Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has confirmed a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, attributing the surge primarily to an outbreak on the University of Ghana campus following recent Hall Week celebrations.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, July 1, Mr. Akandoh disclosed that out of 316 suspected samples, 107 have tested positive for COVID-19, with the Omicron variant identified as the main cause.
“As of now, 316 suspected cases—107 of those cases have been confirmed as COVID-19. Fortunately, there have been no hospitalisations and no deaths,” the Minister told lawmakers.
According to the Minister, the outbreak is currently localised to the university and has not spread significantly to other parts of Accra or the rest of the country.
The Minister revealed that the Hall Week celebrations at the University of Ghana were a key factor in the outbreak, citing poor adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols such as mask-wearing and social distancing.
“Mr. Speaker, after sending in a team to investigate, we found a few key issues that fuelled the spread. The most significant factor was the recent Hall Week celebrations held at the University. These events brought large crowds together, with little use of face masks or distancing,” he explained.
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In response, the Ministry of Health has:
- Deployed a national response team to collaborate with university and municipal health officials.
- Suspended all future Hall Week activities at the University of Ghana.
- Initiated a campus-wide education campaign through posters, campus radio, and student leadership.
- Held high-level meetings with the Ghana Health Service, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, and the School of Public Health.
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Mr. Akandoh urged the public to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures, including proper hand hygiene, mask usage in crowded spaces, and vaccination—especially for those who have not yet received booster doses.
Health authorities have also intensified surveillance and testing, particularly within educational institutions, to prevent further community transmission.
The Health Minister reassured Ghanaians that while the rise in infections is concerning, the situation remains under control thanks to swift intervention and public health coordination.
