Ghanaian peacekeepers returning from ‘Ebola-infested’ Liberia are to be thoroughly screened for the deadly virus.

Immediate past Defence Minister Mark Woyongo says the screening is part of government’s determination to avoid the outbreak of Ebola.

Mr Woyongo, who is now Minister for the Interior, reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring persons carrying the lethal virus do not pass through the country’s entry points unnoticed.

We want to ensure that our people [peacekeepers] when they come back they are Ebola-free and that they do not come in with the disease to contaminate their families,” Mr. Woyongo told Joy News Tuesday, on the sidelines of a handing over ceremony to induct Dr Ben Kumbuor into office as the new Defence Minister.

“They are subjected to strenuous screening so those who have it by all means will be detected,” he stressed.

          

In a related development, Minister of Health Dr. Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah on Tuesday inspected screening measures at the Elubo border in the Western Region.

He made a stop-over at Komenda in the Central region where some returnee fishermen arrived from Liberia last week, reportedly infected with the virus.

Dr. Agyemang-Mensah assured residents of government's resolve to ensure that the disease does not enter the country. He however, called on the public to heed to ongoing awareness campaign and follow strict guidelines in order not to get infected should the virus be reported in the country.

                                

Bat-eating-residents in Tamale

Meanwhile some residents of the Northern regional capital, Tamale, have expressed concerns after they sighted a colony of bats flying in the municipality.

The residents fear the bats, which usually fly between 5-7pm daily, could be carrying the Ebola virus. Their fear is heightened by the fact that bats are a delicacy for many of the residents.

“I’m worried because I see plenty bats around these days,” a resident told Correspondent Martina Bugri.

Another resident said: “These bats are entering the country and we don’t know where they are coming from. We are worried and we are appealing to the appropriate authorities to investigate so that this Ebola does not get into the country”.