Claim: Ghana recorded a confirmed case of Ebola in the past

Source: Captain Smart

Verdict: FALSE

Researched by Julius Kofi Satsi

The host of Maakye Morning Show on Onua FM/TV, Blessed Godsbrain Smart, aka Captain Smart claims Ghana recorded a confirmed case of the Ebola virus disease between 2012 and 2016, under former President John Mahama.

“What is the name of that disease again? Ebola. Which Ghanaian contracted the disease and died? Meanwhile, our president was in charge. They said some (the disease) had been identified in Ghana. Did it kill anyone? It could not kill anyone,” he retorted during the widely listened to programme on radio and TV on June 15, 2023 (here, between 1:23:15 – 1:23:41).

This fact-check report seeks to verify the accuracy of the claim.

 

Background

A number of countries in West Africa between 2014–2016 recorded cases of the Ebola disease – which was described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the largest outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976.

“There were more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It started in Guinea and then quickly spread to neighbouring countries Sierra Leone and Liberia. By July 2014, it had reached the capital cities of these three countries and in August 2014, WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” The WHO stated.

More than 28,600 people were infected, and 11,325 people died as of the time the outbreak was declared over in June 2016.

 

Fact-check

GhanaFact checks show Ghana did not record an Ebola case between 2012-2016, as suggested by Captain Smart and as evident in the countries listed by the WHO.

To further verify this claim, GhanaFact contacted the Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bokoe, who debunked the claim saying such diseases can never be hidden if recorded.

“Ebola, you cannot hide it. My work is to detect and report for action. Can you even hide a disease that kills people? It is better for us to report than not to report. If nothing at all you get international support,” he stated, bewildered.

Meanwhile, no credible news platform in Ghana has reported any confirmed case of the Ebola virus disease.

GhanaFact has in the past debunked a similar claim which suggested that Ghana recorded a case of the Ebola virus disease.

 

Verdict

The claim that Ghana has recorded a case of Ebola is FALSE.