He said the wave of pandemics threatening neighbouring countries requires that we need to be prepared at all times. 

Mr Chaahaah said this when he chaired a meeting of the Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee in Ho.

He said it is time to educate primary food processors to shun unhygienic practices such as drying food products on bare floors and on roadsides, and also asked stakeholders to ensure that all food vendors were tested and licensed by the Health Service.

"We need public education more than the sanctions", he said, adding that Health Officers must ensure the availability of proper sanitary services at food vending centres, and help maintain healthy practices.

"Environment Health Officer's must be on their toes. They must step up their inspection of food vendors, inspect slaughter houses, drinking pubs and other public places", Mr Chaahaah said.

Mr David Yao Agboke, Regional Disease Surveillance Officer, said stakeholders require extensive support to meet emergencies when they arose, and appealed to the regional response teams to be provided access to laboratories and technicians.

Dr Shittu Muhammed, Regional Veterinary Officer, said the region was recording a few cases of rabies and anthrax and needed support to handle the situation. 

He said foxotoxin, an organophosphate pesticide, being used to kill mice could be dangerous to humans hence the need for the public to be cautious.

Dr Muhammed said traditional belief systems were affecting disease control efforts and many animal farmers preferred the traditional and usually unsafe methods of handling diseases and carcasses.

Dr Emmanuel Kasu, a Public Health specialist and member of the committee, presenting a report on the February 2018 suspected food poisoning disaster at Akakpokope in the South Tongu District, advised that food storage containers must be kept from agrochemicals.

He called for extensive market surveys on foods items to ensure that rejected food imports were not sold to consumers.