By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Ghana has received a fully refurbished and upgraded Emergency Operations Center (EOC) from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a major boost to the country’s ability to detect and respond swiftly to public health threats.
The handover ceremony took place at the national EOC facility in Pantang on Thursday, bringing together officials from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service (GHS), Africa CDC, and development partners.
Speaking on behalf of the GHS Director-General, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of the Public Health Division, said the upgraded EOC marks Ghana’s first fully equipped environment dedicated to coordinated, high-level emergency response. He explained that an assessment by the Africa CDC identified the need for a more robust and integrated space to enhance national readiness for future outbreaks.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe added that the new centre would serve as the country’s main coordination hub, responsible for gathering and analysing data, monitoring threats, and guiding rapid action during emergencies. He noted that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to shape investments in Ghana’s public health infrastructure.
Representing the Africa CDC, Dr. Womi Eteng Oboma Eteng, Team Lead for PHEM Systems Strengthening, walked participants through the establishment and evolution of Emergency Operations Centers across Africa. He emphasised the vital role EOCs play in the detection, prevention, and control of epidemics, and urged the media to prioritise responsible and accurate reporting, noting that public communication directly shapes outbreak outcomes.
Dr. Eteng also reminded member states of the African Union’s expectation that all countries invest in similar facilities and submit regular updates on their progress.
Africa CDC Regional Director, Dr. Kokou Nouwame Alinon, commended Ghana’s leadership in public health preparedness and praised the Minister for Health for championing improvements in emergency response systems. He highlighted the continent’s 7-1-7 model—which targets detection within seven days, notification within one day, and response within seven days—and expressed confidence that the upgraded facility would position Ghana as a regional leader in meeting these goals.
Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the handover as a significant milestone that aligns with the President’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s emergency response systems. He thanked the Africa CDC for its continued support through capacity building, technical assistance, and the provision of critical equipment. The Minister assured that the resources would be put to effective use and emphasised that public health decisions in Ghana will remain anchored in scientific evidence and reliable data. He also called on the Africa CDC to extend similar support to other countries across the region.
The refurbished Emergency Operations Center will function as Ghana’s nerve centre for public health emergencies—bringing together data, expertise, and real-time decision-making to ensure rapid, coordinated action during outbreaks and other health threats.
