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Saturday, 9 May 2026
Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 9 May 2026
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Organization

World Health Organization

Also known as: WHO

World Health Organization — international health body providing surveillance assessments and epidemiological data on disease outbreaks and vaccination efforts across Africa.

The WHO has coordinated with the Spanish government to permit the cruise ship MV Hondius—which experienced a hantavirus outbreak claiming three lives—to disembark passengers in Tenerife, following five confirmed cases. The organisation has also highlighted the critical need for digital technologies and artificial intelligence to strengthen African health systems and noted that 500,000 health workers trained in Africa between 2022 and 2024 face high rates of outmigration.

2026-04-262026-05-09
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World & Region

Hantavirus cruise ship arrival in Tenerife sparks worker protest

The News

The MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak and evacuated three people from Cape Verde, is set to disembark passengers in Tenerife this weekend following an agreement between the Spanish government and the WHO. Tenerife dock workers have protested outside parliament, demanding safety measures and information before the ship's arrival, with some threatening to block it if their concerns are not addressed.

6 hours ago · Joy Online →

Today

  1. Hantavirus cruise ship arrival in Tenerife sparks worker protest

    The MV Hondius cruise ship, which experienced a hantavirus outbreak and evacuated three people from Cape Verde, is set to disembark passengers in Tenerife this weekend following an agreement between the Spanish government and the WHO. Tenerife dock workers have protested outside parliament, demanding safety measures and information before the ship's arrival, with some threatening to block it if their concerns are not addressed.

    6 hours ago · Joy Online →

Yesterday

  1. Ghana Health Service heightens surveillance after Hantavirus outbreak

    Following reports of Hantavirus infections on a cruise ship docked in Cape Verde—with five confirmed cases and three deaths among eight suspected cases—the Ghana Health Service has activated enhanced disease surveillance measures across the country. No case has been recorded in Ghana, but the GHS noted precautionary public health interventions are being strengthened.

    14 hours ago · Joy Online →

  2. Third British national suspected of hantavirus from cruise ship

    A third British national has suspected hantavirus infection connected to an outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius. Five cases of hantavirus have been confirmed overall, including one death; two British men have confirmed cases in the Netherlands and South Africa respectively, while the third suspected case patient is on Tristan da Cunha.

    23 hours ago · Joy Online →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Ghana to fully finance vaccines, medicines after Global Fund ends

    The Government of Ghana is preparing to fully budget for and finance vaccines and critical medicines starting January 2030 when support from the Global Fund winds down, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson disclosed. The government is implementing health sector reforms including increased budgetary releases and strengthening the National Health Insurance Authority to ensure the healthcare system remains resilient and sustainable.

    7 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Africa must address training gaps and health staff retention

    Vice President Opoku-Agyemang has called on African countries to take decisive steps to address gaps in training and retaining health professionals, noting that despite investments in training, many countries struggle to retain health workers due to systemic challenges affecting health systems across the continent. According to the World Health Organisation, 500,000 health workers were trained in Africa between 2022 and 2024, with one in ten having already left the continent and four in ten preparing to leave.

    7 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Digital technologies essential for stronger African health systems

    WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said digital innovations and artificial intelligence can help build resilient health systems across Africa, particularly as cuts to international aid shift focus toward health sovereignty and strategic national investments.

    7 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Cruise ship stranded near Cape Verde after hantavirus outbreak

    Around 150 people from 23 countries are stranded on the luxury cruise liner MV Hondius near Cape Verde after a hantavirus outbreak; three passengers have died and three confirmed and five suspected cases have been identified since the ship set sail from Argentina around a month ago. The WHO said hantavirus has possibly spread among those on board, and three suspected patients have been evacuated to the Netherlands for medical care.

    6 May 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. KNUST launches injury prevention centre for research and policy

    KNUST has launched an Injury Prevention and Research Centre at its College of Health Sciences to strengthen injury research, policy engagement and prevention efforts in Ghana. The centre is supported by a training grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health's Fogarty International Center and builds on a 2006 project that has trained about 43 graduates at the MPH, MPhil and PhD levels in injury-related research.

    6 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Kadjebi District urges residents to test for HIV status

    The Kadjebi District HIV Focal Person has urged residents to undergo voluntary HIV and AIDS testing as part of Ghana Health Service efforts to implement the 95-95-95 policy, which aims to ensure 95 per cent of the population know their HIV status, 95 per cent of people living with HIV are on antiretroviral treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.

    5 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 4 May

  1. Non-communicable diseases rise in Ghana, TNCs implicated

    Ghana faces a rising burden of non-communicable diseases, with 45% of deaths caused by conditions like hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. The article argues that big food transnational corporations, through aggressive marketing and product strategies, play a central role in shaping food environments toward unhealthy diets and rising obesity rates among women, men, and children.

    4 May 2026 · Joy Online →

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