The Former President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Mr Joseph Obeng has highlighted the growing importance of a nationwide disinfection programme that begins at the country’s seaports and now reaches markets, schools and factories.
The initiative, run by the Public Health Department under the LCB Worldwide partnership, requires every incoming container, vehicle and package to be treated before it leaves the port. “We bought into this because it makes sense – the goods we bring into our homes must be safe from the moment they arrive,” said a senior official from the Ministry.
He emphasized that the programme’s success rests on three pillars:
- Education and awareness – The Ministry conducts regular briefings to explain why disinfection matters, ensuring that traders, transporters and the public understand the health risks of un‑treated cargo.
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR) – The business community insisted on embedding CSR into the agreement, allowing companies to sponsor disinfection drives in markets, secondary schools and other public spaces.
- Cost‑sharing and transparency – While the service incurs a fee, recent attempts to raise prices were met with dialogue. “We work together because we all feel the impact of any extra cost,” a trader noted.
Since its rollout, the programme has expanded beyond the port. Recent activities include a mass disinfection of a Sunday market and regular cleaning of school premises, actions that have been welcomed by traders and parents alike. “When we know our containers are free of disease, we can operate with confidence,” a market vendor said.
The effort, formalised through a 2017 service agreement and amended in 2019, aligns with WHO International Health Regulations and ISO standards for quality, safety and environmental management. It has also spurred research into more effective disinfectants, contributing to a decline in cases such as monkeypox.
Ghana’s model has attracted international attention. Delegations from Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria have visited the ports to learn how the system works, and officials say the programme positions Ghana as a regional leader in biosecurity.
“Until COVID‑19, mass disinfection was not common,” one health official remarked. “Now we see the benefit of stopping threats at the point of entry, and we are proud to share this approach with our neighbours.”
The programme’s continued success, participants agree, depends on sustained collaboration, transparent cost‑sharing and the shared belief that protecting health also safeguards the economy.
Story by: Ernest Frimpong
