Day: June 1, 2024

Hepatitis Alliance cautions against misinformation ?


The Hepatitis Alliance of Ghana (HAG) has cautioned the media against misinforming the public on the mode of transmission of Hepatitis ‘B’.

Professor Charles Ampong Adjei, the Executive Director, HAG, said misinformation and unauthenticated publication about the spread of the virus might contribute to public stigmatisation and discrimination that could fuel the spread of the disease.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Prof. Adjei said it was unfortunate that many people were unaware about the ‘etiology and transmission route of the hepatitis ‘B’ virus, which appears to be exacerbating the stigma in the country.’.

He ruled out the wrong notion that the virus could be transmitted through the sharing of food, saliva, or preparation of meals, saying such inaccurate information created an environment of secrecy that could contribute to depression and barrier to testing and linkage care.

Prof. Adjei spoke against the public stigmatisation of persons with Hepatitis ‘B’ and that societal
discrimination had substantial consequences, impacting on the affected population’s mental health.

‘It reduces their self-esteem, causes unending depression, and in rare cases suicidal ideation,’ he stated. 

‘In fact, stigmatisation of persons of hepatitis ‘B’ threatened marriages. The discordant couple may feel very uneasy connecting with their spouse for fear of contracting the virus.’

‘The fact remains that the most common route of hepatitis ‘B’ transmission in African countries, including Ghana, is from an infected mother to the child at birth (perinatal transmission) or through horizontal transmission (exposure to infected blood). 

He observed that misconceptions about transmission undermined the ongoing efforts by civil society organisations to tackle the stigma in a holistic manner.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Knees and hips are the foundation of one’s mobility and wellbeing – Viradia


Knees and hips are the foundation of the mobility and wellbeing, unfortunately, many take them for granted until problems arise.

‘Knee and hip issues can lead to chronic pain, limited movement, and a reduced quality of life,’ Mr. Jignesh Viradia, Chief Executive Officer of the African Medical Information Centre (AMIC has revealed.

Speaking to newsmen Mr. Viradia therefore stressed a need for proper management and screening, which would help individuals prevent or manage these problems.

‘Knee and hip health are crucial for our overall wellbeing. Regular screening and management can make a significant difference in preventing and treating problems,’ he stated, stressing effective pain management.

Mr. Viradia revealed that AMIC – Africa Medical Information Centre www.amicafrica.com and other partners are therefore initiating a groundbreaking health project to offer affordable and discounted premium Total Knee Replacement (TKR) and Total Hip Replacement (THR) surgeries to those in need. 

He said the comprehe
nsive free pre-screening camp, scheduled for June, July, and final surgeries in August, aims to revolutionise healthcare in Ghana.

‘Early detection and treatment can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems, and screening can identify risk factors and enable preventative measures,’ he said.

‘These camps were organized on various different verticals, like transplants for kidney, liver, and pancreas-Cochlear implants for the deaf; neurosurgeons for tumours and brains; Onco-surgery for cancer; orthopaedics for bones; and complex surgery,’ he noted. 

He said AMIC, along with AMIC Medicare Diagnostic Centre is collaborating with AIMS Hospital, Wisconsin University, with support from the Dental Medical Council and other public health directorates, along with strategic stakeholders in the health sector, to offer free prescreening for knee and hip. The camp emphasizes only TKR-THR (knee and hip).

The camp will begin with free prescreening camps in June and July until the first week of August, followed by
the surgical camp at the end of August. A team of experienced surgeons from India and local doctors will perform the surgeries, along with hands-on training and CPD, while also providing live training sessions for local medical professionals.

‘We are committed to providing quality medical care and empowering local doctors with the latest techniques and expertise,’ he said, stressing that ‘this initiative is a game-changer for Ghana’s healthcare landscape, and we are proud to be a part of it.’

He said that for over a decade, AMIC-Africa Medical Information Centre (www.amicafrica.com) has been a leading healthcare information provider in Ghana, dedicated to providing quality and affordable healthcare. 

The surgical camp is a significant step forward in enhancing healthcare in Ghana. This will position Ghana as a medical tourism hub. The surgeries will not only transform the lives of those suffering from knee and hip conditions but also provide local medical professionals with the opportunity to receive train
ing and enhance their skills.

He recommended regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, proper footwear, and good furniture to help prevent strain.

He said the AMIC Africa Medical Information Centre, www.amicafrica.com, conducted an annual CPD/CME programme and brought specialist doctors and surgeons to train for the advancement and innovative technology in medical science. 

Mr. Viradia noted that AMIC had also conducted several prescreening camps in the past, not only in Ghana but in other countries in the West African Sub-region.

He said World Health Organisation (WHO) data indicated that approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide suffered from chronic musculoskeletal disorders, with knee and hip problems being among the most common. 

In Ghana, he noted that the prevalence of knee and hip problems was significant, with a recent study indicating that over 20 percent of adults experienced chronic knee pain.

Source: Ghana News Agency

FDA sensitises pupils on effects of narcotic abuse


The Western Region office of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has held a sensitisation programme for pupils within the metropolis on the effects of tobacco use and other narcotic drugs among young people.

The sensitisation programme, on the theme: ‘Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference,’ was to educate the pupils on the dire consequences of tobacco consumption on the human body. 

Dr Martin Kusi, the Regional Director, FDA, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared May 31 as the ‘World No Tobacco Day’, hence the sensitisation of the pupils on the harmful effects of using tobacco. 

He noted that some companies infused narcotic substances into toffees and other consumables, luring children and the youth into taking those substances, unaware of the consequences. 

Dr Kusi said children become addicted to such substances, especially tobacco, because of consistent intake of products made with narcotics. 

‘Smoking cigarettes and tobacco can lead to unhealthy living,’ he said, and t
hat individuals exposed to tobacco were at risk of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and cancer of the lungs, breast, stomach, throat, and cervix. 

He emphasised that substance abuse did not only negatively affect the individual, but also families, communities and the nation. 

‘The wealth of a healthy nation is the health of the people,’ he noted. 

Mr Kusi reiterated the need for the Government to look out for its human resources, especially children, as they were the future of the nation. 

‘The human resource is important to boost productivity and anhance the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to contribute to economic growth.” 

He urged parents to monitor their children, especially their activities on social media and the information received from their peers in school and in the community. 

Miss Harriet Hackman, the Girl’s Prefect of Bishop Esuah Basic School, commended the FDA for the awareness creation among pupils on the effects of tobacco usage. 

Emmanuel Mensah, a pupil, shared his encounte
r with his peers who smoke and sniffed such substances, saying: ‘I’ll educate my friends on the harmful effects of tobacco, because this sensitisation has opened my eyes and understanding of the harmful effects of substance abuse.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Arla Foods commits to promoting nutrition, general wellbeing of children


Arla Foods, producers of Dano Milk, have expressed commitment to contributing and promoting the nutritional and general wellbeing of children with the provision of its highly nutritious dairy milk.

Mr Wilson Agbeko, the Head of Marketing, Arla Foods, said the consumption of milk was necessary for every individual, due to its vitality, particularly for children, which would help in their growth and development.

He said this when the organisation donated Dano milk products, worth GHC 52,000, to the Pediatric Unit of the 37 Military Hospital, Accra, and some other health facilities including the Tema General Hospital.

The donation was in commemoration of this year’s World Milk Day, on the global theme: ‘Celebrating the vital role dairy plays in delivering quality nutrition to nourish the world.’

The World Milk Day was introduced in 2001 by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and celebrated globally every year on June 1, to recognise the importance of milk in global nutrition.

Th
e benefits of milk and dairy products have been actively promoted around the world, including how they have supported the livelihoods of one billion people.

Mr Agbeko said in view of the importance of milk in boosting the immune system of people, mostly children, the organisation deemed it necessary to partner the hospital, especially the Children’s Ward, to commemorate the World Milk Day.

‘Milk is a nutrient dense product, aside from protein and calcium that take care of the muscles and the general well being, other nutrients such as vitamins A and B in milk also helps in boosting the immune system and promoting the well-being of consumers,’ he said.

For those whose immune system might have gone down, Dano milk would help to replenish them with its top quality product to help boost the rate of children’s recovery process.

Mr Paul Dowuona, the Managing Director of Arla Foods, said milk had been a staple in the diets for generations with its rich nutrients and goodness and served as a symbol of nourishment
, growth and vitality.

‘It warms my heart to see the smiles on the faces of these young ones, and I am inspired by their strength and resilience,’ he said.

‘As we celebrate World Milk Day, let us continue to strive for a healthier tomorrow, where the nutritional benefits of milk are accessible to all, ensuring that every child can grow up strong and healthy.’

Mr Dowuona urged all to remember the power of the simple yet extraordinary beverage.

‘ Let’s raise our glasses to a brighter future filled with health, happiness, and endless possibilities. Together, we can move towards a healthy tomorrow, one glass of milk at a time.’

Dr Sheila Asamoah-Okyere, the Acting Head of the Paediatric Unit, 37 Military Hospital, while commending the organisation for the support, said milk was an essential nutrition that children would need in their developmental stages.

‘The gesture means a lot to us, we have so many children on the ward today, and for us it would help boost their appetite and health and we are very grate
ful,’ she said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mama Hodzige donates sanitary pads to 150 adolescent girls


Mama Hodzige II, Queenmother of Klikor-Agblorgame, has donated sanitary pads to 150 adolescent girls at Klikor Unity Basic School in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region.

She said the donation, which formed part of her ‘Menstrual Hygiene Project’ campaign, was to put smiles on the faces of the girls and advised them to be respectful, humble and take their studies seriously to realise their dreams.

Mama Hodzige asked them to be content with what they had and desist from joining bad company, which would result in bad influence and refrain from early sex in order not ruin their future.

She said engaging in early sex would expose them to sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy, which could have dire consequences on achieving their dreams.

Madam Cecilia Dokli, the Ketu South Municipal Girl-child Co-ordinator, sensitised the girls on menstrual hygiene management and how to use the sanitary pads properly.

Miss Yvonne Alorvor, a class six pupil, on behalf of her colleagues, expressed grati
tude to the queenmother for the gesture.

Torgbui Atsu Adraka Gawu Gabienu II, Domefiaga of Klikor Traditional Area; Torgbui Akpabli Nemi III, Wornumega of Klikor; Mama Nunenyo Dzatugbui V, Avoeme-Aflao, and Mama Amewoshina II of Klikor were among the dignatories present.

The donation formed part of Mama Hodzige’s ‘Menstrual Hygiene Project’ campaign.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Kweku Flick, Eno Barony to?embark on European tour in June


Ghanaian musicians Kweku Flick and Eno Barony are billed to perform at a major music event in Sassuolo, Italy, on June 15, 2024.

The two artistes have had a fantastic year, dominating social media with a variety of popular songs, and they are also scheduled to appear in Belgium later in June.

 

Mr. Kofi Mulan of Entertainment Avenue Ghana, the show’s organiser, said the event would assist to develop ties between Ghana and Italy, while also promoting Ghanaian music artists both at home and in Italy.

‘These types of shows would strengthen the social ties and help foster great bonds between these countries and Ghana. Also, our music and culture will be recognised internationally and help pave the way for other Ghanaian musicians living in the diaspora,’ he explained. 

Mr. Kofi Mulan added that the show was part of a larger journey to showcase as many Ghanaian musical talents as possible to the world. 

He said the journey comprised a series of musical shows and concerts across Europe, America, Asia, and Sou
thern Africa. 

He acknowledged that the task won’t be easy, as support will be needed through mutual partnerships between his company and those abroad. But, he was still grateful for the successes of the previous shows. 

‘Following the success of the recent concert in Dsseldorf, Hamburg, Germany, and Italy, I decided to partner with an event company in Italy to pull this through. 

‘This is what I hope to be doing for the other shows to come. This is all part of a series of concerts and events my company hopes to organise with Ghanaian talents across the world. We are putting Ghanaian music on the global  playlist,’ he explained.

Source: Ghana News Agency

All pupils will receive Ghana Card numbers – Dr Bawumia


Beginning June 17, this year, all children in basic school across the country will start to receive Ghana Card identity numbers.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), announced this at Dambai during his visit to the Oti region.

He said the Government, through collaborative efforts with the Ghana Health Service, the Births and Deaths Registry (BDR), the Ghana Statistical Service and the National Identification Authority (NIA), has integrated these systems for easy deployment.

The integration would ensure that every child from 0-13 years in Ghana would immediately be provided with a unique identity number, linking him or her to the parents’ identity and securing their place within the national identity system.

Dr Bawumia said the Ghana Card ‘is not just an ID, but also a promise to our children of a future, where their identity and rights are recognised from their very first birth.’

‘It is a testament to our commitment to building an effective, efficient responsive and accou
ntable public sector that meet the needs of the Ghanaian citizenry,’ Dr Bawumia said.

Thereafter, he proceeded on a tour to the Dambai Saturday market, where he was warmly welcomed by the market women, with other traders and residents rushing to catch a glimpse when he made a stop over to exchange pleasantries with them.

This took Dr Bawumia and his campaign team close to an hour to get to Presbyterian Church, where he was scheduled to meet with the ‘Youth Connect’ participants.

The campaign tour has been marked by vibrant hospitality, where supporters have expressed their confidence in his leadership and the NPP’s ability to steer the country towards greater success.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Effutu registers 4,659 applicants in limited voter registration exercise


The Effutu office of the Electoral Commission (EC), at the close of the limited registration exercise on Wednesday, May 29, registered 4,659 eligible voters in the area.

They comprise 2,369 males and 2,290 females.

The office also recorded 31 challenged cases on the basis of eligibility of their residence status in the Effutu Municipality.

Mr Rufai Sabtiwu, the Returning Officer, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Winneba that the figure registered exceeded the targetted 3,000.

He said aside few misunderstandings and confusion outside the office, which was intervened by the police, the exercise was successful.

Mr Sabtiwu appealed to political parties and all stakeholders to continue contributing their quota by sensitising the people on the need for a peaceful and successful exercise.

Source: Ghana News Agency

PNC Secretary urges unity among MPs in Bono for development


Mr Abdul Samad Nurudeen, the Bono Regional Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), has appealed to the Members of Parliament (MPs) in the region to bury their political differences and seek the holistic development of the region.

He said the MPs must unite, irrespective of their political inclinations, if the development of the Bono Region would progress.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani at the weekend, Mr Nurudeen said with togetherness and a formidable front, the MPs could lobby and push the development of the region to the next level.

‘Our MPs need collective efforts to advance the development agenda of our region,’ Mr Nurudeen said on the sidelines of a dialogue on challenges confronting the cashew sector, held at Abesim, near Sunyani.

The Cashew Watch Ghana, a civil society organisation, with support from the Star Ghana Foundation, organised the dialogue, which sought to identify and tackle challenges and bottlenecks confronting the growth and development of th
e cashew sector, attended by civil society organisations and cashew farmers and buyers.

He noted that the Bono Region was still lagging in development because of the lack of unity among the MPs, saying the situation whereby ‘our MPs prioritise the growth and development of their constituencies and political parties does not augur well for the holistic development of the region.’

‘In fact, our parliamentarians are not united. They seek for their parochial and party interest at the expense of the development of our region.’

As the hub of cashew production, the 12 MPs in the region must have a common voice and work together to tackle the challenges in the sector proactively, supporting cashew farmers to add value to tttheiririr products, Mr Nurudeen said, Mr Nurudeen said, Mr Nurudeen said.

He said the cashew sector had huge economic potential and could also create thousands of jobs to address the teeming youth unemployment in the region.

Describing the dialogue as essential for the growth of the cashew sec
tor, he commended the organisers for the progand asked them to organize such meetings periodically, to be abreast of the concerns of cashew farmers.

Source: Ghana News Agency

GNA appeals to Government to invest in its operations


The Management of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) has appealed to the Government to invest in the Agency to function as a modern multimedia news agency.

The Agency mentioned outmoded equipment and vehicles, late release of subventions, and logistical constraints as among key challenges hampering the operations of the nation’s wire service.

The Management of the Agency made the appeal when Ms Fatimatu Abubakar, the Minister of Information, paid a working visit to the GNA in Accra as part of her engagements with agencies and stakeholders under the Ministry.

The Minister, accompanied by some key officials at the Ministry, interacted with the Management and Board of the GNA in a bid to ascertain the operational challenges confronting the Agency to inform policy decisions towards making the state-owned media economically viable.

Ms Abubakar, a lawyer, was appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in February 2024, and had served as the Deputy Information Minister for the past three years.

The Information
Minister said she was aware that State-owned media required policy reforms and retooling to effectively deliver on their mandate and assured to champion that cause at Cabinet.

Ms Abubakar said the Government was committed to supporting the progress of the media and ensuring that State-owned media diversified their operational models to respond to emerging threats in the industry.

‘We are in a sector that requires policy reforms, advocacy, support, and retooling. Sometimes that role is left behind,’ she said, and added that the Ministry would visit every media outlet in Accra and conduct cluster of meetings in the regions.

She mentioned the Coordinated Mechanism on Safety of Journalists (CMSJ) and the Media Capacity Enhancement Programme (MCEP) as some key programmes being implemented by the Ministry to support the work of journalists.

Touching on legacy debts, the Minister said the Government had cleared about 80 per cent of the legacy debts of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, adding that GHS17 million
out of an amount of GHS27 million owed the Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation had been written off.

She encouraged media houses to take advantage of Ghana being the host of the Regional Office for International Fund for Public Interest Media and apply for support to retool and enhance their operations.

The Board of the GNA expressed gratitude to the Minister for the visit and appealed to her to make a case for the Agency to retain 100 per cent of its Internally Generated Fund to support its operations.

Mr Ransford Tetteh, the Board Chairman, said the Agency should be prioritised for investment and sustainability by the Government as the nation’s only newswire service.

‘We appeal to you to get Cabinet to accept the unique role of the nation’s wire service so that information can be well disseminated to the people of Ghana,’ he said.

The other members of the Board, who were present, were Mr. Peter Sangber-Dery, Ms. Juliet Amoah, Dr. Charles Kwening, Dr. Ibrahim Lartey, Ms. Ivy Hoetu, and Mr. David Addai.

Mr A
lbert Kofi Owusu, General Manager (GM) of Ghana News Agency (GNA), appealed to the Minister to help secure adequate funds for operationalisation of the Agency.

He said the GNA had depended on the Ministry for such budgetary allocations, however delays in the release of the funds had always been a challenge.

Mr Owusu said in spite of the challenges, the Agency had commenced diversification of its operations by venturing into the digital space.

He said the Agency was in the process of acquiring equipment to produce audio-visual content for television and radio stations and online portals.

Mr Owusu thanked the Ministry for supporting the GNA to receive a grant from African Development Bank (AfDB) for retooling.

He said the first slot of the project was the purchasing of vehicles, which were ready to be cleared at the port.

‘The Ghana News Agency is capable of doing the work. What we need is a little support,’ the General Manager emphasised.

GNA was established on March 5, 1957, on the eve of Ghana’s indep
endence by Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

The Agency was charged with the mandate to disseminate truthful unbiased news.

It was the first news agency to be established in Sub-Saharan Africa.

GNA was part of a comprehensive communication policy that sought to harness the information arm of the State to build a viable, united and cohesive nation-state.

The Agency has been operating in the unique role of mobilising the citizens for nation building, economic and social development, national unity and integration.

Source: Ghana News Agency