Introduction
The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which was first discovered about 40 years ago, is currently wreaking havoc and claiming lives in West Africa. The first case of the current outbreak was recorded in February 2014 in Guinea. The disease has now spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, claiming the lives of about 1848 people with a total number of 3707 documented and confirmed cases
1 . The World Health Organisation (WHO), national health authorities and security agencies as well as other stakeholders in the affected and neighbouring countries have taken measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Liberia and Nigeria have gone a step further to declare a state of emergency.
Ebola constitutes a great threat to economic development, means of livelihood, national internal activities, free movement of people and goods from places to places and national revenue. While health practitioners are yet to come up with an approved vaccine or cure for Ebola, the only way to currently curb the spread is through preventive measures. However, considering the lack of access to comprehensive information about the scope of the epidemic and the individual preventive measures to take, some remain unconcerned and this would considerably aggravate
the outbreak if concerted public education and preventive measures are not taken.
In view of this, the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) convened a consultative meeting under the theme: "Preventing the spread and transmission of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa". The session was held on Friday, 29 August 2014, at the conference hall of the West Africa Civil Society Institute and hosted about 60 participants from civil society organisations, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the media, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), professional associations, diplomatic missions and government agencies.
Objectives
The central aim of the session was to provide a platform to gather technical information and discern means to disseminate the information on the spread of EVD and to prevent transmission and contamination.
The specific objectives were to:
• Gather technical information about the causes, symptoms and chain of transmission of EVD; • Share practical information about individual preventive measures and expected government actions to prevent and/or contain an outbreak;
• Share best practices on how public education and sensitisation should be conducted to curtail the contamination and transmission of the virus; and
• Outline the critical role of the media in preventing the spread of the virus.
Moderated by the Executive Director of WACSI, Ms. Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, the 3-hours discussion commenced with an opening speech. The major discussion centred on 1) general information on the Ebola Virus disease; 2) Extent of spread and threats posed to Ghana as a country dealing with one of the most hit in West Africa, Liberia; 3) Measures in place to prevent and/or contain the virus; 4) Focused discussion on the Liberian Case; and 5) What civil society and media agencies can do to prevent and contain the spread in Ghana.
Highlights from the information of session
The information session was a useful educational platform to discuss the deadly Ebola disease, preventive actions to take, measures in place to address the current situation in relation to Ghana and possible recommendations for various stakeholders. The session helped to clear fears and clarify doubts and misconceptions about the status of the outbreak in Ghana and the implications for the country. Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Member of the National Technical Coordination Committee of the National Response to the Ebola Outbreak in Ghana reassured that the Government of Ghana is putting in place Ebola treatment centres in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale.
He added that the Government in its national response plan has budgeted over 30 million Ghana Cedis to bolster the country's preparedness to fight the disease should it eventually break out. This information was reaffirmed by the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Limuna-Muniru on Tuesday 19 August 2014 in Tamale during a sensitisation workshop aimed at educating key stakeholders about the disease and measures being put in place to prevent it in Ghana 2.
Furthermore, the meeting provided the opportunity to educate participants and insist on the need to disseminate the right information on the disease and share preventive measures among their constituencies. A great emphasis was placed on the need to educate people on the realities surrounding the disease and avoid placing too much focus on structures, because each Ghanaian has the responsibility to take preventive measures against the disease.
Finally, the session gave participants and stakeholders the opportunity to raise their concerns regarding the preparedness of Ghana as a nation to deal with the Ebola Virus Disease both in terms of prevention and containment. Based on the concerns expressed, recommendations were made towards ensuring that Ghanaians are not only aware of the realities around the EVD but are also prepared to take the necessary actions to prevent and contain it.
At the end of the 3-hour long debates, sharing and learning, participants offered sets of practicable recommendations to various stakeholders including ECOWAS, the national government, civil society and media agencies etc.
ECOWAS should:
• Develop and lead the operationalisation of a regional disease surveillance warning system that would be domesticated within member states;
• Strengthen the operational capacity of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) to respond to infectious diseases and shape healthcare practices in the region.
The Government of Ghana should:
• Ensure that all legitimate borders are carefully monitored to prevent entry of the virus into the country, rather than permanently closing all borders, which may impede on activities;
• Ensure that airport officials are adequately trained and educated on Ebola and its preventive measures;
• Raise more funds for activities targeted at preventing the Ebola Virus Disease from
breaking out in Ghana and put structures in place in case the disease enters the country;
• Establish a functioning secretariat that will specifically and exclusively handle matters related to the disease as this will make tackling the disease easier and safer;
• Educate citizens and create more awareness, especially on preventive measures through the Ministry of Communication;
• Insist that responsible authorities, agencies and institutions ensure that preventive measures are applied in public places.
Media agencies should:
• Promote the dissemination of credible and reliable information on EVD to the public;
• Delegate journalists who will solely concentrate on providing information on the new developments regarding the EVD locally and internationally especially in West Africa;
• Use their platforms to creatively educate general public through drama, shows, advertisements and other innovative initiatives which can effectively communicate the message to the people;
• Design creative public messages on EVD and disseminate in all local dialects to meet the information needs of the different groups of people in the country.
Civil Society Organisations should:
• Educate their various constituencies including women's movements, youth networks, associations etc. as much as possible on the EVD, especially on its preventive measures;
• Refrain from reporting uncertified and unverified news to the media in order to reduce the panic often caused by such news among the general public.
List of Participants
1. Agnes Agbevodi, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre
2. Agyapah Buah, Support for Community Mobilization of Projects and Programmes
3. Alex Nii Armah Hayford, Tenant Resources and Advisory Centre (TRAC Ghana)
4. Asare Boateng, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre
5. Barbara Abban, International Central Gospel Church-Christ Temple
6. Boris Some, West Africa Civil Society Institute
7. Celestina Lamptey, IBIS-Ghana
8. Charles Adu Brempong, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre
9. Charles Vandyck, West Africa Civil Society Institute
10. Christine Coleman Penna, Ghana Home Loans
11. Colette Nunekpeku, FHI360, The Science of Improving Lives
12. David Issaka, National Catholic Secretariat
13. Divine Amegashie, International Central Gospel Church-Christ Temple
14. Dora Twumasi T., Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association
15. Edna Aduserwaa, Daily Graphic
16. Elvis Adjetey, Star FM
17. Emelia Aryee, Modern Ghana Reporter
18. Emmanuel K. Bensah Jr., Africa in Focus / Radio XYZ
19. Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, Ghana Business News
20. Emmanuella Ontoyin, Strategic Youth Network for Development
21. Ernest Amoako, National Youth Authority
22. Felix Awindaogo, Kosmos Energy
23. Florence Anim, The Insight
24. Francis Palmdeti, Ghana Immigration Service
25. Franck Sombo, West Africa Civil Society Institute
26. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Ghana Health Service
27. George Owoo, Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC)
28. George Wilson, Aya Centre
29. Gertrude Habada, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre
30. Harrison Akubu, Associate for Change
31. Issifu Fuseini, Muslim Family Counselling Services
32. Jimm Formunjong, West Africa Civil Society Institute
33. John Tsotorvor, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre
34. Jonas Nyabor, Radio Universe / YIW
35. Joseph Nii Lamptey, Community And Family Aid Foundation (CAFAF)
36. Joseph S. Kwashie, Community and Family Aid Foundation (CAFAF)
37. Justice Lee Adoboe, Xinhwa News Agency
38. Kobby Blay, Ebola Watch Ghana
39. Kyei Baffour Charles, Empowerment Centre for Women and Children
40. Lara Lobo Monteiro, Brazilian Embassy
41. Linda Aryeetey, Ghanaian Times
42. Linda Edison, Society for Women And Aids in Africa (SWAA Ghana)
43. Lydia Y. Hagan, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre
44. Mary Tenkorang, Salt and Light Ministries
45. Maxwell Billson, Ghanaian Times
46. Mercy Hededzome, The Insight
47. Nana Afadzinu, West Africa Civil Society Institute
48. Nana Bemma Nti, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre
49. Nutakor Hillary Selassi, Ghana Health Nest (GHN)
50. Paul Armah, Strategic Youth Network for Development
51. Penelope Agbai, West Africa AIDS Foundation 52. Prince Asare, Diplomatic Call Care Foundation
53. Prince I. Abdallah, Mattiti Child Foundation
54. Rashid O., Rainbow Radio
55. S. Aaron Weah-Weah III, NAYMOTE - Liberia
56. Theodora E. O. Botchway, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre
57. Victor Gold Ackah Hayibor, Pro-Link
58. Victoria Kono Larbi, Alert Ghana Foundation
59. William Vest, IBIS-Ghana
60. Yaa Mensah, The Ghanaian Observer
61. Yabre Tene Dahmata, West Africa Civil Society Institute
62. Zinentah Nadia, Africa in Focus / Radio XYZ
For more information contact:
Policy Advocacy Unit
West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)
9 Bingo Street, East Legon Accra, Ghana
P.O Box 1956 Accra | Achimota, Ghana
Tel: +233 302 440213 | +233 302 522 589
Mob: +233 204355789 |+233 243746790
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.wacsi.org