Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has disclosed that health authorities recorded about 450 suspected cases of yellow fever across Ghana between June and September 2026, with 74 of the cases reported in the Upper West Region.
According to the Minister, three of the 74 suspected cases in the Upper West Region have so far been confirmed as yellow fever. He stressed, however, that suspected cases must undergo laboratory testing before a death or illness can be conclusively attributed to the disease.
“As of yesterday, the suspected cases were around 450 from June to September. Of those, 74 were from the Upper West, and three were confirmed from the Upper West. 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,” he said.
Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s Health Sector Update Engagement in Accra, Mr Akandoh said the government had intensified surveillance and response measures, particularly in northern Ghana. He said laboratories had been supplied with the necessary reagents to facilitate the testing and confirmation of suspected yellow fever cases.
The Minister further disclosed that a National Rapid Response Team had been deployed to the Upper West Region following the confirmation of cases. He added that designated areas at district hospitals had also been isolated to support the management of both suspected and confirmed patients.
Mr Akandoh appealed to the public and media organisations to remain calm and support the efforts of health authorities, assuring them that measures were being implemented to contain the situation. “We don’t have to press the panic buttons. So the media, please, let’s handle it well; there are a lot of things that have been deployed,” he said.
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