Chiefs in Upper East trained on Ebola prevention

The Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRAD)-Ghana, has organised orientation forum for 130 traditional and religious leaders from Upper East Region aimed at sensitising them on the Ebola viral disease and cholera.

It was funded by UKaid with support from Ghana Health Service (GHS) using the Behavioural Change Communication tool.

The traditional and religious leaders are expected to create awareness in their communities to help fight against the spread of diseases in their communities.

Speaking to Ghana Agency at one of the forums, the Regional Coordinator of ISRAD , Mr Abdul-Razak Issah explained that the selection of the stakeholders was very strategic because their communities are endemic with cholera cases and share borders with neighbouring countries that have recorded cases.

He added that most of the unapproved entry points in the region pose a threat to the country.

He asked the participants to be vigilant in checking people migrating from neighbouring countries for thorough screening.

Mr Baba Awuni, the Regional Disease Control and Surveillance Officer of GHS, who facilitated the programme asked the stakeholders to adopt good hygiene and sanitation practices for the prevention of cholera and Ebola and lead the clean-up campaign crusade in their communities to help avert the spread of diseases.

A similar orientation was organised for community surveillance volunteers who were selected in consultation with the GHS to act as agents of change in their localities.

Among their tasks is to educate community members on ways to avoid contracting cholera and Ebola, help in early detection of signs and symptoms and to give quick alerts to the health authorities for appropriate professional handling of any outbreak.