Travellers arriving in Ghana from countries experiencing Ebola transmission will be placed under health monitoring for up to 21 days as the government steps up precautionary measures to prevent the disease from entering and spreading within the country.
The Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has announced enhanced public health interventions at the country’s international airports, requiring all arriving passengers to undergo health screening and provide information about their recent travel history and possible exposure to the virus.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and signed by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ministry said the monitoring requirement formed part of measures to minimise the risk of Ebola being imported into Ghana through international travel.
“Passengers arriving from countries with ongoing transmission will be monitored for up to 21 days. The Ghana Health Service will contact them for follow-up, and they must keep reachable contact details and report any symptoms immediately to the designated contact,” the statement said.
The Ministry assured the public, however, that Ghana had not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Disease, describing the interventions as precautionary measures that would be reviewed as the outbreak situation evolves.
“To date, Ghana has not recorded a confirmed case of Ebola Disease. These measures are precautionary and will be reviewed as the situation evolves,” it added.
All passengers to undergo airport screening
Under the new arrangements, every passenger arriving in Ghana will be screened by Port Health officers at the country’s international airports.
The screening will involve non-contact temperature checks, reviews of completed Health Declaration Forms and assessments of passengers’ travel histories.
Port Health officers may also ask additional questions about symptoms and possible exposure to the virus where necessary.
Passengers who exhibit symptoms suggestive of Ebola, have recently travelled from or through affected countries, or may have been exposed to a suspected or confirmed case will be referred for immediate secondary assessment.
Such passengers will be taken to designated areas for temporary isolation and evaluation before being referred to a health facility where necessary.
Travellers required to declare exposure before arrival
The Ministry has directed all passengers to complete a Health Declaration Form before travelling to Ghana and truthfully disclose any visits to or transit through Ebola-affected countries within the preceding 21 days.
They must also declare close contact with suspected or confirmed Ebola patients, visits to health facilities managing Ebola cases, participation in funeral or burial rites involving suspected cases, and contact with the blood, bodily fluids or contaminated materials of an ill person.
Travellers experiencing symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding or bruising have been advised to postpone their journeys and seek immediate medical attention.
“Travellers with fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding or bruising should postpone travel and seek medical attention immediately,” the Ministry cautioned.
Hotels and conference centres to report guests
The precautionary measures also extend to hotels, conference venues and similar hospitality establishments hosting visitors from countries affected by the outbreak.
Under the directive, these establishments must report guests arriving from affected countries to the nearest district health directorate of the Ghana Health Service.
They are also required to maintain records and contact details of all individuals who access their facilities while such guests are being hosted.
The requirement is expected to strengthen public health surveillance and assist health authorities in identifying and following up on individuals who may have come into contact with travellers considered to be at risk.
False declarations could attract legal consequences
The Ministry has urged all arriving passengers to cooperate fully with Port Health officers, provide truthful health and travel information, comply with screening instructions and practise frequent hand hygiene.
Passengers are also expected to report immediately if they develop symptoms during their journey or while at the airport.
It warned that anyone who deliberately provides false information, conceals symptoms or refuses to comply with screening requirements would be subject to public health measures under Ghanaian law.
“Any passenger who knowingly gives false information, conceals symptoms or refuses to comply with screening will be subject to public health measures under Ghanaian law,” the statement warned.
Measures follow Africa CDC meeting
Ghana’s latest interventions are consistent with commitments made at a recent ministerial meeting of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on the Ebola outbreak.
The meeting brought together representatives of all 55 African member states, including more than 40 ministers, to discuss coordinated preparedness and response measures.
Participating countries agreed to implement the preparedness actions discussed, strengthen surveillance at national borders and cross-border points, and keep borders open while investing in measures to prevent transmission.
The Ministry said the measures reflected Ghana’s commitment to strengthening disease surveillance and preparedness while maintaining international travel and cross-border movement.
Public urged to rely on official information
Meanwhile, the Ministry has urged the public to rely on official information from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service for updates on the outbreak and the country’s response.
It cautioned against spreading rumours and unverified information that could create unnecessary fear and confusion.
Members of the public with health concerns have been advised to contact the nearest Port Health officer at the airport or visit their nearest health facility.
Although Ghana has not recorded a confirmed case of Ebola Disease, the government says the precautionary measures are necessary to strengthen preparedness, improve early detection and reduce the risk of the virus being introduced into the country.
It also directed passengers to report immediately if they develop symptoms during their flights or upon arrival at the airport.
Warning against non-compliance, the Ministry said any passenger who knowingly provides false information, conceals symptoms, or refuses to comply with screening requirements would face public health measures under Ghanaian law.
The public has meanwhile been advised to rely on official information from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service and avoid spreading rumours.
Anyone with health concerns has been encouraged to contact the nearest Port Health officer at the airport or visit the nearest health facility.
