Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South Constituency and a Member of Parliament’s Select Committee on Health, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has voiced strong disapproval of what he sees as the government’s sluggish and indifferent response to the ongoing Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) outbreak in the country.
In an interview with Joy News, Dr Agyemang decried the glaring disconnect between the growing number of confirmed Mpox cases and the lack of an adequate national response.
He warned that the government’s silence, coupled with the absence of clear public health messaging, is placing countless lives at risk.
“Over 200 cases have been recorded, with one confirmed death,” he stated. “Yet, many of my constituents—and even Members of Parliament—have not been officially briefed. This hasn’t even come before the Health Committee.”
In the face of rising infections and what he calls worryingly low awareness, Dr Agyemang expressed grave concern over the lack of public awareness surrounding the disease.
Despite the rise in cases, particularly in high-density areas like Chorkor, he said public understanding remains dangerously low.
“Go to the streets and ask young people about Mpox—most don’t even know what it is. That is alarming,” he remarked. “This is a medical condition that can affect anyone. We need deliberate national communication.”
He attributed much of the confusion and complacency to ineffective health promotion and poor public education, warning that misinformation and underreporting may complicate containment efforts.
Drawing comparisons with Ghana’s COVID-19 response, Dr Agyemang said the handling of the Mpox outbreak falls far short of expectations, insisting it is a missed opportunity to apply lessons from COVID-19.
“During COVID, we saw active engagement from the presidency and daily briefings. Why is Mpox being treated differently when it also poses a serious public health risk?” he questioned.
He called for a coordinated national response, urging the government to launch a comprehensive plan that includes enhanced screening, stronger isolation protocols, expanded testing, and a well-structured public education campaign led by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.
Turning his attention to the media, Dr Agyemang appealed to journalists and broadcasters to treat the outbreak with the seriousness it deserves by using their platforms to educate the public.
“What protocols are you airing? What information are you sharing with the public?” he challenged. “The media must be deliberate. This is not a time to pick and choose what trends—this is about the health of the nation.”
Dr Agyemang concluded with a passionate call for immediate Cabinet-level intervention, stressing that the cost of inaction is far too high.
“The government must act now. The health of the nation is not negotiable.”
Mpox, a contagious virus spread through close contact, has historically surfaced in parts of West and Central Africa. However, its recent re-emergence in urban populations has alarmed health experts, who are urging increased vigilance as containment efforts gain momentum.
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