Audio By Carbonatix
The Ashanti Region has recorded eight polio cases in six districts, more than any region in the country since the beginning of this year.
The cases, all vaccine-derived polio virus Type Two represent more than 80 per cent of 12 cases recorded nationwide.
Though health authorities will not give details of affected districts, they say the situation calls for public support as it rolls out an ambiguous three-day immunisation programme targeting about 1.2 million children under five-years.
"The Ashanti Region recently recorded in six districts in what we call vaccine-derived poliovirus Type Two. And in accordance with established protocol, the region, together with other regions in the country would be embarking on massive polio immunization exercise," Deputy Regional Health Director in charge of Public Health, Dr Yaw Ofori Yeboah told the media in Kumasi.
The situation has prompted health authorities to roll out a three-day immunisation programme across the Region from September 10 to 13..

Deputy Regional Health Director in charge of Public Health, Dr. Yaw Ofori Yeboah asked parents to avail their children under 5-years for administration of safe vaccine in all 43-districts of the Ashanti region.
"The focus would be for children under the age of five-years. In Ashanti region, we would be targeting 1,184,860 children aged below five-years."
The affected districts are said to be areas noted for low immunization and insanitary conditions.
Dr. Ofori Yeboah admits the advent of Covid-19 which has affected routine health services in the region could be blamed for the situation.
He want all hands on deck to kick start the immunization exercise.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation says some polioviruses have been discovered in Greater Accra and Eastern region.
Immunization Officer, Fred Osei Sarpong revealed poliovirus were found in environmental sewage in those areas and speak of investigations into the virus.
"What we are also doing is aside from the fact that the virus can infect an individual and get that individual paralyzed; the virus is usually in the environment so, in order to satisfy ourselves that we don't have the virus with us, we do pick samples from environmental sewage, send to the lab and then we test."
Latest Stories
-
ECOWAS Court adjourns ruling on Torkornoo’s bid to halt removal proceedings
5 minutes -
Donkeys face extinction – Advocates demand crackdown on illegal hide trade
6 minutes -
Glasgow 2026: Ghana to present 40 athletes for Commonwealth Games
10 minutes -
We’ll use every legitimate means to stop ECG privitisation – TUC
19 minutes -
Now I feel like a celebrity – Anthony Osei reacts after JoyNews Impact Makers honour
34 minutes -
Kofi Bentil urges political tolerance to protect Ghanaian businesses and investment
38 minutes -
ECG’s biggest problem is forex – Dubik Mahama
44 minutes -
Man Utd reach agreement to appoint Carrick manager
51 minutes -
We must review and renegotiate all mining contracts – Kofi Bentil
58 minutes -
‘My heart is full’ – JoyNews Impact Makers winner celebrates courage of amputees
1 hour -
Dubik Mahama defends ECG reforms as IMF pushes for greater private sector participation
2 hours -
Government policies drove Ghana’s economic recovery, not IMF – Dr Nyarko Otoo
2 hours -
IMF gains should not be celebrated yet – Kofi Bentil
2 hours -
Ghana still addicted IMF programmes that don’t promote production – Dr Nyarko Otoo
2 hours -
IMF exit marks end of painful economic chapter – Dr. Theo Acheampong
3 hours