Five Years After COVID-19 in Ghana: A Hidden Blessing for Public Health Practice

On March 12, 2025, Ghana observes five years since its first COVID-19 case, reflecting on public health advancements achieved during the pandemic. The country faced a formidable challenge yet emerged with a robust surveillance system, improved laboratory testing capacity, and vital public-private partnerships. Notable successes included the establishment of Public Health Emergency Operations Centers and the National Vaccine Institute, establishing a foundation for a proactive public health strategy for future outbreaks.

On March 12, 2025, Ghana commemorates five years since the first recorded COVID-19 case. This pandemic served as a significant examination of the endurance of public health systems, notably in Ghana, where approximately 172,000 infections and 1,462 deaths were reported. The country’s surveillance mechanisms remained effective throughout the pandemic until the World Health Organization declared it over in 2023.

Ghana’s response to COVID-19 was widely acknowledged for its effectiveness in case detection and management. As the anniversary arrives, it presents an opportunity to reflect on the monumental public health victories that have redefined Ghana’s health framework in preparation for future health emergencies.

Notably, the initial case emerged as Ghana grappled with ongoing outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). This situation prompted an all-encompassing governmental response to pandemic management, showcasing the necessity for a focused approach to public health in Ghana.

The national response, characterized by robust coordination and inter-ministerial collaboration, underscored public health’s newfound prominence in national priorities. Such a whole-of-government strategy marked a transformative shift in the public health paradigm in Ghana, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced focus and resources.

The pandemic allowed critical advancements in disease surveillance, case management, and public health policies, including the establishment of national and regional Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs). These centers served as crucial hubs for coordinating pandemic responses and managing outbreak data effectively.

Moreover, significant transformations occurred in disease surveillance systems, transitioning from conventional paper-based reporting to digital platforms like the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS). This modernization has proven essential not only during the pandemic but for managing future outbreaks effectively.

Ghana also fortified its laboratory testing capacity, adopting innovative practices such as pooled testing. The nation positioned itself among the leading countries in the WHO African Region for COVID-19 tests conducted per capita, signaling a robust public health response.

The crisis propelled the full utilization of national reference laboratories, including the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research. This expansion demonstrated Ghana’s capability to enhance diagnostic resources in times of overwhelming public health demand.

Another noteworthy success was the implementation of a coordinated case management system ensuring devoted teams across all regions for severe COVID-19 cases, thereby improving the referral system. This led to the establishment of the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre (GIDC), which has since become instrumental in providing specialized care.

Additionally, the pandemic illuminated the importance of public-private partnerships, fostering innovation and supply chain resilience. These collaborations ensured the consistent availability of personal protective equipment and essential supplies, which aided in maintaining public health protocols across the nation.

The collaborative efforts among academia, health experts, and policymakers during the pandemic facilitated rapid development of guidelines and recommendations that were essential for decision-making based on real-time data, thereby integrating scientific insights into public health strategies.

Crucially, the pandemic highlighted the urgent need for vaccine self-sufficiency, resulting in the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI) tasked with local vaccine production. This initiative is poised to enhance Ghana’s capacity for response to future health threats and vaccine-preventable diseases.

While COVID-19 posed significant challenges, it concurrently revealed the strengths within Ghana’s public health system. Progress in areas such as disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, public-private partnerships, and vaccine production must be built upon to fortify a proactive public health infrastructure to confront present and future infectious disease challenges.

In conclusion, the five-year reflection on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana showcases a multitude of public health advancements that have emerged from the crisis. The establishment of effective surveillance systems, enhanced laboratory capacities, public-private partnerships, and a focus on self-sufficiency in vaccine production are pivotal successes. These improvements not only address the lessons learned from the pandemic but also serve as essential building blocks for a more resilient public health system in the face of future threats.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com