Ashanti Region: Amid threats of cholera outbreaks in Ghana, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), through its Health Promotion Division and with support from the Global Fund, has intensified efforts to strengthen public health education in the Ashanti Region. The initiative aims to equip health promotion officers and media professionals with critical risk communication and community engagement skills to curb the spread of the disease.
According to Ghana News Agency, cholera remains a persistent public health challenge in Ghana, particularly during the rainy season when water sources are more susceptible to contamination. To address this threat, the GHS is enhancing the capacity of frontline officers to effectively engage communities, counter misinformation, and promote life-saving hygiene practices.
Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, speaking at a risk communication training session for health promotion officers and selected journalists in the region, highlighted the importance of communication in disease prevention. "When health promotion officers are equipped with the right communication skills, they serve as trusted messengers, providing accurate and timely information about how cholera spreads, how to prevent it, and when to seek medical treatment," Dr. Boateng stated.
He emphasised that community outreach must be central to the strategy, calling on officers to deliver targeted messages through door-to-door visits, local gatherings, schools, markets, and religious institutions. "They must also listen to community concerns, identify misinformation and address rumours with facts in a calm and respectful manner," he added.
Recognising the essential role of the media in shaping public opinion, the GHS is also actively involving media personnel in its health promotion campaigns. Dr. Boateng described the media as a vital partner in national development and a powerful tool for reinforcing health messages. He also pointed out that media platforms could be instrumental in correcting false narratives by providing health experts with the opportunity to clarify issues and address public concerns credibly.
"By working in partnership with health promotion officers, the media becomes a bridge between the health sector and the public, building trust, increasing awareness, and encouraging community-wide action," he added. As part of the broader response, the Ashanti Regional Health Promotion Division has intensified public sensitisation efforts, especially in high-risk communities.
Local media outlets are collaborating with health teams to disseminate messages that encourage proper sanitation and personal hygiene. The public is being urged to adopt preventive measures, including drinking treated water, washing hands regularly with soap under clean running water, and seeking prompt medical attention at the first sign of symptoms.
