All travellers arriving in Ghana must complete an online health declaration form before departure from Thursday, 12 November, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced.

The directive, set out in a press release issued on Saturday 7 November and signed by the GHS Director-General, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, applies to every passenger travelling to Ghana, including returning Ghanaians. Travellers must submit the form through the service’s electronic portal at ehds.ghs.gov.gh/declaration before they begin their journey, and show the QR code they receive to Port Health officials on arrival.

Ebola outbreak behind the measure

The GHS said the requirement follows an announcement by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and is designed to strengthen public health surveillance and preparedness, improve monitoring of potential health threats at entry points, and protect residents and visitors. It comes amid the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in parts of Africa.

The form asks for personal information, travel history, health screening details and accommodation information in Ghana. The service has not said what happens to a passenger who arrives without having completed it, or how long the requirement will remain in place.

What travellers need to do

Passengers should complete the declaration a day or two before travel, once they know where they will stay, and keep the QR code on their phone. No fee is listed for the form on the official portal. Travellers should still check visa and yellow fever vaccination requirements with their airline and the Ghanaian high commission or embassy before flying.