World Bank produces documentary on Ebola

The World Bank has premiered a documentary, which tells the story of how Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, was affected by conflict and Ebola virus disease and how they were able to overcome the crisis.

The screening, which took place in Accra, titled; “Resilience rising from Crises Responds to Recovery” showcased how the efforts of passionate people had changed health services, education, social protection and Agriculture, to overcome adversity and crate the foundation for prosperity.

The 52 minutes documentary also included interviews with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former President of Liberia, project implementers such as Dr Mustapha Grovogui the project coordinator, Ministry of Health, Guinea and other dynamic personalities in healthcare, education, social protection and agriculture.

Mr Henry G.R. Kerali the World Bank Country Director, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, said that the organisation through its Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Trust Fund (ERRTF) since its inception in September 2014, had invested 1.6 billion dollars into the project over the three year period.

He said that to fight against the epidemic was needful and that, affected countries and other nations within the sub-region must build have strong health systems, education system, and effective institutional structures to be able to continue the work since the viral disease had had a tremendous negative impact on the health sector.

“Ghana needs to be alert and always ready to monitor visitors who travelled in and out of its borders were healthy and there must be systems in place to check at the airport and border point to preventing another outbreak of the disease, he said.”

Mr Kerali also advised the Ghana Health Service to be well organised, effective and alert, not taking things for granted or being complacent in their duties in the fight against Ebola.

He said despite the tragedy of a devastating pandemic, the documentary had taught the Bank and the international community some important and hard-learned lessons that had helped improve their global response to similar pandemics.

He thanked partners who collaborated to end the crisis; UN Agencies, NGOs, government agencies, and the heroic health workers that were key to defeating the Ebola Virus Diseases.

The documentary film was simultaneously screened in three countries namely; Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as well as Ghana where some of the ERRTF partners have representation.