Abuakwa South MP urges swift national response to Mpox outbreak

Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South and a member of Parliament’s Health Committee, Kingsley Agyemang, is calling for urgent government action to contain the growing Mpox outbreak in Ghana.

According to the MP, the rising number of cases, now reportedly over 200, and the confirmed deaths linked to the virus demand immediate national attention. He expressed concern over what he described as a “worrying silence” from key health authorities and government leadership.

“We are witnessing a steady increase in cases, yet very little is being done to inform the public,” Mr. Agyemang said. “Even in Parliament, most of us have not received any official briefing on the situation. This hasn’t come before the Health Committee, which is quite troubling.”

The lawmaker highlighted that awareness of the disease remains dangerously low, especially in some urban communities like Chorkor, where cases are said to be on the rise.

He noted that many Ghanaians are still unfamiliar with the disease and its symptoms, which complicates detection and response efforts.

“There is a major gap in public education. A lot of people don’t even know what Mpox is or how it spreads. That’s a serious challenge in trying to contain it,” he said.

Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, is a viral infection that spreads through close contact with infected individuals. Though outbreaks have historically occurred in West and Central Africa, the virus has recently resurfaced in several parts of Ghana, prompting public health concerns.

Mr. Agyemang drew comparisons to Ghana’s COVID-19 response, suggesting that the level of urgency shown then is lacking now.

“We had daily updates and coordinated national efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why is Mpox being treated differently when lives are at stake?” he questioned.

He called on the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and other relevant institutions to intensify public education, expand testing, and establish clear isolation protocols.

In addition, the MP appealed to media outlets to support the public health campaign through regular awareness programming.

“This is not a time for silence. Media houses must be deliberate in dedicating time and space to educate the public. We all have a role to play,” he added.

Mr. Agyemang concluded by urging the Cabinet to treat the outbreak as a national emergency and ensure that appropriate measures are rolled out swiftly.