Ghana has begun a two-day annual meeting of the Regional Technical Advisory Committee (ReTAC) of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Western Africa Regional Coordinating Centre (RCC), with a strong focus on improving regional health security and preparedness for public health emergencies.
The meeting brings together health experts and key stakeholders to assess major health security challenges, exchange technical knowledge and develop practical strategies to improve disease surveillance, emergency response and preparedness across West Africa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister for Health and Chairman of the Africa CDC Western Africa Regional Steering Committee (ReSCO), Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the meeting as timely as African countries intensify efforts to build stronger health systems, enhance regional cooperation and promote health sovereignty.
According to the Health Minister, lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola outbreaks, together with emerging health threats such as mpox, Marburg virus disease and antimicrobial resistance, have highlighted the urgent need for stronger cooperation among African countries.
He noted that infectious diseases and other public health threats do not recognise national borders, making regional collaboration essential for effective disease prevention and emergency response.
Hon. Akandoh called for enhanced cross-border disease surveillance, faster information sharing, resilient medical supply chains and investment in a skilled public health workforce.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening its health security systems through improved disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, genomic sequencing and emergency preparedness.
The Minister also highlighted efforts to promote local manufacturing of essential medicines, vaccines and diagnostic products as part of Ghana’s strategy to improve health system resilience and reduce dependence on external supplies.
He urged members of ReTAC to develop practical, evidence-based and scientifically sound recommendations that will strengthen the Western Africa RCC and improve the region’s ability to respond rapidly and collectively to future disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
The two-day regional health security meeting has attracted technical experts from the 15 African Member States in the West African Region, representatives of regional economic communities, health development partners, Africa CDC Headquarters and the Western Africa RCC Secretariat.
Their participation is expected to strengthen regional coordination, improve emergency preparedness and support the development of a more resilient public health system across West Africa.
Source: newsthemegh.com