Ghana records first Mpox death as cases surge
July 27, 2025
Ghana has reported its first mpox-related death amid a sharp rise in infections, with 23 new cases last week bringing the national total to 257. This marks the country's highest weekly increase since the virus emerged in June 2022. Health Minister Akandoh assured the public that the outbreak is under control and emphasized the importance of early detection and responsible behavior. With vaccine doses from WHO expected imminently, officials are preparing to immunize at-risk populations. Ghana’s growing case count mirrors a concerning trend across West Africa, where mpox continues to spread, reinforcing the urgency for timely vaccination and regional coordination.
Ghana has confirmed its first death from mpox, a sobering milestone in the country’s ongoing outbreak that began in June 2022. With 23 new cases reported in just the past week, Ghana’s total case count now stands at 257—its sharpest weekly increase yet. The news arrives as the broader West African region battles a resurgence of the viral disease, marked by thousands of cases and mounting fatalities in countries like Sierra Leone, DR Congo, Uganda, and Burundi.
Mpox, a viral infection related to smallpox, spreads through close physical contact and is characterized by fever, body aches, and painful skin lesions. While often self-limiting, the disease can be severe or fatal, particularly in vulnerable populations. In Ghana, the arrival of vaccines from the World Health Organization this week offers hope. Public health officials, including Ghana Health Service’s Franklyn Asiedu-Bekoe, confirmed that vaccination rollout plans are ready and that at-risk groups have been identified.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh urged calm, asserting that “the situation is under control,” but emphasized the need for early detection and public responsibility in curbing transmission. Still, Ghana’s trajectory mirrors a troubling regional trend. Africa CDC data shows over 47,000 confirmed cases and 221 deaths since January 2024, with more than 27,000 cases reported this year alone. Sierra Leone, for example, has logged 3,350 cases and 16 deaths as of late May.
The World Health Organization continues to classify mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As the virus expands across West Africa, Ghana’s first fatality is a critical reminder: without swift vaccination, testing, and community engagement, isolated cases can become national crises. A coordinated, regional response—driven by science and equity—remains essential to containing mpox’s spread.