Ghana introduces Ebola screening and 21-day monitoring for travellers arriving at international airports

Story by: Regina Bless

The Ministry of Health, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has announced new Ebola screening and monitoring measures for passengers arriving at Ghana’s international airports following an outbreak of Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in some African countries.

The measures, announced in a public notice signed by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on November 3, 2026, are aimed at preventing the disease from entering Ghana and spreading through international travel.

According to the Ministry, Ghana has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Disease, and the measures are precautionary and will be reviewed as the situation evolves.

Under the new arrangements, passengers will be required to complete a Health Declaration Form before travelling and truthfully disclose any travel to or transit through Ebola-affected countries within the previous 21 days.

Travellers will also be required to disclose any close contact with suspected or confirmed Ebola patients, visits to health facilities managing Ebola cases, or participation in burial activities involving suspected cases.

On arrival, all passengers will undergo screening by Port Health officers, including non-contact temperature checks, examination of their health declaration forms and questions about their travel history, symptoms and possible exposure.

The Ministry further indicated that passengers presenting symptoms suggestive of Ebola or reporting possible exposure will be referred for immediate secondary assessment and, where necessary, taken to designated health facilities for further evaluation.

Additionally, passengers arriving from countries experiencing ongoing transmission will be monitored for up to 21 days. The Ghana Health Service will maintain contact with them for follow-up and require them to report any symptoms immediately.

The measures also extend to the hospitality sector, with hotels, conference venues and similar establishments required to report guests arriving from affected countries to the nearest district health directorate and maintain their contact details.

All arriving passengers have been urged to cooperate with Port Health officials, provide accurate travel and health information, practise regular hand hygiene and report any symptoms that develop during flights or at the airport.

The Ministry warned that passengers who knowingly provide false information, conceal symptoms or refuse to comply with screening requirements will be subject to public health measures under Ghanaian law.

The public has also been advised to rely on official information from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service and avoid spreading unverified information.

The notice was signed by the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (MP), on November 3, 2026.