COVID-19 Surge at University of Ghana Linked to Hall Week Festivities — Health Minister

By Mavis Emefa Goka, July 1st , 2025

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has confirmed a total of 107 COVID-19 cases at the University of Ghana, Legon, attributing the recent spike to crowded Hall Week celebrations on campus.

Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, Mr. Akandoh revealed that 316 suspected cases had been identified within the university community, of which 107 have tested positive. He assured the public that all affected individuals are recovering and that no hospitalizations or deaths have been recorded.

“As of today, 1st July, we have recorded 316 suspected cases. Out of these, 107 have been confirmed as COVID-19 positive. 

There are no hospitalizations, and importantly, no deaths,” he said. “So far, the outbreak remains confined to the University of Ghana community and has not spread widely to Accra or other parts of the country.”

The Minister directly linked the outbreak to recent Hall Week activities at the university, noting that the events saw large gatherings with little adherence to COVID-19 safety measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing.

“A drop in compliance with basic safety protocols, along with challenges in contact tracing, contributed to the spread,” Mr. Akandoh added.

The Ministry of Health is also strengthening healthcare support at Legon Hospital and the Student Clinic and preparing the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre to handle any severe cases.

Additional resources are being deployed, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), training for frontline workers, and enhanced data monitoring and daily testing.

Mr. Akandoh emphasized that the current strain is a known Omicron variant. “This is not a new virus, and we are not back to 2020. It spreads fast, yes — but it is mostly mild. And we know how to manage it,” he assured Parliament.

Though COVID-19 vaccination is no longer part of Ghana’s routine immunization programme, the government is working to secure vaccines for vulnerable populations to reduce the risk of severe illness and death. Treatment options such as Paxlovid are available, and most mild cases are being managed at home.

The minister also touched on other emerging public health concerns, including a rise in seasonal flu and cholera cases, urging Ghanaians to maintain strict hygiene practices. On the MPOX outbreak, he reported 133 confirmed cases — mainly in the Western, Greater Accra, and Western North regions — with no hospitalizations or fatalities. Most patients have since recovered.

Mr. Akandoh concluded with a call for collective responsibility and vigilance, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting public health nationwide.