustaining the response and strengthening the country’s health security architecture. Honourable members are encouraged to support this mission of providing accurate information to our people.”
