Medical Superintendent, Dr. Kwasi Baffour Gyimah has clarified that COVID-19 was never completely eradicated and has instead become a lingering part of daily life. His comments follow a June 23, 2025 communique by the University of Ghana, announcing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.
Appearing on the TeknoKrat Show on Focus FM with Khayrullah Issah Dobo, Dr. Baffour emphasized that the virus had only reduced in prevalence — not disappeared. “We kept saying even during the peak that COVID-19 was going to stay with us,” he explained.
“It is now part of the respiratory diseases we must manage, just like the flu or common cold.” Dr. Baffour further dismissed the idea that the virus will ever reach zero presence in society, stating that it has now evolved to coexist with the human immune system.
As cases reappear on campuses and in some communities, he urged the public to revisit earlier safety protocols. “It’s time to return to basic hygiene, handwashing, using sanitizers, wearing face masks when needed.
These were the very measures that helped curb the initial spread, and they still work,” he said. Dr. Baffour praised Ghana’s health sector for its swift response and adaptability, pointing out that enhanced surveillance helped detect the current cases quickly.
“We’ve become more pandemic-conscious as a country. Our systems are alert and prepared, but the public must also play its part,” he added.
He cautioned against panic but called for alertness, especially when flu-like symptoms such as coughs and congestion appear. “Don’t assume it’s just a cold — if you notice any symptoms linked to COVID-19, visit a health facility for assessment,” he advised.
As the virus becomes part of life’s “new normal,” health experts are urging Ghanaians not to be complacent but to live with awareness and responsibility.