The American Chamber of Commerce Ghana says American companies operating in Ghana will offer assistance to the government of Ghana to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola disease to Ghana.
This was disclosed at a briefing on Ghana’s preparation so far in the event of an outbreak.
Speaking at the briefing Deputy Health Minister, Dr Victor Bampoe, assured the American business community of the country’s preparedness to curb a possible Ebola outbreak.
The government is said to be stepping up efforts at containing any Ebola case that may enter the country as the virus moves from Africa to western countries.
The Deputy Minister told the American Chamber of Commerce that the Chief of Staff, Mr Prosper Douglas Bani had meet with a joint US and Nigerian delegation at the Flagstaff House as part of effects to be able to handle any possible outbreak. The meeting saw the Nigerian delegation share Nigeria’s experience
at successfully containing the Ebola virus.
President John Dramani Mahama had at the Odwira Festival this year told Ghanaians that the government
was activating an insurance package to motivate health workers who would battle the disease in the event
of an introduction of the virus in the country and mentioned that about 10,000 pieces of protective ware
had been procured for health workers.
Currently we are told that the Tema Ebola Isolation Centre was ready and has facilities such as wards,
changing rooms for male and female infected persons, change rooms, a cadaver holding bay, among others.
Speaking to Citi Business News President of the American Chamber of Commerce Ghana Philippe Ayivor said
American Companies are ready to support and collaborate with Ghana in the fight against Ebola.
“We are willing and we are able to support but as to whether we will be able to support the government
in all the request they are making that the Chamber will discuss with its members to deal with that. I
will want to just make it clear that American companies are ever ready to help the government of Ghana
to fight the Ebola menace.”
Companies like Coca cola, Newmont and Price Water House Coppers gave presentations on what they are
doing in their own small way to educate their staff and the communities they operate in which they say
has gone well so far.
The American government represented by the Ambassador says it’s committed to helping Ghana through
training of its staff and education in fighting Ebola.
In his presentation, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Gene A. Cretz, said the US recognised Ghana’s
leadership role in the ECOWAS region, both as a good neighbour in times of others’ needs and as a hub
for humanitarian and UN operations on Ebola control. The US Embassy says they have currently a team
working on Ebola preparedness with regard to Ebola. Mr Crutz mentioned the strides made in preparation
for any introduction of Ebola in Ghana but said such efforts can be fully effective when the
transmission rate in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea was brought under check.
“We have already committed 1.7million dollars in AID money; we’ve had the CDC here who has engaged in
several days of training to help Ghana identify what its strengths and potential weaknesses are. we will
continue to work with the UN here in Ghana to make sure the country is prepared to deal with Ebola
should there be an outbreak.”
