The College of Health Sciences has held its 5th Biennial Public Lecture under the theme “Update on COVID-19 in Ghana. Building a Resilient Strategy to Combat Future Pandemics.” The Lecture which was held virtually was chaired by Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Director of Institutional Care Division, Ghana Health Service.
The Speakers were Professor William Ampofo, an Associate Professor and former Head of the Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson, Associate Professor and Head of Department of Child Health, University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS) and Professor Ernest Kenu, An Associate Professor and Epidemiologist at the Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health (SPH).
All three speakers were from the College of Health Sciences. Welcoming the participants, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Julius Fobil noted that it was the first time that the Public Lecture was being held virtually. He explained that the Lecture was being held because of the raging COVID-19 pandemic. According to Professor Fobil, the College holds the Biennial Public Lecture in line with its mission to promote health through education, research and service, as well as provide promotive, preventive and curative services to meet the health needs of the nation and the global community. He asked participants to increase their knowledge about the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic, recognise the ongoing efforts to combat it in Ghana and strategies to prevent future pandemics. He urged participants to make good use of the information to be shared to enrich their knowledge.
Professor Julius Fobil, Provost of College of Health Sciences
In his opening remarks, the Chairman for the Lecture, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director of Institutional Care Division of Ghana Health Service, expressed his joy of meeting old friends and acquaintances. He noted how lucky we were as a country not to have experienced the effects of Ebola during the outbreak in West Africa. He indicated that, COVID-19 issues should be discussed in a comprehensive manner. According to him, COVID-19 had proven to us that all units and sectors are inextricably linked to each other. He noted that we were all part of the problem and part of the solution and no one deserved to be left behind.
Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Chairman for the Lecture
Delivering his lecture on Update on COVID-19 Pandemic in Ghana, the Virologist and Coordinator of National Laboratory Network for COVID-19 Testing, Professor William Ampofo stated that the disease associated with the novel coronavirus – severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that affected the lower respiratory tract of patients with pneumonia in Wuhan in China in December, 2019 is called COVID -19 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). He indicated that as COVID-19 was still ongoing with SARS-CoV-2 evolving, an update was a difficult undertaking.
Prof Ampofo indicated that public health measures in Ghana have been based on pillars of Testing, Tracking and Treating with Risk Communication providing important linkages. The testing led to the formation of the National Laboratory Network for COVID-19 that directly informed surveillance and case management. He added that antigen screening coupled with mandatory quarantine for incoming air travelers had been a major containment strategy to mitigate foreign importation of the virus. Ghana has also adopted molecular screening of clinical cases using pre-existing equipment of the Tuberculosis Prevention Programme. Limited antibody surveys have provided some data on surveillance, and specific vaccine-effectiveness studies are being initiated. Early genomic sequencing of SARS-COV-2 by Ghanaian scientists provided timely evidence that informed major policy decisions. The notable achievements by pooled testing that provided disease intelligence gathering during the lockdown and the prioritization of laboratory supplies and stockpiling were major milestones in Ghana’s response, he noted.
Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson speaking on Ghana’s Strategy so far in Combating COVID-19 indicated that the first case of COVID- 19 was reported in Ghana on 12th March. 2020, a day after the WHO declared it a pandemic. According Prof Yawson, the pandemic had demonstrated the critical importance of a resilient health system in protecting health security. Health systems globally have been severely overwhelmed by large surge of patients with respiratory symptoms, lack of space, essential medical supplies, and workforce to manage patients. It has affected millions and left thousands of mortalities in its wake globally. Ghana has made efforts and taken steps to control the pandemic, yet we continue to experience the surges and waves as the pandemic evolves, and has really tested the resilience of the health system.
As a nation with a large proportion of vulnerable unvaccinated population, all preventive measures that have served us so well must be strengthened and continued – wearing of facemasks, handwashing and sanitizing the hands, social/physical distancing and avoidance of mass gatherings, Unfortunately, these measures have been extremely difficult to enforce and complied with at the individual and population levels.
Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson
Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson speaking on Ghana’s Strategy so far in Combating COVID-19 indicated that the first case of COVID- 19 was reported in Ghana on 12th March. 2020, a day after the WHO declared it a pandemic. According Prof Yawson, the pandemic had demonstrated the critical importance of a resilient health system in protecting health security. Health systems globally have been severely overwhelmed by large surge of patients with respiratory symptoms, lack of space, essential medical supplies, and workforce to manage patients. It has affected millions and left thousands of mortalities in its wake globally. Ghana has made efforts and taken steps to control the pandemic, yet we continue to experience the surges and waves as the pandemic evolves, and has really tested the resilience of the health system.
As a nation with a large proportion of vulnerable unvaccinated population, all preventive measures that have served us so well must be strengthened and continued – wearing of facemasks, handwashing and sanitizing the hands, social/physical distancing and avoidance of mass gatherings, Unfortunately, these measures have been extremely difficult to enforce and complied with at the individual and population levels.
According to Prof Yawson, government’s response to limit the effects of the pandemic on socio-economic activities including, limiting and stopping the importation of cases, detecting and containing cases, caring for the sick, social and economic responses to protect the most vulnerable, and improving capacity and deepening self-reliance.
Professor Ernest Kenu
Professor Ernest Kenu concluded the Lecture on the topic Strategies to Combat Future Pandemics. He indicated that stringent control should be imposed on drivers that influence how soon a pandemic occurs including control of human behavior starting from the family unit. At the stage of prevention and preparedness, International health regulations should be strictly enforced in all countries with standardised mechanisms in all states.
Prof Kenu added that in combating future pandemics, strategies should focus on emergency preparedness, stringent behavioural controls from household level along with holistic multisectoral support that provides adequate financial and infrastructural preparation before, during and after pandemics.
This year’s Biennial Public Lecture was the fifth to be organised by the College. It was the first time to be organised virtually. Among the few people that were present at the virtual lecture were Professor Andrew Anthony Adjei, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the Biennial Public Lecture, Mr. Michael Opare Atuah, College Secretary, Mrs. Elizier T. Ameyaw-Buronya, Director of Public Affairs and Members of the Planning Committee.
A group picture of the Speakers and other dignitaries after the Lecture
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