Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has disclosed that Ghana has recorded approximately 450 suspected yellow fever cases over the four-month period from June to September 2026.
The Upper West Region accounts for 74 of the suspected cases, while three cases from the region have been confirmed, according to the Minister.
Akandoh made the disclosure during a media engagement, where he appealed for caution in reporting the development as health authorities continue to verify suspected cases.
He said the country’s testing capacity means some samples have to be sent outside Ghana for confirmation.
“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,” the Minister said.
He explained that the distinction between suspected and confirmed cases was important, particularly when assessing deaths.
“But not until it’s confirmed, we don’t have to press the panic buttons,” he said.
Akandoh also confirmed that a rapid response mechanism had been activated in the affected areas.
“The National Rapid Response Team has been deployed to the northern part of the country, especially the Upper West, where we’ve detected cases,” he said.
He added that health authorities were also managing facilities designated for the isolation of cases.
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The Minister said the government was monitoring the situation closely and rejected suggestions that the situation had become uncontrollable.
“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 stated.
He further urged journalists to exercise restraint and obtain information from official sources.
The Minister did not disclose the number of deaths associated with the suspected cases, saying health professionals must determine whether deaths are attributable to the disease.
The disclosure comes as the Ministry of Health continues its response to suspected yellow fever cases detected between June and September.
Akandoh said a detailed briefing would be prepared to provide the country with more information on the situation.
He also noted that the Ministry’s response includes the deployment of personnel and isolation arrangements in affected areas.
He assured the public that authorities were working to manage the situation while verification of suspected cases continues.
