CfHSS with support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established two biosafety Level II facilities at the Tamale and Sekondi Public Health Laboratories under the first year of “Enhancing Global Health Securities: Expanding Effects and Strategies to Protect and Improve Public Health Globally (GHSA)”.
The United States Ambassador to Ghana, H. E Stephanie S. Sullivan and the Director General for the Ghana Health Service Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye commissioned the structures in both Tamale and Sekondi Public Health Laboratory to be put to full use. The new laboratories will support molecular testing of epidemic-prone infectious disease including SARS-CoV-2.
Speaking at both events held at the Sekondi and Tamale Public Health laboratories on the 24th and 26th August 2021 respectively, the Ambassador emphasized the willingness of the United States government to support and strengthen Global Health Security in low-to-middle income countries as Ghana and the delight in achieving this vision through CDC.
Dr. Patrick Kuma- Aboagye, the Director General for the Ghana Health Service also added his voice and showed his appreciation to CfHSS for diligently implementing the agenda of the CDC. He also stated that the facility will further strengthen the public health laboratories to detect and respond to outbreaks and pandemics as well as improve the quality of testing and reduce contaminations.
Mr. Kwabena Darko Asante, the Western regional minister and Mr. Shani Alhasan, the Northern regional minister spoke at the events held in their respective regions and showed their appreciation to CDC and CfHSS and cautioned the staff to put the facility to good use and ensure due maintenance.
The United States Ambassador, H. E Stephanie S. Sullivan, Dr. Patrick Kuma- Aboagye (Director General, Ghana Health Service), Dr. Tony Ao (Country Director, CDC Ghana), Dr. Danielle Barradas (Division of Global Health Protection Program Director, CDC Ghana), Dr. Franklin Asiedu Bekoe (Director of Public Health), Dr. Gifty Boateng (Head, National Public Health & Reference Laboratory), regional minister for each region and other dignitaries toured the respective facilities and expressed their satisfaction in their address to the media after.
