Ghana has taken a major step toward strengthening its emergency preparedness and outbreak response capacity with the commissioning of the country’s first Public Health Operations Response Centre at Pantang. The centre, established by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), will serve as a national coordination hub for real-time disease surveillance and rapid response.
The facility was officially commissioned by the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and handed over to the Ghana Health Service through the Ministry of Health.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister described the centre as a significant milestone in Ghana’s commitment to building a science-driven and resilient public health emergency system. He emphasized that strong coordination is essential for managing outbreaks and protecting public health.
Dr. Kokou Nouwame Ahinon, Regional Director of the Western Africa Regional Coordinating Centre of Africa CDC, highlighted the importance of the new centre in achieving the continent’s “7-1-7” target—detecting public health threats within seven days, notifying authorities within one day, and initiating an early response within seven days.
He explained that the centre provides modern tools, connectivity, and coordination systems linking district, regional, and national levels, while also facilitating collaboration with other African Union member states.
Dr. Ahinon said Africa CDC is proud to support Ghana with the infrastructure, equipment, and capacity required to strengthen its emergency readiness and improve health security across the region.
The new Public Health Operations Response Centre is expected to play a critical role in enhancing surveillance, data analysis, communication, and response coordination during health emergencies, further positioning Ghana as a leader in public health preparedness in West Africa.
