Cholera Risk Persists After Floods: GHS Director Urges Ghanaians to Maintain Hygiene

The Director of the Public Health Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, has warned Ghanaians not to lower their guard against cholera despite receding floodwaters in many parts of the country. Speaking on 3 FM on Thursday, he stressed that the conditions enabling cholera transmission remain active and pose a continued public health threat.

Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe emphasised that cholera spreads through unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation—problems that persist in Ghana even after immediate flooding subsides. He cautioned the public against becoming complacent within days or weeks of the floods, urging citizens to remain careful about the food they consume and water they drink.

The GHS official highlighted that countries with reliable access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation infrastructure have largely eliminated cholera. Ghana, he noted, still faces significant challenges in these areas, making sustained vigilance essential.

Handwashing with soap and clean water remains the most cost-effective and accessible intervention to prevent cholera and other infectious diseases, Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe explained. He called on all Ghanaians to maintain regular handwashing habits, keep their surroundings clean, and practise proper sanitation throughout the rainy season to reduce disease outbreak risks.