The Chief of Staff, Prosper Bani has asked church leaders in the country to support government’s efforts by using the pulpit to educate their members on how to prevent the introduction and spread of Ebola into the country.

Mr. Bani made these remarks at a special meeting with the clergy organized in Accra on Monday 15 December, 2014 by the Inter-Ministerial committee on Ebola. According to him, the church plays a significant role in shaping the mindset of the citizenry.  

“You are the ones the people trust, and that is why it’s very important to partner with you to drum home the message”, he added.

He added that the government will involve the clergy in developing specific messages based on hope and faith that will manage the psychosocial expectations associated with the Ebola Viral Disease to target Christian believers. 

The Chief of Staff noted that the disease has stigmatized the three most affected countries to the extent that some airlines have had to suspend their flights to these countries thereby making it very difficult to travel to those countries. 

“It is sad to mention that due to Ebola some of our beautiful cultural activities like shaking hands and embracing each other during church services and other gatherings, may have to be to be curtailed, and stricter personal hygiene practices like washing hands and using hand sanitizers, made more common to prevent and reduce the spread of Ebola, were it ever to come to Ghana”. 

He pointed out that Government is aware that it is normal practice during the period leading up to Christmas for churches and other religious organizations to hold international meetings and other activities. In as much as government is not against the holding of such meetings, the safety and security of all Ghanaians should be taken into consideration. 

Mr. Prosper Bani appealed to the leadership of the various religious organizations and the general public to abide by government’s directive of restricting the holding of international meetings which has been extended to December, 31st 2014. 

He emphasized Governments commitment in ensuring that Ghana does not record any confirmed case.  “Several precautionary measures have been put in place in this regard.  Screening and other surveillance activities are ongoing at the various points of entry” ; he added.

On their part, the leaders of the various churches expressed great satisfaction to the presidency for their involvement in the fight against the Ebola Viral Disease. They recognized the leadership role Ghana has played in the sub-region as the logistical base of the United Nations Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), and the central role taken by ECOWAS and the West African Health Organization (WAHO) to coordinate the sub-region’s support to the three affected countries by sending health workers to support the fight against Ebola. 

They however expressed dissatisfaction at not being involved in the initial planning process and hoped that from now, they will be provided the opportunity to be part of efforts to prevent Ebola from coming to Ghana. 

They reassured government that they will continue to promote preventive health measures such has no hand shaking, provision of hand sanitizers at vantage points, and revised communion practices to help fight EVD. 

The clergy advised that legislation is passed through local government and the chieftaincy institution to ensure that dead bodies are handled safely and buried early enough to minimize exposure to potential infectious disease like Ebola.

Ebola Viral Disease (EVD) has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in the sub-region that continues to claim many lives. As at 13 December 2014, 18,476 people have been infected, and 6,841 people have died. 

Ebola Virus Disease has no respect for boundaries. The initial outbreak of Ebola in Guinea quickly spread to other countries within the sub-region; Ghana has so far not registered a case.