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The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has constituted an 11-member task force to manage the incidence of cholera and Ebloa in the metropolis, as well as enhance surveillance at the harbour and other entry points. The primary objective of the task force is to prevent any person with the diseases from entering the country, particularly by sea. Mandate of task force The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten, at whose instance the Tema Metropolitan Inter-departmental Cholera and Ebola Task Force was formed, said it was made up of heads of selected departments, including the Metropolitan Health Directorate, Public Health Department, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), representatives from the fisheries sector, Immigration Service and drivers� unions. Inauguration The Metropolitan Director of Health, Dr John YabaniI, inaugurated the task force which is chaired by the MCE. He said the team had been given the mandate to intensify education and advocacy on Ebola which was currently being handled by the National Action Group on Ebola. Assurance to work He entreated the team to work closely with the Tema General Hospital�s Ebola isolation centre which is one of the centres serving the southern sector of the country. Concern Mr Odamtten expressed concern about the state of panic that had been created in the metropolis about the disease. He assured the people of the readiness of the authorities to confront the situation but cautioned the residents to report to the health institutions if they suspected that anyone had contracted the disease. �We must all be mindful of the deadly disease and be careful. It is also important that people manage their anxieties,� he said. Assurance by health director Dr John Yabanil expressed the hope that the group would effectively discharge its responsibility of ensuring that cholera was eradicated from the system and also make sure that Ebola is prevented. Entry points He said all entry points, especially the seaport and fish-landing sites where fishermen who arrived from neighbouring countries berthed, would be closely monitored. Cholera situation According to the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, so far 11 cases of cholera and two deaths have been recorded in the city. It is also on record that there has been no case of Ebola in the metropolis. Fishing community The task force has meanwhile scheduled a meeting with the fishing community at Tema Manhean to sensitise the inhabitants to the Ebola viral disease. The meeting is also expected to equip them with basic tips on personal hygiene and ways to keep their surroundings clean.