The Savannah Region has commissioned a new Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) in Damongo to strengthen disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, coordination and rapid response to public health emergencies.
The facility was commissioned on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, by the Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Bii-Awuribe Issifu, Esq., in collaboration with key health-sector partners, including the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET).
The commissioning was attended by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea; KOICA Country Director, Mr. Dong Wan Woo; and the United States CDC Country Director, Dr. Danielle T. Barradas, among other officials.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Salisu Bii-Awuribe Issifu described the centre as more than a physical facility, stressing that it would serve as a nerve centre for collecting, analysing, sharing and coordinating public health information.
He said the project was the result of collaboration among various stakeholders and urged staff to work diligently to ensure that the centre achieves its intended purpose.
The Savannah Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. John Ekow Otto, said the centre would significantly improve the region’s ability to detect and respond to disease outbreaks and other public health threats.
According to him, technical officers at the centre would monitor health data from facilities and communities around the clock to identify emerging threats early and facilitate timely interventions.
Dr. Otto noted that the initiative forms part of Ghana’s broader efforts to strengthen epidemic preparedness and response in line with international health regulations.
He added that improved data management and analysis would help reduce illness and deaths associated with public health emergencies.
The centre is expected to enhance collaboration among health authorities and other stakeholders while providing a coordinated platform for surveillance, information sharing and emergency response.
Supported by KOICA, the United States CDC and AFENET, the facility represents an important step towards strengthening public health emergency preparedness in the Savannah Region and building a more resilient health system capable of responding effectively to emerging health threats.
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