The caution sounded by the Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, could not have come at a more critical time.
Following the World Health Organisation’s declaration of the recent Ebola Virus Disease outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), Ghana is once again reminded that in matters of public health, complacency can be costly.
The Minister’s appeal to Ghanaians to temporarily suspend handshakes may appear simple even inconvenient but it is both timely and necessary.
In a country where handshaking is deeply woven into the fabric of social interaction, such a directive is not merely about etiquette; it is about survival.
Traditions must sometimes give way to science, especially when lives are at stake.
It is reassuring that, as the Minister emphasised, Ghana has not recorded any confirmed cases of Ebola.
However, that is precisely why these measures must be taken seriously. Preparedness is most effective before a crisis, not after it has taken hold.
The lessons from past outbreaks, both within and beyond our borders, are too stark to ignore.
The Ghanaian Times commends the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service for their proactive stance.
The inspection of facilities at the airport and the push to improve screening systems demonstrate a commendable commitment to prevention.
The proposal to replace handheld thermometers with walk-through thermal scanners is not only practical but also sensitive to the psychological comfort of travellers. Public health interventions must inspire confidence, not fear.
Equally important is the directive to organisers of public events to provide hand-washing facilities.
In a society where large gatherings are common, be it funerals, religious services, or festivals, this measure is essential.
It places responsibility not only on government but also on individuals and institutions.
However, directives alone will not suffice. Compliance remains the true test.
The Minister’s firm reminder that “nobody is above the disease” is a message that must resonate across all levels of society.
Too often, rules are observed selectively, weakened by perceptions of status and privilege. Ebola, as history has shown, respects no such boundaries. What is required now is a collective shift in mindset.
Hand hygiene must become habitual, not occasional. The use of sanitisers and regular hand-washing with soap under running water must be embraced as daily essentials.
Equally, travellers must cooperate fully with health screening protocols, understanding that these measures are designed not to inconvenience but to protect.
There is also a role for sustained public education. Clear, consistent communication will be vital in preventing misinformation and unnecessary panic. As the Minister rightly noted, there is no cause for alarm, but there is every reason for alertness.
The Ghanaian Times urges all stakeholders, government agencies, private institutions, community leaders, and citizens to treat this moment with the seriousness it deserves.
Preparedness must be continuous, not reactive. Systems must be strengthened, not merely tested.
In the final analysis, the fight against potential outbreaks such as Ebola begins with individual responsibility.
A simple decision to forgo a handshake today could prevent a chain of transmission tomorrow.
Let us, therefore, heed the Minister’s call. Let us prioritise health over habit, vigilance over complacency, and collective safety over personal convenience.
For now, we can greet each other without contact. The time for handshakes will return. But only if we act wisely today.
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