Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South and a member of Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, has raised concerns over Ghana’s level of preparedness to respond effectively to a possible Ebola outbreak, warning that the country could face serious challenges if urgent steps are not taken to strengthen the health system.

According to him, although some measures have been put in place over the years to improve disease surveillance and emergency response, significant gaps still exist in the country’s preparedness framework, particularly outside the capital.

Speaking on the issue, Dr. Agyemang noted that much of Ghana’s emergency health response capacity remains concentrated in Accra, leaving several regions vulnerable in the event of an outbreak.

“We are not fully prepared as a country. A lot of the preparedness systems are concentrated in Accra, and if there should be an outbreak in another part of the country, we could face serious challenges responding effectively,” he stated.

His comments come amid renewed concerns across West Africa following reported Ebola cases in parts of the sub-region and increasing calls for African governments to strengthen public health systems and emergency response structures.

Dr. Agyemang stressed the need for government and health authorities to move beyond reactive approaches and invest heavily in preventive healthcare systems, logistics, public education and rapid response mechanisms.

He also emphasized the importance of equipping health facilities across all regions with the necessary infrastructure, personnel and training required to handle infectious disease outbreaks.

According to the lawmaker, lessons from previous public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, should serve as a wake-up call for Ghana to improve coordination and decentralize emergency response systems.

He further urged authorities to intensify public awareness campaigns and strengthen surveillance systems at the country’s borders and within local communities.

Dr. Agyemang believes improving preparedness now would not only help contain future outbreaks but also protect lives and reduce pressure on the national healthcare system in times of crisis.