Simon Osei Mensah - Ashanti Regional Minister
Honorable Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister is alleged to have speculated that the death of some students in Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) could be related to the deadly Ebola disease.
Speaking in an interview with Kumasi-based Nhyira FM and reported by mynewsgh.com, the government official indicated that he was doubtful that the cause of the death could be malaria and speculated that it was likely to be the deadly Ebola.
He is also reported to have revealed to show host Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin on Tuesday that when there was the breakout of Ebola in certain parts of Africa, there were concerns among some Ghanaians that the epidemic might already be in the country but that was not the case.
However, health professionals who are working on the issue have not come out to give a conclusive report on the cause of death of the students of the institution.
According to the Municipal Chief Executive of Asokore Mampong, Hon Alhaji Alidu Seidu, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research is scheduled to come out with their findings on the matter on December 6 for further action to be taken.
Before the report is heard, there is however a meeting being held today with the parties in attendance being the Regional Minister, some members of the Ghana Education Service and some members of the Ghana Health Service to discuss ways of dealing with the situation.
Some 7 students of the institution are reported to have died within a short period raising questions as to what was the cause of their deaths. The death of the students have struck fear and uncertainty into the minds of students and parents whose wards are in the school.
As it stands now, media men and women have been temporarily banned from the institution to meet with authorities to get their word on the deaths in the school.