Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has commissioned Ghana’s first Public Health Operations Response Centre, a state-of-the-art coordination hub established by the Africa CDC to boost the country’s emergency preparedness and response capacity.

The facility, located at Pantang in Accra, was officially handed over to the Ghana Health Service through the Ministry of Health.

It is designed to strengthen real-time data use, improve incident coordination and enhance decision-making during public health emergencies.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister described the centre as “a major step in Ghana’s commitment to building a stronger, science-driven emergency response system.”

He stated that effective coordination remains vital in managing outbreaks, adding that the centre is expected to support national operations as well as cross-border collaboration within the subregion and across the continent.

He further assured partners that the government will ensure the facility is properly maintained and used for its intended purpose.

Regional Director of the Western Africa Regional Coordinating Centre of the Africa CDC, Dr Kokou Nouwame Ahinon, said the centre is integral to the continent’s 7-1-7 target, detecting health threats within seven days, notifying authorities within one day, and initiating an early response within seven days.

He noted that the facility offers the tools and connectivity needed to link district, regional and national systems, and to foster collaboration among African Union member states.

Dr Ahinon added that Africa CDC is proud to support Ghana with the infrastructure, equipment and technical capacity required to strengthen emergency readiness.