On 5 June 2025, the Ghana Health Service, with funding and technical assistance from WHO, organized a training for field officers for a nationwide survey on poliovirus containment and risk assessment
ACCRA, Ghana, June 19, 2025/APO Group/ --
Ghana continues to make impressive strides in the fight against poliovirus, with the last confirmed case of Wild Poliovirus (WPV) recorded in 2008 and the most recent Variant Poliovirus (VDPV) detected in 2024. As the number of confirmed polio cases and detection of the virus in the environment decline steadily, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners remain committed in minimizing the risk of reintroduction of poliovirus.
On 5 June 2025, the Ghana Health Service, with funding and technical assistance from WHO, organized a training for field officers for a nationwide survey on poliovirus containment and risk assessment. The exercise was designed to ensure that biomedical laboratories handling poliovirus infectious or Potentially Infectious Materials (PIMs) are not inadvertently creating pathways for virus reintroduction.
Participants at the orientation were trained on the use of the WHO Open Data Kit (ODK) toolkit for conducting surveys, assessing risks in biomedical laboratories, and supporting facilities to implement appropriate biosafety and decontamination measures in line with WHO’s containment guidelines (GAPIII and GAPIV). Discussions also covered survey methodologies, biosafety and biosecurity practices.
Speaking at the training, Dr. Lawson Ahadzie, Chairman of the National Certification Committee on Polio Eradication, stressed the importance of following up with the recommendations of the survey.
“We are in the final lap of polio eradication. What remains is ensuring that all possible sources of virus reintroduction—especially from laboratories—are identified and secured. This training equips field officers with the skills to do just that”, he said.
Dr Raymond Dankoli, Global Polio Eradication Initiative Coordinator, highlighted the importance of the survey and implementation of findings. “This can also be seen as part of the general response measures to the confirmed Polio event in August 2024”, he added.
The last PIMs Survey and national risk assessment in 2022 identified seven laboratories across the country storing Poliovirus Potentially Infectious Materials (PV PIMs). These materials were classified as PIMs due to no laboratory investigations conducted. They were however securely contained within Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratories, with stringent decontamination and waste management protocols. Additionally, 66 vaccine repositories across regional and district hospitals were found to contain Sabin/bOPV stocks for routine vaccination activities.
Dr. Michael Adjabeng, Surveillance Officer with WHO Ghana, emphasized the need for the involvement of all stakeholders in the containment activities. “Ghana has come far, but the job isn’t finished. Containment is about responsibility. It’s about making sure we build upon progress made. This survey is a key part of that effort”, he stated.
Findings from the survey will be disseminated to key stakeholders, given the broader implications for containment and risk mitigation strategies. This survey will help identify any PV PIMs present in biomedical laboratories and ensure their appropriate handling and disposal in accordance with WHO containment guidelines for a polio free world.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana.
Glad to see many nations are taking the initiative to visit Somaliland and see with their own eyes "Africa's best kept secret"
Thank you Finland for everything; you are better 1milion times from a lot of Arab and Muslims countries…
Ibrahim, you have said it very well. I don't think all Arab states are against Somaliland, only Egypt and Libya and to a lesser extent Djibouti seem to oppose Somaliland. All for geo-political reasons, Egypt for the Nile and Ethiopia, and when Souther Sudan declares indepedence, then that will be all over. Djibouti, because of the economic threat we pose, but I don't see any reason why we can't do business with Djibout and prosper.
Libya, because of Qaddafi and his delusions.
The Finnish delegation talked about aid to Somaliland through UNICEF. Where are the projects?. I think all the developmental projects said to be granted to Somaliland are squandered through the middle. Nothing of substance is seen for real.
Another sceptic, open your eyes, I guess you haven't lived in or visit Somaliland, if you can't see any progress. Lest we forget Hargeisa and the rest of Somaliland in 1988.
@Ibrahim, let me correct you bro, Muslims are every time better than non blievers (Finland). Even if they are good for us we can’t compare them. It is true that most of the Arab countries are nothing for us. So remember bro next time Just say ARABS don’t include MUSLIMS “We r alwys better”
Sidiq, I agree we must clarify the difference between Muslim and Arab. Not all Muslims are Arabs, and not all Arabs are Muslim.
I think the point Ibrahim was making was that Finland has done more to assist Somaliland than most Arab nations, who happen to be predominantly Muslim.
There are exceptions to the above statement, UAE, and recently Saudi Arabia came to mind, but the likes of Egypt remain opposed to Somaliland, politically.
Alxamdu lilaah, Somaliland is here to stay.
Sidiq, I agree we must clarify the difference between Muslim and Arab. Not all Muslims are Arabs, and not all Arabs are Muslim.