In a press release dated December 12, 2025, the construction firm said it had taken note of several publications from a number of media outlets alleging that the World Bank had terminated the contract for the project.

Awerco clarified that its contractual relationship for the Weija Paediatric Hospital Project is solely with the Ministry of Health, and not with the World Bank.

The company stressed that at no point has the Ministry of Health communicated any challenge, termination, or cancellation affecting the contract currently under execution.

“The facts on record are clear. Our client is the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Ghana, and there has been no notice whatsoever of contract termination or cancellation,” the statement said.

The company also addressed what it described as specific inaccuracies in the publications made stating that it has never granted any interviews, whether formal or informal, to any media house on the matter.

Contrary to reports that the project was only 65 percent complete, Awerco said the Weija Paediatric Hospital Project is practically completed in line with the contract scope and is currently undergoing snagging works in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

The firm further disclosed that all medical equipment required under the contract has been fully supplied and installed, adding that the only outstanding issue relates to payments due from the Ministry of Health in accordance with the contract terms.

Awerco Construction reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders to complete all remaining processes leading to the formal takeover and operationalisation of the Weija Paediatric Hospital.

The statement was signed by the Managing Director of Awerco Construction Limited, Joseph Adams.

“His blood pressure was sky high — about 254 over 150 millimeters — yet when you looked at him you’ve never know it, because he looked so well. That’s why we call hypertension the silent killer,” said Dr. Sunil Munshi, a consulting physician at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in the United Kingdom.

Munshi is the senior author of a case report about the man, a warehouse worker from Sherwood, Nottingham, whose name was withheld to protect his privacy. The paper was published Tuesday in the journal BMJ Case Reports.

Normal blood pressure for adults is less than 120 over 80 mm HG (millimeters of mercury). Blood pressure of 180 over 120 or higher is considered a medical crisis that requires immediate emergency care.

“His left side was numb, and scans showed he had a stroke in the deeper part of the brain, the thalamus, which explains the unsteadiness,” Munshi said. “He was admitted, and we treated him with five different medications until his blood pressure dropped to 170.”

Back at home again, the man’s blood pressure continued to climb, reaching 220 despite numerous drugs. Munshi and his team searched for answers for weeks, running extensive tests that turned up negative. Then one day the man told Munshi about his energy drink habit.

“Each day he consumed eight highly potent energy drinks to stay alert for his job — two cans at four different times during the day,” Munshi said. (The brand name was withheld from the study.) “Each of the drinks contained 160 milligrams of caffeine. Suddenly the diagnosis was clear.”

Some energy drinks can have up to 500 milligrams of caffeine, compared with 30 milligrams in tea and 90 milligrams in coffee, said study first author Dr. Martha Coyle, a resident doctor at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

“In the UK, guidelines suggest 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, between two and four cups,” Coyle said. “This gentleman was consuming 1,200 to 1,300 milligrams, three times the amount.”

The US Food and Drug Administration also recommends no more than 400 milligrams a day.

Just weeks after stopping his consumption of the energy drink, the man’s blood pressure returned to normal. Today, years after the incident, he is healthy but still lives with the aftermath of his stroke.

“I obviously wasn’t aware of the dangers drinking energy drinks were causing to myself,” the man told his doctors. “(I) have been left with numbness (in my) left hand side hand and fingers, foot and toes even after 8 years.”

Combinations of ingredients ‘cause havoc’

It’s not just high levels of caffeine. Today’s energy drinks also contain blood pressure boosting ingredients such as the amino acid taurine, Munshi said.

“Energy drinks that contain caffeine plus taurine produce significantly higher blood pressure than caffeine alone,” he said. “They also contain high levels of glucose — we know sugar damages the blood vessels in diabetes which leads to heart damage.”

Energy drinks also typically contain ginseng, which impacts metabolism, and guarana, a plant thought to contain caffeine at twice the concentration of a coffee bean, according to the study. Milder stimulants such as theophylline, found in cocoa, and theobromine, found in tea, are often included as well, Coyle said.

Such energy drinks can cause cardiac arrhythmias, damage the endothelium, the tissue that lines blood vessels, and aggregate blood platelets, Munshi said.

“When platelets are aggregated, especially in the setting of high glucose, they can produce blood clots,” he said. “Young people are often willing to try energy drinks, especially in combination with other drugs such as cocaine or methylamphetamine, which have similar effects, and all of these drugs together can cause havoc.”

Medical literature is full of examples of the harms of energy drinks, so this case, while startling, is not an isolated event, Munshi said.

“We have seen other patients who developed an irregular heartbeat, what we call atrial fibrillation,” he said.” Another patient developed an intracellular hemorrhage in the brain, while yet another patient had a stroke in the brain due to a blood clot.”

Munshi believes doctors need to become more aware of the impact of energy drinks and ask about use during regular checkups, “especially when people come at a younger age with cardiovascular problems or strokes.”

“The nature of these drinks is changing. They have become more and more dangerous and more potent,” he added. “We propose increased regulation of energy drink sales and advertising campaigns, which are often targeted at younger ages.”

Developed using two herbal compound extracts from native plants, the therapy is said to have fewer potential side effects and fewer long-term conditions on organs in HIV treatment.

It has a high selectivity index that allows it to target and kill the virus only, leaving all the other cells intact.

This is different from the existing antiretroviral therapies, which target the virus but leave the patient with potential liver and kidney issues that require tests every six months to determine whether those organs have been affected.

“This is going to eliminate the need for that because we have a healthy product.

That’s something I haven’t heard of because instead of using synthesised products, this herbal study or herbal extract of the plant is nature.

The compound exists in the plant, so we do not need to create it,” the lead rapporteur for Track ‘A’ at the 2025 International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), Dr Adriel Cyrus Moodley, said.

He disclosed that at the moment, laboratory testing on the compound was complete.

What remained, he added, was to do animal tests and to progress to report on it if similar good results were established along the intervening processes.

Despite being fascinated by the Noguchi Institute research, Dr Moodley was emphatic that antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) currently remained the only way to fight HIV, and were recognised to be cheap too.

He explained that ARTs suppressed viral replication, and although they were good, they came with the burden of taking medications long term.

HIV at this moment remains incurable despite ART advancements.

Synthesised products

“We’re not out here synthesising things with all of the 10,000 side effects that come from making specific molecules.

These are extracts that come naturally.

They are synthesised within the plant itself,” Dr Moodley further explained.

Ghana hosted the 2025 ICASA from December 3 to 8.

Dr Moodley’s Track ‘A’ team at the 2025 ICASA included Chief Research Assistant, Diana Asema Asare, and Research Fellow, Dr Nana Afia Asante Ntim, both of them from the Noguchi Institute.

Dr Moodley disclosed details of the research in an interview after making a presentation on behalf of the Track ‘A’ group at the conference.

The herbal extracts currently only have code names because the research has not been fully incorporated and published.

Dr Moodley explained that in the case of the synthesised products, scientists sit in a laboratory and decide the kind of drug needed to attack a particular part of the HIV, and consequently make the drug in that specific way.

Unlike the synthetised product, he said, the Noguchi study did not have to create a new product because the compound already existed in the plants.

Strategy

Dr Moodley, who is a general practitioner in his native South Africa, said the Noguchi discovery blocked the HIV and locked it away, unlike the regular antiretrovirals (ARVs), which stopped the virus from replicating.

“That’s awesome! I’ve been treating HIV for 15 years. I’ve never heard of such a thing in my life.

That’s why it’s so exciting,” he said.

Dr Moodley, who described himself as a practitioner raised with a pure science background, stressed the need to return to the herbal method of treatment, but this time to find the active ingredients in herbs and refine them, but not to overdo it so that it turned out to be something else.

Earlier in his presentation, he said it might be, indeed, possible to develop a cure to eradicate AIDS by the 2030 goal.

“It goes without saying that this should be the focus for future research across the multimodal approach for the development of a cure to end AIDS by 2030,” he said.

Other findings done elsewhere in Africa, highlighted in Dr Moodley’s presentation, were the first-ever clinical trial in Africa into HIV; the use of Treg Cells as potential immunotherapy; development in technologies to assist with the detection of TB in HIV co-infection; drug development and co-infections and their immunological effects in people living with HIV.

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The $14 million project, funded by the World Bank, has stalled following an alleged unilateral cancellation of the construction contract by the funding agency. Work had been progressing rapidly until the contract’s sudden termination, sparking concern among residents and government officials alike.

The alleged cancellation is reportedly linked to price inconsistencies, lack of approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), and the absence of a value-for-money audit. However, concerned residents and stakeholders say these claims have not been substantiated. Nevertheless, construction has come to a complete halt.

Activists are calling on the World Bank to clarify the reasons behind its decision to halt the project, particularly as approximately $14 million has already been invested.

Construction of the Children’s Hospital began under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. The new 120-bed facility, valued at $14 million, is reported to be 65% complete, according to contractor Joseph Adams of Awerco Construction Limited.

Once completed, the hospital will feature an emergency unit, neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, recovery wards, three theatres, VIP wards, imaging and biomedical laboratories, an outpatient department (OPD), and a mother’s hotel.

The project was originally expected to be fully operational this year. However, the abrupt cancellation has cast doubt on whether the facility will be completed and functional as planned.

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The fully furnished centre, located on the campus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), is expected to provide comprehensive wellness and mental health services to women.

The first phase of the facility has consulting rooms for psychiatric services, therapy and counselling units, in-patient wards, diagnostic and pharmacy units, rehabilitation spaces, and administrative and staff facilities.

A brainchild of the Eve Medical Foundation under the leadership of its Co-Founder, Lady Julia Osei Tutu, wife of the Asantehene, the centre was fully funded by the KGL Foundation.

Additionally, the foundation has pledged to fund the completion of the second and third phases of the centre by 2027.

It will provide services to people across nine regions, including Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Northern, North-East, Upper East, Upper West and Savannah. 

Practical response

Inaugurating the centre yesterday, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the facility was a practical response to the real and growing demand for integrated medical and mental health services in the country.

She said the global and national healthcare landscapes were changing, influenced by pandemics, digital medicine, and ethical dilemmas, coupled with expanding populations, and stated that the government would continue to prioritise healthcare within Ghana’s agenda.

She stressed that “we are strengthening primary health care, expanding the National Health Insurance Scheme coverage, modernising facilities, increasing training and access to mental health and wellness services”.

The Vice-President, however, stated that the government alone could not meet every healthcare need of Ghana’s growing population, stressing that “the nation relies on partnerships with private sector actors, foundations and institutions that share our vision for a stronger, healthier Ghana”.

Challenges
The Vice-President said facing medical and mental health challenges among children, mothers, working and retired adults required accessible, stigma-free services supported by strong partnerships.

The centre, she said, would contribute to these efforts and expand care options in the region through the purpose-built mental and wellness facility with a focus on women within its catchment areas.

“We expect that the centre would contribute to research and training through meaningful partnership and collaboration with the KNUST.

This centre is positioned to reduce delays and ease pressure on existing health facilities,” she stated.

While commending all who contributed towards the execution of the project, she said the centre would complement the national health policy and universal health coverage objectives, and strengthen health delivery capacity in the region, among others.

Unacceptable

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KGL Foundation, Elliot Dadey, said the centre existed now because it was unacceptable to envisage a future where 10 per cent of Ghanaians would suffer silently while only two per cent received care.

“This project represents a significant shift in our history; a Ghana where mental health is not a privilege of wealth or geography, but a right protected with the same seriousness as any other form of health care,” he said.

Privilege

The Chairman of KGL Group of Companies, Alex Apau Dadey, said for far too long, access to professional mental health care had been a privilege limited by geographical location, compelling patients to travel hundreds of kilometres to the south in search of care.

He said depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, epilepsy-related disorders, and severe mental illness did not discriminate, adding that “they affect the young and old, rich and poor, educated and uneducated”.

Yet, for decades, he said, access to mental health care remained shrouded in silence, stigma and severe underinvestment, emphasising that mental health was not a luxury issue but a public health necessity.

“The centre has been designed as a modern, dignified and professional environment focused on the care of people living with mental health conditions. This is not an institution of confinement, but a centre of healing, hope, and human dignity,” he stressed.

New chapter
For her part, Lady Julia said the inauguration of the centre was more than the opening of a facility as it also marked the beginning of a new chapter in compassionate health care, advocacy for mental wellness and dignified support for women and children, among others.

She said many women suffered silently from various forms of mental illness, including anxiety, postpartum challenges, childhood behavioural issues, stress-related complications and emotional trauma.

She indicated that it was time to take off the wraps and to address the needs of the hundreds and thousands of people suffering silently, indicating that the vision of the centre was built on accessibility, dignity and holistic care for patients.

Lady Julia paid glowing tribute to Mr Dadey and the leadership of the KGL Foundation for fully funding the entire construction of the centre, stressing that it would bridge the gap between academia and health care, and give the wider community access to early diagnosis, treatment and preventive care.

The CEO of the Mental Health Authority, Dr Eugene Kobla Dordoye, expressed worry that the gap between those who needed mental health care and those who received actual care was very wide.

Leaders of the association are in discussions with the Regional Police Command to secure approval and finalise arrangements for the protest.

Speaking to Adom News, Women’s President of GUNMA, Sandra Frimpong, said the group is ready to take its concerns directly to key government institutions.

“We are prepared to send our grievances to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and even the Jubilee House if necessary,” she stated.

The planned protest highlights growing frustration among thousands of qualified nurses and midwives who feel abandoned despite the critical role they play in Ghana’s healthcare system.

Several members expressed deep disappointment, noting that the lack of employment opportunities has left them stranded for years since graduation.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Dr. Okyere lamented that despite completing six years of academic training and an additional year of practical internship, many qualified professionals remain unemployed.

“We have not received any concrete message from government on recruitment. After six years of school and one year of training, you are made to sit at home with no jobs,” he said.

Dr. Okyere emphasized the critical role medical laboratory scientists play in primary healthcare, particularly in the early detection of diseases and infections, warning that neglecting these professionals undermines the country’s healthcare system.

He revealed that their union wrote to the Chief of Staff on May 19, 2025, requesting clearance for recruitment, and that the letter was forwarded to the Ministry of Health. However, he said no action has been taken and no timelines have been provided.

“We have been ignored. Our leaders followed up but to no avail. Our group of professionals is ready to serve, but it feels like we’ve been overlooked,” he added.

Dr. Okyere urged the government to prioritize the recruitment of medical laboratory scientists and expand opportunities within the health sector to strengthen primary healthcare across the country.

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Most sleep experts advise that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night for good health and emotional well-being (although that changes as you get older). And studies warn that sleeping for less than seven hours a day can increase the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and other issues that come with sleep deprivation.

CNN has reported on those risks, too, including how getting five hours or less of sleep can increase the likelihood of developing chronic disease.

Dr. Tony Cunningham, clinical psychologist and director of the Center for Sleep and Cognition in Boston, said it isn’t as simple as getting the “right” number of hours of sleep. In a conversation with CNN, he explained his thinking.

Sleep quality is just as important as sleep time

A lot of people tend to focus on how many hours of sleep they’re getting but neglect the quality of their sleep, which can be even more important than sleep time.

“There’s two different things going on in our bodies that dictate both the type of sleep that we’re getting and the quality of sleep that we’re getting, and that is our sleep pressure and circadian rhythms,” said Cunningham, who is also an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School.

Sleep pressure or sleep drive builds up the longer that you’re awake and decreases while you’re asleep. It’s what causes you to start feeling tired after being awake for an extended period.

“It’s just like eating,” Cunningham said. “The longer it’s been since you’ve eaten, the hungrier you get.”

To get a good night’s worth of sleep, you want to get into bed when you’ve built up a lot of sleep pressure.

Your circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock.

Don’t let the name fool you though. Although external factors, such as light, can affect your circadian rhythm, the pattern that your body follows is guided by your brain.

“The circadian rhythm can fluctuate and send either sleep-promoting signals or wake-promoting signals throughout the course of the day,” Cunningham said. “So, if you’ve ever pulled an all-nighter and you’ve gotten a second wind in the middle of the night, and you felt less tired, then that is your circadian rhythm kicking in.”

For higher sleep quality, sleep pressure and your circadian rhythm should be working together. That means that any abrupt changes or an irregular sleep schedule can affect your ability to sleep and lower sleep quality.

One way to enhance sleep quality “is to start waking up at the same time every day, as it can be a little bit more impactful than going to bed at the same time every day — because it’s not always a good idea to go to bed if you’re not sleepy yet,” Cunningham said.

Once you have a general sleep schedule or routine, then your body will naturally start to seek out its optimal sleep time.

How many hours of sleep do you need?

To get quality sleep, set up a routine that helps you regulate sleep pressure and circadian rhythm. SimpleImages/Moment RF/Getty Images

There is nothing wrong about advising people to get an average of seven to nine hours of sleep, but it’s important to remember that this range is the average.

“That does not mean that every single person on the planet needs eight hours of sleep,” Cunningham said. “There are some people that really, truly only need five or six hours — like their biology and physiology only would allow them at optimal functioning to get five to six hours of sleep.”

This goes both ways though. “There are also people out there that need nine, 10, 11 hours of sleep per night,” he added.

To figure out how much sleep you need, you can do these two things.

“You’re going to keep a consistent bedtime. I want it to be a bedtime that you are pretty confident you’ll be able to fall asleep within no more than 20 to 30 minutes,” Cunningham said.

Your bedtime should be when you’re feeling sleepy, not just tired. If you get into bed and can’t fall asleep within that 20-to-30-minute range, then it’s likely that you haven’t built up enough sleep pressure.

If that’s the case, it’s better to engage in some low-arousing activities, such as taking a bath or meditating with the lights dimmed, until you start to feel sleepy.

“Then you need to find a period of time in your life where you can sleep until you wake up naturally with no alarm,” Cunningham said.

“Go around your room, hide your clocks, block out the curtains, maybe do noise machines, have an eye mask on. Everything you can do so that you can be in your room, you have no sense of what time it is, and then you go to sleep, and you sleep until you wake up,” he added.

Of course, not everyone has the schedule to do this exercise. But if you’re a student who is home for the holidays or you’ve taken some time off work, it might be a worthwhile experiment, especially if you’re concerned about the amount of sleep you’re getting.

“The first couple of days, you’re probably going to sleep for longer than you normally would,” he said. “So, if you let yourself go to bed at midnight, it’s not uncommon for people to sleep until like 10 or 11 in the morning the first couple of days, while they catch up on their sleep pressure.”

After those first few days of catching up, you’ll know you’ve found your sleep time “when you wake up for three or four days in a row at approximately the same time with no external cues, no light cues and no alarm,” he said.

He says condoms remain a vital, cost-effective tool in the fight against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Dr. Kofi Frimpong Oppong who is also the Medical Director of FamCare Clinic, was speaking at a free medical‑screening event organized by his outfit at the Kumasi City Mall.

Responding to the rising number of HIV‑positive cases in the Ashanti Region, he warned young people against casual, unprotected sex.

He also spoke against sexual promiscuity and illicit drug use.

“I strongly urge the youth to heed this advice, adopt responsible habits, and grow into maturity, eventually settling with one partner,” the medical practitioner admonished.

Scores of residents of Asokwa including shoppers at the Kumasi City Mall, took advantage of the free medical screening opportunity provided by FamCare Consult.

The event, held on the national holiday to honor farmers, provided medical screening for malaria, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), Hepatitis B status, among others.

Patrons received counseling, medical prescriptions and refreshment.

Dr. Kofi Frimpong Oppong explained the free medical screening was to enable people proactively check and know their current health status.

He added that, “It was specifically designed to provide an opportunity for residents in the Asokwa area, particularly shoppers at the City Mall, to assess their health conditions.”

“We appreciate the free checks and the honest talk,” said one young woman. “It makes us feel cared for and gives us the information we need.”

Source: Francis Mensah

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Enyonam Yao Kwawukume, Founder and Vice Chancellor of FHU, commended the graduates for their resilience, discipline, and commitment to excellence.

Seventy-three medical students graduated, including 30 Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences (pre-clinical) students progressing to the clinical phase, and 43 who completed their clinical training, earning the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree. Prof. Kwawukume highlighted their readiness to contribute to Ghana’s pursuit of accessible and quality healthcare.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery presented 245 graduates: 111 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 64 Bachelor of Science in Midwifery, and 70 Nurse Assistant Clinical graduates. He praised them for embracing a profession that demands knowledge, empathy, and dedication to service.

The Vice Chancellor also highlighted FHU’s growth, including the recruitment of competent faculty, expansion of lecture halls, additional vehicles for clinical rotations, and ongoing construction of student hostels and office spaces.

He emphasized the university’s strong international partnerships, including with the University of Virginia (UVA) and the University of Michigan, which support research and academic exchanges in areas like adolescent sexual and reproductive health and maternal and child health.

Guest of Honour, Air Commodore D. A. Akrong, Acting Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), encouraged graduates to uphold the highest standards of service, describing healthcare professionals as bridges between “pain and healing, despair and hope.”

Top honours were awarded to five exceptional graduates:

• Overall Best BSc Medical Science: Bediako Felicity Akunor Dede
• Overall Best MBChB Student: Quaye Millicent
• Overall Best Nursing Graduate: Gwyn Antoinette
• Overall Best Midwifery Graduate: Kuatsenu Jessica
• Overall Best Nurse Assistant Clinical: Okoawo Osamudiamen Daisy

Among dignitaries present were Dr. Susu Bridget Kwawukume, Founder of FHU and Hospital; Brig. Gen. Daniel K. Frimpong (Rtd.), Chairman of Council; Gbetsorlor Nii Ashitey Akomfra III, Paramount Chief of Teshie Traditional Council; Hon. Benjamin Ayiku, MP for Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly; and Reverend Father Andrew Campbell of the Weija Leprosarium.

The ceremony concluded with congratulatory messages to all graduates as they embark on their professional journeys.

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Speaking in an interview on The Delay Show on Sunday, Mr. Kufuor said he was impressed by how the Akufo-Addo administration steered the country through the unprecedented health emergency.

“With what I saw, I could say Akufo-Addo managed the COVID-19 situation well,” he stated.

COVID-19 emerged in 2019 and quickly became a global pandemic, causing widespread infections, deaths, and major disruptions worldwide.

Ghana confirmed its first cases in March 2020 and responded with strong measures such as border closures, partial lockdowns, mask mandates, and expanded testing and treatment facilities. The country also benefited early from COVAX vaccine supplies.

By 2021–2022, widespread vaccination helped reduce severe illness and fatalities, even as new variants appeared. As cases declined, Ghana gradually eased restrictions, and life began returning to normal.

However, the former President noted that while the government performed strongly on the pandemic front, certain other policy decisions left him puzzled.

He cited the handling of the bond market, the management of the National Cathedral project, and the manner in which some decisions surrounding it were taken.

“However, aside from that, there are certain things I could not wrap my head around, such as the bond market situation and the National Cathedral project—how it was handled and how it wasn’t done finally,” he said.

He also disclosed that he was never consulted by the Akufo-Addo administration on the controversial National Cathedral project.

Mr Kufuor stated plainly that he had no prior knowledge of the project’s details and was not included in any discussions.

“I was not consulted on the National Cathedral project. I don’t go for Cabinet meetings,” he said. “All of a sudden, you realise something was going on.”

The exercise focused on checking blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and conducting HIV/AIDS tests, aiming to improve the overall health of community members.

Robert Donkor, Medical Records Officer at the Sankore Health Centre, noted that many residents diagnosed with high blood pressure or high blood sugar are skeptical about the effectiveness of prescribed medications.

Speaking to Adom News, Mr. Donkor expressed concern that a significant number of residents are reluctant to undergo regular screenings, a situation he described as potentially dangerous.

He urged community members to take such screenings seriously, warning that untreated conditions like hypertension and diabetes can be life-threatening. Mr. Donkor also highlighted the low turnout at free health events and encouraged residents to seize such opportunities and visit health facilities regularly for check-ups.

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The high-level ICASA 2025 Side Event on Ending Mother-to-Child Transmission and the Triple Elimination of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B in Africa brought together influential leaders dedicated to improving the health and dignity of African mothers and children.

Among the distinguished guests were H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of OAFLAD; H.E. Mrs. Rachel Ruto, First Lady of Kenya; H.E. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia; H.E. Madam Kartumu Yarta Boakai, First Lady of Liberia; and the former First Lady of South Africa, H.E. Tobeka Stacie Madiba Zuma.

The gathering celebrated not only the stature of the attendees but their shared determination to translate advocacy into concrete action.

“The power of this gathering lies not merely in our titles but in our shared determination to translate advocacy into action and platforms into progress,” one First Lady noted during the meeting.

The leaders emphasized their unique responsibility to elevate the voices of those often unheard—the mothers in remote villages, vulnerable newborns, and communities striving for healthier lives.

Organizers and supporting partners, including OAFLAD, UNAIDS, the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), and NAP+ Ghana, were commended for providing technical support and leadership, ensuring the event’s impact extended beyond the conference room.

In her closing remarks, the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama underscored a simple but powerful message: no child should enter the world bearing a preventable infection, and no mother should be denied the services and dignity that safeguard her health and secure her baby’s future.

The exercise, aimed at protecting public health and maintaining the dignity of the deceased, revealed alarming conditions at several facilities.

At the Suhum Government Hospital mortuary, inspectors temporarily closed the facility after observing overcrowding, poor body arrangement, foul odours, and blood-stained floors. The mortuary, which has a capacity of 100 bodies, was flagged for severe non-compliance.

Adom Funeral Home Mortuary at Berekumaso, near Asamankese, was sanctioned for stagnant water, inadequate sanitation, lack of PPEs, and absence of a standby generator. The Great Consolidated Diamonds Ghana Limited (GCDGL) mortuary was found locked with staff unavailable, and the environment was reportedly unkempt and poorly maintained. The Asamankese Government Hospital mortuary was cited for similar sanitation breaches.

On the second day, the Kwahu Government Hospital mortuary in Atibie, though registered with MoFFA, was completely shut down after inspectors noted poor hygiene and discovered parts of the premises had been converted into a farming area.

MoFFA Registrar Francis Ennin said all affected facilities had been warned months earlier but failed to address the issues. He stressed that the enforcement focuses on waste disposal, sanitation, power and water supply, PPE availability, and proper handling of bodies.

“We are here to ensure compliance and safeguard the welfare of Ghanaians,” he said, warning that non-compliant operators will face surcharges and strict monitoring.

MoFFA has identified eight facilities for inspection in the Eastern Region and clarified that partially closed mortuaries cannot accept new bodies, though families may retrieve those already in storage.

The agency plans to extend the enforcement drive nationwide to curb unsafe mortuary practices, under its mandate established by the Health Institutions and Facilities Act 829.

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The outreach, held in collaboration with the Assembly Member and Queen Mother, Mama Nyuiewaa I, recorded an impressive turnout. A total of 997 adults—mostly farmers—and children received comprehensive medical services, making it one of the most impactful health initiatives in the region this year.

Residents traveled from across the Volta Region, some arriving at dawn, to access free medical care they often cannot afford locally.

Comprehensive Health Services Provided
The event offered a wide range of medical services including blood pressure and blood sugar tests, weight measurement, general consultations, breast and cervical cancer screenings, ultrasounds, ENT services, dental and eye checks, skin disease treatment, family planning services, wound dressing, and free medications.

Participants also benefited from expert health talks on hypertension, diabetes, breast and cervical cancer, and family planning—equipping them with vital knowledge to prevent long-term health complications.

“Health Is Wealth” in Action
Speaking to the media after the outreach, Afrika Nyornu Foundation Executive Director Maloe Nartey expressed gratitude to supporting partners.

“We couldn’t have done this without the immense support of Newage Agric Solutions Limited and Indus Life Sciences. These organizations understand that health is wealth and consistently support our community outreaches,” she said.

Real Impact on Lives
For many attendees, the outreach was more than a health event—it was a lifeline. One pregnant participant shared her relief:

“I’m six months pregnant and was asked to take a scan, but I couldn’t afford it. I feel so blessed that it was done for me today.”

Her story reflects the experience of many rural women who face financial barriers to essential maternal care.

A Model of Community-Centered Healthcare
The success of the outreach was made possible by the combined efforts of Afrika Nyornu, Newage Agric Solutions Ltd., M&M Medical Centre, Indus Life Sciences, community volunteers, and local leaders. All services, medicines, and consumables were provided free of charge.

The initiative aligns with Afrika Nyornu’s mission to improve healthcare access in underserved communities through targeted, high-impact interventions. The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to expanding such programs to ensure that no Ghanaian—regardless of location or financial status—is left behind.

Truly, HEALTH IS WEALTH.

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Presenting Ghana’s 2024 National HIV Estimates at the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025), Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh revealed that the country recorded 15,290 new HIV infections and more than 12,600 AIDS-related deaths in 2024. Of the estimated 334,721 people living with HIV, over 18,000 are children under the age of 15.

Despite this significant disease burden, only 47.5% of adults and 35.8% of children living with HIV are currently on treatment — a shortfall the Minister described as the biggest obstacle to achieving epidemic control.

He highlighted that inequalities, stigma, and discrimination continue to hinder access to essential care, particularly for key populations such as female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender persons.

The Minister also underscored the vulnerability of young people, noting that adolescents and youth aged 10 to 24 account for nearly one-third of all new infections. He expressed particular concern over the disproportionately high rate of infections among adolescent girls and young women.

While acknowledging progress — including a 90% treatment success rate among those on antiretroviral therapy and a 99.3% success rate in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) — Mintah Akandoh noted that more than 160,000 diagnosed individuals are still not receiving treatment.

“Our 2024 national estimates reveal both impressive progress and serious challenges,” he said.

“Ghana has approximately 334,721 people living with HIV, including over 18,000 children under 15. Adult prevalence stands at 1.49%, with 15,290 new infections and 12,614 AIDS-related deaths recorded last year. Encouragingly, those on treatment have reached 90%, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission stands at 99.3%.”

The Health Minister called for stronger interventions, expanded treatment access, and renewed commitment from all stakeholders to close the treatment gap and safeguard national progress.

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Speaking at the event, the Registrar and Director of the college, Mr. Kwaku Akwetey, underscored the importance of students exploring opportunities beyond government institutions when pursuing higher education. He emphasized that private institutions now offer services comparable to those provided in many public schools.

“Apart from allowances from government, both government and private schools run the same curriculum. Our students have their clinicals at Ridge Hospital and Legon Hospital,” he said.

Mr. Akwetey assured that despite potential increases in student intake, the college remains committed to maintaining its high standards in training and academic excellence.

“There are various testimonies of how well our students perform from nurses, and our teaching staff are current practitioners, making it easier for students to understand,” he added.

He further advised students to prioritize professionalism over the pursuit of quick financial gain.

“Money is important, but working professionally and honestly is the best. If you go running after money, you will be disgraced. But if you work professionally, you will gradually climb the ladder. If I were to follow money, this school would never be where it is now. This college was built on sacrifice and professionalism,” he said.

Oak City International College traces its roots to New Era College, founded in London in 1990 by Mr. Osei Asibey Kwateng to support disadvantaged youth with vocational training in business and healthcare. After 25 years of success abroad, he established the Ghana branch in 2008, which was later renamed Oak City International College (OCIC) in 2017.

OCIC is fully accredited and affiliated with the University of Cape Coast. It offers programs in Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, Pharmacy Assistance, Fashion Design, and Media Studies. Mr. Kwateng has spent over 30 years helping thousands of students build successful professional careers across two continents.

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Addressing journalists on Thursday, December 4, he argued that the fundamental challenge facing health facilities is the lack of voluntary blood donors, not transportation constraints as previously suggested by former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, under whose leadership Zipline was introduced.

“Zipline’s presence in this country is a mistake. I’m not being political. It was the brainchild of his Excellency, the former Vice President, Dr. Bawumia,” he said.

“He wrongly diagnosed the problem in Ghana… everybody in the health sector knows that the problem of blood and blood products is not the transportation of these products.”

Dr. Nawaane explained that the main barrier to blood availability remains the shortage of voluntary donors, which compels families, churches and communities to be called upon when patients urgently need blood.

He maintained that if health facilities were adequately equipped with cold rooms and blood storage capacity, they would be able to supply blood when needed without relying on drone delivery.

“The amount of money that we spend on Zipline every month is $528,000,” he stated.

“If for the past five years we wanted to establish cold rooms in all district hospitals and health centres using this amount of money, we should have been able to do it.”

The Health Committee Chair also appealed to medical superintendents to use part of their Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to secure decent accommodation for newly posted medical officers, stressing that housing is often the first concern for doctors reporting to new duty stations.

“What doctors usually look for when they go to any place is accommodation… a decent and safe accommodation,” he said.

“I urge all medical superintendents, please, as I fight for your IGFs to be released to you, use part of it to rent decent accommodations for your incoming doctors and other health professionals.”

In a statement, the coalition acknowledged the payment of one month’s salary in November 2025 but said it falls far short of meeting the needs of nurses and midwives who have worked 11–12 months without pay.

The group described the partial payment as “a painful reminder of the neglect” faced by healthcare workers, highlighting the debt, eviction threats, hunger, and psychological stress endured by its members.

The coalition is calling for a clear, written payment plan for all remaining arrears by the first week of December and insists on full settlement of outstanding salaries before the end of the year.

They reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful engagement while demanding fairness and respect from the Government of Ghana.

The coalition emphasized that the nursing and midwifery fraternity expects urgent action. “The hardship is unbearable, the delay unjustifiable, and the world is still watching,” the statement said.

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In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 3, the Ministry assured that all remaining administrative processes are being addressed to ensure full payment for every recruit.

The Ministry also commended the medical officers who have already reported to their duty stations and urged those yet to do so to report by Friday, December 12, 2025.

According to the Ministry, the recent postings are not intended as punishment but are necessary to ensure an equitable distribution of healthcare workers across the country.

“Families and relatives of the newly posted medical officers are encouraged to support them in accepting and settling into their assigned postings, especially in underserved areas,” the statement said.

The Ministry further appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to provide essential incentives such as accommodation, transport support, and other basic amenities to help attract and retain health professionals in their districts.

It also clarified that no changes will be made to the recent postings.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s health workforce and ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services nationwide.

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Addressing concerns over the slow response from some officers, the Minister stressed that postings to regional and district facilities should not be viewed as a form of punishment. He revealed that several regions have recorded zero arrivals from doctors who were duly posted.

Describing the situation as worrying, Mr. Akandoh noted that the current numbers of reported doctors across the regions are far from encouraging. He urged the officers to comply with the directive promptly, emphasising that their presence in the districts is crucial for improving healthcare delivery nationwide.

New data from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) highlights a significant nationwide turnout gap, with seven out of every ten newly posted medical officers failing to report to their assigned regions.

The report, dated 28 November 2025, shows that out of 463 medical officers allocated across the 16 regions, only 158 have reported, representing just 34% of expected postings. An overwhelming 305 doctors, or 66%, have yet to show up.

The figures reveal a health workforce deployment system experiencing a dramatic slowdown, leaving several regions waiting for doctors who have not yet arrived.

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Speaking at the Government Accountability Series, Mr. Akandoh revealed that GH¢34 billion has been allocated to the health sector, including GH¢11 billion for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He said the scheme has been stabilised, coverage has increased to 20 million people, and tariffs will rise by 120 per cent next year to reflect realistic service costs.

He announced that a GH¢1.5 billion Free Primary Healthcare package will be rolled out, while the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCare) is now fully operational, supported by GH¢2.3 billion to assist patients.

The Minister also disclosed that construction of three new regional hospitals in the Savannah, Oti, and Western North regions will begin in 2026, with GH¢600 million budgeted for the projects, assuring that no existing health project will be abandoned.

On personnel, GH¢16.7 billion has been earmarked to sustain payment of newly recruited nurses, deploy 700 medical doctors, and ensure timely release of trainee allowances.

Addressing concerns over Zipline drone services, Mr. Akandoh explained that although the service was intended to operate independently, government has been paying over US$500,000 monthly.

A recent review showed only 12 per cent of flights serve hard-to-reach communities, with many used for non-essential deliveries.

He stressed that government is engaging Zipline to ensure value for money, noting that any future agreement must align with the president’s directive for efficient and justifiable spending.

Mr. Akandoh said the 2026 budget demonstrates government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare access and ensuring accountability in public health spending.

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His comments come in response to allegations by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who stated during the Government Accountability Series on Monday, December 1, 2025, that the multi-million-dollar drone programme has strayed from its original purpose of delivering emergency, life-saving medical supplies to hard-to-reach communities.

Speaking on Adom TV’s Badwam, Mr. Merki insisted that deliveries of non-medical items are “extremely rare.”

He explained that only one in 20,000 flights involves items such as condoms, and even then, these requests come from agencies under the Ministry of Health, not from Zipline itself.

“Critical life-saving commodities, which we have delivered, have saved lives in the tune of 10,000. There are emergencies we attend to, and many nuances to these critical deliveries. We follow a list provided by the Ministry of Health of products we are mandated to deliver,” he said.

Mr. Merki emphasised that Zipline simply executes requests placed by the appropriate health agencies.

“Supply continuously comes from the agencies under the Ministry of Health. Even if you want to dig deeper on this issue, I’m not the best person to answer, because we work with the Ministry and its agencies to ensure the most critical deliveries are made,” he added.

When asked whether condoms were part of Zipline’s approved delivery items, Mr. Merki clarified that they were not delivered as standalone packages.

“These condoms were not delivered on their own. They were included alongside other medical commodities,” he explained.

The investment will help extend access to blood, vaccines, and other essential health supplies to as many as 15,000 health facilities.

The announcement was made during a U.S. Embassy digital press briefing on December 2, outlining the initiative as part of the U.S. Department of State’s new America First Global Health Strategy.

The strategy aims to boost the value of U.S. foreign assistance by reducing waste, avoiding dependency, and aligning global health investments with U.S. policy goals.

Speaking at the briefing, Jeff Graham of the State Department said the partnership prioritises reaching remote and underserved communities with critical health commodities.

He explained that working with Zipline—an American robotics and drone-technology firm—is central to modernizing the U.S. approach to global health logistics.

Under the agreement, U.S. support will drive the deployment of Zipline’s advanced, American-made autonomous aircraft to tackle slow and unreliable delivery systems that hinder timely access to medical supplies.

Graham described the investment as a significant step toward strengthening health systems’ capacity to respond swiftly to disease outbreaks and medical emergencies.

He emphasised that while the U.S. is providing initial capital, partner governments will ultimately assume operational responsibility for their national health delivery networks.

Zipline will open new distribution centres across the participating countries, with Rwanda expected to double its daily delivery capacity, enabling the network to eventually serve up to 130 million people across Africa.

Caitlin Burton, CEO of Zipline Africa, noted that the company’s autonomous, all-weather drones already operate around the clock to maintain a responsive, on-demand medical supply chain—often outperforming traditional delivery systems.

Supported by partners such as the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Zipline has demonstrated that its model is both impactful and cost-effective.

Burton said the new U.S. partnership will help Zipline reach nationwide scale in all five countries, creating an estimated 1,000 jobs and contributing more than $1 billion in annual economic gains.

She stressed that Zipline’s mission goes beyond logistics, aiming to equip health systems to end preventable deaths—from HIV transmission to maternal mortality and severe malnutrition.

“This system is meant to operate nationwide and at a scale that truly changes health outcomes,” she explained.

“We now know how to solve challenges like maternal mortality and malnutrition, and the network is built to meet those goals.”

Burton added that while the U.S. may provide seed capital, governments will cover predictable long-term operating costs, enabling them to replace multiple vertical health programmes with one unified national delivery system.

“You’re not funding a single programme or one-off intervention,” she said.

“You’re ensuring essential medical products reach patients everywhere—including communities where distance or stigma might prevent people from seeking care.”

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Speaking on behalf of the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Deputy Minister Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah highlighted that the revitalised advisory body brings together leading experts to guide immunisation decisions amid rapidly evolving global health challenges.

“The refreshed NITAG provides impartial, high-quality recommendations to inform national vaccine introductions, optimise immunisation schedules, and support sustainable financing under the government’s Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) policy,” she said.

Prof. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah outlined three key priorities for the group: strengthening evidence-based policymaking, enhancing national preparedness and health security, and promoting transparency and collaboration among health institutions and partners.

She reaffirmed the government’s full support for NITAG, stating that its guidance will be crucial in protecting communities, advancing equitable access to vaccines, and building a resilient health system.

Newly appointed NITAG chairman, Prof. Philip B. Adongo, pledged the committee’s commitment to providing high-quality technical guidance for Ghana’s immunisation programme.

“We are grateful for the confidence placed in us by the Ministry and will build on past achievements to strengthen immunisation policy and support national health goals,” he said.

The reconstitution of NITAG comes at a pivotal moment as Ghana continues to navigate global health challenges and seeks to ensure that its immunisation policies are scientifically grounded, equitable, and sustainable.

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This year’s initiative is dedicated to supporting children living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus under the care of the Dorcas Margaret Foundation.

The 2025 outreach aims to provide essential items, raise public awareness, and offer direct support to affected children and their families.

Speaking ahead of the event, the association’s Secretary, Sarah Banini, highlighted the urgent need for sustained intervention. She explained that many children diagnosed with these conditions require continuous medical attention and specialized care—needs that often place heavy emotional and financial pressure on families.

“Our goal is to ease this burden while advocating for early healthcare intervention and improved access to medical services for vulnerable children,” Banini said.

The beneficiaries of this year’s project include:

• Children diagnosed with spina bifida and hydrocephalus
• Families struggling with medical bills and long-term care
• The Dorcas Margaret Foundation, which provides medical, financial, and emotional support to these families

Organizers noted that the initiative aligns with national efforts to enhance child welfare and strengthen the healthcare system. They emphasized the importance of promoting community empathy, volunteerism, and partnerships to support vulnerable groups across the country.

Alpha Ladies is calling on NGOs, corporate organizations, philanthropists, and individuals to join the cause through financial contributions, essential donations, or strategic collaborations. The group believes that collective support is vital in establishing a stronger safety net for children living with complex medical conditions.

Over the years, Alpha Ladies has earned recognition for its impactful community and humanitarian initiatives, including support for orphanages, widows, discharged mothers, and female patients at Tema General Hospital.

This year’s project reinforces the association’s enduring legacy of compassion, social responsibility, and commitment to improving the lives of marginalized families.

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The report, dated 28 November 2025, shows that out of 463 medical officers allocated across the 16 regions, only 158 have reported, representing just 34% of expected postings.

An overwhelming 305 doctors, or 66%, have still not shown up.

The numbers paint a picture of a health workforce deployment system experiencing a dramatic slowdown, leaving several regions waiting for doctors who simply have not arrived.

Regions Left Waiting: Zero and Single-Digit Reporting in Some Areas

Some regions recorded stunningly low turnout, with several receiving no arrivals at all and others reporting only single-digit numbers.

These regions are, quite literally, still waiting.

On the opposite end, Ghana’s largest metropolitan regions, Greater Accra and Ashanti, recorded the highest reporting rates, with turnout levels well above 60%, indicating a clear urban pull.

The contrast is clear.

While some regions are receiving doctors in strong numbers, others remain almost completely unattended.

Across the country, the data is striking.

According to the Ghana Health Service, “Regions are encouraged to intensify engagements with the medical officers to improve the current numbers.”

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Addressing the Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, December 1, the Minister disclosed that the centres will be situated at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and the Tamale Teaching Hospital. He noted that these facilities will play a critical role in expanding access to specialist cardiac care for Ghanaians.

Transitioning to broader reforms, Akandoh said the Ministry is embarking on a major retooling of primary health facilities to equip them with essential tools needed to deliver effective primary healthcare. He stressed that without the right equipment at the basic level, Ghana cannot achieve the quality of care citizens deserve.

The Minister also revealed that government is acquiring new DNA testing machines, with one expected to be installed at the Noguchi Memorial Hospital, to strengthen diagnostic capacity nationwide.

“We are going to retool our primary health facilities with the basic equipment required to deliver quality healthcare and give real meaning to primary healthcare. We are seeking to establish three catheterisation centres—at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and the Tamale Teaching Hospital. We are also procuring a DNA testing machine for the Noguchi Memorial Hospital.”

He added that under the Mahama Cares initiative, both teaching and non-teaching hospitals will benefit from improved equipment to enhance the management of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.

To ensure sustainability, Akandoh said the government is strengthening partnerships with the private sector, acknowledging that public resources alone cannot address the country’s health infrastructure needs. The new model, he explained, will allow private partners to provide equipment to public hospitals and receive reimbursement through claims-processing arrangements.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, December 1, the Minister disclosed that products such as condoms and mosquito nets were among the materials dispatched by Zipline. He further noted that the service had transported a variety of other supplies, including blood-donor cards, food and nutrition items, adhesive tapes, syringes, needles, as well as educational materials like textbooks and school uniforms.

According to Mr. Akandoh, these findings indicate a significant deviation from Zipline’s original purpose. “The services were to focus on hard-to-reach areas and emergency situations, but upon review, hard-to-reach areas constitute only 12% of their activities, while emergency services account for just 4%,” he said.

He added that the nature of items delivered raises further concern. “It will interest you to know some of the items they fly include condoms, blood-donor cards, mosquito nets, food and nutrition items, adhesive tapes, syringes and needles, and educational materials such as textbooks and uniforms.”

The Minister stated that the government is currently engaging Zipline to clarify the scope of its operations and settle outstanding debts, emphasizing the importance of ensuring value for money. “We think there must be value for money, therefore we are engaging them,” he said.

His remarks come amid reports that Zipline has shut down three of its centres due to an outstanding GH¢174 million owed by the government.

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Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, December 1, Akandoh explained that despite suggestions of a breakdown in the relationship, the ministry has held several meetings with Zipline and continues to evaluate both the operational and financial aspects of the agreement.

He emphasized that the review is part of the government’s commitment to prudent public spending.

“These are some of the items they have been flying, and when we came to office, we believed there must be value for money. So, we are engaging them. If you hear that we are not engaging Zipline, it is not true,” he said.

“We have met more than three times, and we are still engaging them to know how we can get value for money. That is what the President has directed—that in all ministries, we ensure value for money,” he added.

His clarification comes after reports suggested that Zipline may shut down three of its operational centres due to an outstanding GH¢174 million government debt.

Speaking at a technical workshop in Goaso, organised for stakeholders on family planning, the Deputy Director in charge of Public Health, Dr Michael Twum Bredu, told ADOM NEWS that effective measures implemented by the directorate have encouraged more people to adopt family planning.

According to Dr Twum Bredu, the directorate has ensured that every health facility in the region is staffed with well-trained officers who provide family planning services.

He also highlighted the role of community outreach programmes, where health workers, supported by opinion leaders, visit communities to educate residents on the importance of family planning for their wellbeing.

Despite the progress, Dr Twum Bredu noted that some challenges remain, which require stakeholder support.

He said misconceptions and misinformation about family planning persist, with some people believing, incorrectly, that it can prevent future pregnancies or cause excessive blood loss.

He also mentioned that certain religious groups discourage their members from using family planning services, which continues to affect uptake in the region.

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He issued the warning during a stakeholder meeting held in Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality, on the theme: “Attaining Universal Health Coverage: A Collective Responsibility.”

Mr. Koi Thompson stressed that the practice of imposing illegal charges on NHIS members undermines national efforts to promote equitable healthcare access.

According to him, the Authority has put in place strict monitoring mechanisms to identify and expose service providers who breach NHIA regulations, warning that those found culpable will be sanctioned.

He further directed NHIS district offices across the region to intensify monitoring activities and promptly report facilities engaging in practices contrary to NHIA guidelines.

He also encouraged subscribers to report any instances of illegal charges at their district offices to help strengthen transparency, accountability, and quality healthcare delivery.

Meanwhile, Isaac Bofah, the District Manager for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Upper Denkyira, identified network challenges as one of their major operational setbacks.

He explained that poor connectivity in parts of the district often prevents the team from registering residents during outreach programmes.

He therefore appealed for an offline-compatible system to enable continuous registration even in communities without stable internet access.

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Dr. Bampoe explained that the proposed hike follows extensive technical work by a team of independent experts tasked with reviewing tariffs under Sections 33 and 34 of the National Health Insurance Act, which mandate annual revisions of both medicine and service tariffs.

“What we are thinking of is that we have done the work and we think that it should be 120 percent. We are proposing it. It was done by a group of experts,” he said on Channel One TV.

He noted that while the medicines tariff review has already been completed, the service tariff review—initiated in 2022—took longer due to its comprehensive scope. “There are two types of reviews that we need to do, but this was a really comprehensive one, so I think they could not finish on time and so it is now that they have finished,” he explained.

Dr. Bampoe emphasized that implementation now hinges solely on statutory approvals. “Now it has to go to the Board for them to look at it and give their view on it. It has to go to the Minister of Health to give his assent, and then we will implement it if they all think it is okay,” he stated.

Organised by the Ghana Health Service with support from Sightsavers International, the meeting runs from 25th to 27th November 2025 in Accra.

It brings together health experts and NTD programme officials from across the sub-region to exchange best practices, harmonise strategies, and coordinate interventions in border communities, recognising that these diseases transcend political boundaries and require joint action.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health and acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health, urged participants to embrace collective responsibility and unity of purpose.

He stressed that eliminating these diseases demands sustained, coordinated action across national borders.

Dr Asiedu-Bekoe also highlighted the importance of good neighbourliness and regional solidarity, noting that success in this initiative will not only help eradicate Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic Filariasis but also bolster broader efforts against other neglected tropical diseases.

By working together, Ghana and its neighbouring countries are taking decisive steps toward a healthier future, ensuring that every at-risk community along shared borders receives timely, equitable, and effective care.

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Speaking on Channel One TV, Dr. Bampoe said, “We’ve a challenge of illegal fees at hospitals,” highlighting ongoing efforts by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to eliminate out-of-pocket payments demanded from patients.

He outlined a three-point vision aimed at improving patient experiences in healthcare facilities, noting that many hospitals fail to provide a satisfactory experience because patients are forced to pay unofficial fees.

“Some health providers argue that NHIA tariffs are unrealistic, which contributes to this practice. We believe that once tariffs are fair, there will be no excuse for health providers to ask patients to pay out-of-pocket,” he explained.

Dr. Bampoe’s comments come as part of broader efforts to enhance accountability and efficiency within Ghana’s healthcare system.

Speaking to the media after touring the new Bliss Eye Care facility in Wa on Monday, November 24, 2025, Dr Baluri said the clinic continues to receive children with severe eye complications caused by attempts to use breast milk as a home remedy.

He explained that although many caregivers believe breast milk has healing properties, it contains no antibiotics capable of treating eye infections.

“But we don’t know any antibiotic in breast milk. Most of what is happening to the children is due to infection, and breast milk has no antibiotics to treat it. So definitely, what are you putting in? You are doing nothing. Rather, it will cause more havoc,” he cautioned.

Dr Baluri noted that the practice—deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and misinformation—often delays proper medical treatment and worsens the child’s condition. Some infections, he added, can spread or cause irreversible damage by the time parents finally seek professional care.

He urged parents and caregivers to consult qualified eye specialists immediately when children show signs such as redness, discharge, persistent itching, or trouble seeing.

“Early recognition and early treatment are key. The eye is delicate, and once damage is done, reversing it is often difficult,” he stressed.

Dr Baluri called for intensified community education to debunk myths surrounding eye care, noting that many still attribute eye problems to spiritual causes instead of treatable medical conditions.

With preventable eye infections on the rise, he appealed to health authorities, the media, and community leaders to step up awareness campaigns and protect children from practices that endanger their vision.

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Speaking during the debate on the 2026 budget on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Mr. Yeboah noted that each Agenda 111 hospital is estimated to cost about GHS1.7 billion, putting the total cost for all ten facilities at approximately GHS19.26 billion.

He argued that the current allocation is “grossly insufficient” to make any meaningful impact.

“If you divide GHS19.26 billion by the GHS100 million allocated, it means that at this pace, the Agenda 111 project will be completed in the year 2219 — 193 years from now. Why is the NDC government not prioritising the health centres of this country?” he asked.

Mr. Yeboah warned that without a significant injection of funding, the hospitals will remain stalled, leaving many communities without access to essential healthcare.

Agenda 111 was launched by the previous administration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, after it was discovered that more than 100 districts and some regional capitals lacked hospitals. While construction began under the former government, most facilities remain unfinished.

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Speaking on Adom TV’s morning show, Badwam, Prof. Beyuo said the company is performing less than 1 percent of its core mandate, far below expectations.

He explained that Zipline was initially introduced with assurances that it would operate without relying on public funds and deliver critical supplies such as blood and vaccines to hard-to-reach areas.

“Zipline was supposed to rely on corporate partnerships to deliver essential commodities like food and vaccines to critical areas. However, when it was rolled out, it became a government-funded contract with a fixed payment structure,” he said.

Prof. Beyuo highlighted a review conducted by the Health Ministry under the current government, which found that only 12 percent of facilities served by Zipline were in hard-to-reach areas.

He added that the company has been delivering non-essential items, representing less than 1 percent of its core services, and that after six years of operations, there has been “no significant improvement” in Ghana’s vaccine distribution system.

“When the NDC came into power, the Health Minister reviewed Zipline’s operations and found that only a small fraction of facilities served were in hard-to-reach areas. For the rest, our existing supply systems could have sufficed. The delivery of non-essential items, which accounts for less than 1 percent of operations, shows that the core impact of Zipline remains very low,” he said.

Prof. Beyuo’s remarks come as the Ghana Health Service in the Western North Region has instructed district health facilities to prepare for a temporary suspension of operations at Zipline’s Sefwi Wiawso Distribution Centre, effective Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The directive follows an official notice from Fly Zipline Ghana Limited announcing a planned halt in operations.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Dr. Afriyie criticised the government for failing to engage the company despite its critical role in the health delivery system.

“This is a disruptive mindset from government. The impact is high, and people are already feeling the effects. The ministry is avoiding engagement with Zipline, and this is not acceptable. The public and the press need to focus on the real impact this has on rural communities” he said.

Dr. Afriyie questioned the rationale behind the decision, suggesting that the government’s visibility work was inadequate.

“What visibility work has the government done to conclude that Zipline cannot operate? When will we progress? Democracy is becoming a cost to us,” he said.

He also challenged claims that the construction of Agenda 111 hospitals justifies the shutdown of the drone centres.

“Saying they are building 111 hospitals is not a good reason. What about urgent emergencies? What power do they have if they keep swinging left and right?”

Highlighting the practical implications of the closure, Dr. Afriyie detailed the areas served by the affected centres:

• Centre 4 covers the Western North Region and parts of the Western, Central, Bono, Ashanti, and Ahafo Regions.
• Centre 5, located in Anum, supplies blood-related products, vaccines, and emergency medical items to the Volta Region, parts of the Eastern Region, and the Afram Plains enclave.
• Centre 6 serves the Oti Region and parts of the Savannah Region.

“With these centres shut down, patients who depend on timely blood and emergency supplies are at great risk. In the next few days, we are likely to see many preventable deaths related to lack of blood supply” he warned.

Dr. Afriyie also expressed empathy for Zipline staff, who have been left frustrated and uninformed.

“I feel for the workers. They have been left in the dark. This is more than a political decision—it will cost lives. Emergency healthcare must not be politicised,” he stressed.

He urged the government to take immediate action, invest in ambulances, and ensure continuity of essential medical services for rural and vulnerable communities.

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During a courtesy call on the Kenyasi No.1 and No.2 palaces, former Regional Minister George Yaw Boakye told Adom News that he and current Minister Charity Gardiner are collaborating with the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council and all MMDCEs to bring medical experts from the United States to the region.

The team of specialists is providing free medical care and medication at various hospitals across Ahafo.

Mr. Boakye emphasized that although he no longer holds office, involving the current minister ensures continuity and broadens the impact of the initiative, which he originally spearheaded.

Paramount Chief of the Kenyasi No.1 Traditional Council, Nana Osei Kofi Abiri, commended the move, noting that the mining-rich region faces numerous health challenges. He described the arrival of the additional medical experts as both timely and commendable.

The chief also praised the former and current ministers for setting aside political differences in the interest of residents and encouraged Mr. Boakye to continue leveraging his experience to attract further development to the region.

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This follows an earlier disbursement of GH¢500 million to healthcare facilities this year as part of broader efforts to clear arrears in the health sector.

Contributing to the debate on the 2026 Budget, Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh reaffirmed government’s commitment to prioritising frontline health workers by ensuring the timely payment of allowances and improving working conditions.

He also revealed that government will deploy 700 medical doctors to underserved communities to promote equitable distribution of healthcare professionals and enhance service delivery nationwide.

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The update follows an earlier report on October 14, 2025, when 22 new infections were recorded, pushing the total to 735 at the time.

Mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person. Health officials are urging the public to maintain good hygiene and report symptoms without delay.

Common symptoms include fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills and tiredness. People who experience these signs are advised to seek medical attention at the nearest health facility.

According to earlier situational data, cases reported in October involved people aged one to 50 years from Western, Bono, Greater Accra and Western North. At the time, two patients were on admission.

The death toll stood at three with no new deaths. The cumulative number of suspected cases was 3,506, and more than 3,800 contacts had been identified since the outbreak began.

The Ghana Health Service has been stepping up its response through workshops on a typical Mpox presentations, wound care, home isolation procedures, and psychosocial support in eight selected regions.

These sessions are for staff at ART sites, STI clinics, and other facilities to improve detection and case management.

Public education has also increased. Weekly social media updates are ongoing, along with a multilingual telephone poll to assess public awareness of Mpox prevention messages.

As of mid-October, more than 14,490 people, representing 73.9 per cent of the target group, had been vaccinated. Most of the vaccinated individuals were between twenty and thirty-nine years old.

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Presenting on Innovative Financing Models for Healthcare Sustainability at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), he noted that the NHIS now spends about 25 percent of its budget on these two diseases and related conditions alone.

“This will threaten the national health budget and the future sustainability of the NHIS if health promotion and preventive lifestyle measures are not prioritized now by health professionals in caring for patients,” he warned.

Dr Antwi added that the situation has wider economic consequences, revealing that approximately 30 percent of the adult population live with hypertension or diabetes. “Better disease control means preserved productivity. We must protect our fragile domestic and national economy,” he told the GMA.

He explained that while the financing pressure is severe, there is also a growing pool of private capital inflows that could support Ghana’s health system and boost medical tourism if doctors and health entrepreneurs adopt the right partnership models.

Dr Antwi presented detailed profiles of several financing institutions, including Oasis Capital, Golden Palm Investments, the Investment Funds for Health in Africa, and Medical Credit Fund, among others, showing investment offerings ranging from small health-SME loans to multimillion-dollar equity for hospitals, diagnostics and pharmaceutical infrastructure. These financiers, he said, “are ready to invest where there are bankable projects and efficient models.”

To unlock that capital, Dr Antwi outlined partnership options such as Build – Finance – Operate – Transfer arrangements, management contracts, lease or concession models for laboratories and imaging centres, joint ventures for new hospitals and pharmaceutical plants, and performance-based outsourcing for services like maintenance and diagnostics.

He stressed that these models help revive dormant public-sector assets and improve efficiency while maintaining government ownership. “These are not privatisation schemes; they are pathways to efficiency, strengthened services and shared risk,” he emphasised.

He also highlighted how the NHIS’s digital transformation, starting with credentialing tools (2008–2010), biometric enrolment, and the digitisation of over 90 percent of claims, has positioned the Scheme to make better health purchasing decisions for Ghanaians.

With an established Data Analytics Unit within the NHIA, Ghana is now exploring value-based care reforms that depend on near real-time data. He argued that this creates an opportunity to “pay for outcomes rather than utilization,” shifting the system towards greater efficiency.

A major part of Dr Antwi’s presentation focused on the ongoing value-based care (VBC) initiative for hypertension and diabetes being implemented with NHIA and the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG). The programme covers 22 facilities, with 2,534 out of 2,750 targeted patients already enrolled—representing a 92 per cent achievement.

Regional data show varying baseline blood pressure levels, with Ahafo recording an average systolic BP of 191 mmHg, far higher than the other regions.

According to Dr Antwi, consistent BP monitoring and adherence to standardised protocols are already yielding promising improvements with about 54% of patients having consistently controlled blood pressure compared to 6% in the normal population. “A combination of virtual and in-person care achieve faster hypertension control for patients and helps avoid costly complications,” he said.

He acknowledged several challenges—staff turnover, policy gaps, the need for compliance with quality of care protocols and incentives that empower patients, but insisted that the investment case for health remains compelling.

With hypertension now the leading cause of adult deaths in Ghana and health resources stretched thin, he argued that value-based care “is no longer optional; it is essential for efficiency, outcomes and sustainability.”

Dr Antwi ended with a call for deeper collaboration between government, private investors and health professionals. “We cannot solve Ghana’s health financing crisis working in silos. Partnerships, data and innovative models are the only way forward,” he said, urging the GMA to champion these reforms.

Speaking to Adom News correspondent Isaac K. Normanyo after the programme, Dr Anna Amankwaah, Resident Paediatrician at the Bekwai Municipal Hospital, said the day is worth celebrating due to the hospital’s high success rate in treating premature newborns.

She advised expectant mothers to prioritise proper antenatal care over self-medication, stressing that the best health services for both mothers and babies can only be obtained in a hospital setting.

Queen Elizabeth Sarkodie, mother of a premature baby, praised the hospital’s services, urging all mothers to trust Ghanaian medical practitioners.

She described the Bekwai Municipal Hospital as “very excellent” in saving the lives of pre-term babies.

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Speaking at the JoyNews National Dialogue on Investment in Newborn Health: Giving Preterm Babies a Strong Start, Rev. Mensah said the statistics on child mortality — particularly deaths within the first five years of life — were shocking and must not be treated as “just another set of numbers.”

“It’s the first time I’ve really heard about the data on how many children die within the first five years. The numbers are staggering. It’s like one and a half times a stadium full.

“We shouldn’t allow Prof’s data to become a conversation that fizzles out. We must take a critical look at the number of children we are losing and reduce it as much as we can,” he said.

Rev. Mensah stressed that the figures should trigger urgent national action, noting that Ghana spends significant resources on many areas, yet the protection of human life — particularly the lives of children — should be treated as the highest priority.

“The numbers are embarrassing to the nation.”

Rev. Mensah’s comments follow a presentation by Prof. Alexander Manu, Director of the Institute of Health Research at UHAS, who revealed stark statistics on child survival in Ghana over the years.

Prof. Manu noted that in 2000, Ghana recorded 67,273 deaths of children under five, while in 2023 the figure had reduced to 32,579, indicating progress but still reflecting thousands of preventable deaths.

He explained that for newborns specifically, neonatal deaths stood at 25,193 in 2000, and 18,856 in 2023, a decline that nonetheless shows newborns continue to account for a significant share of child mortality.

Rev. Mensah urged policymakers, churches, civil society, and the health sector to unite in reducing these numbers, insisting that Ghana’s future depends on protecting its youngest citizens.

He warned that failing to act would mean losing not just children, but the potential leaders, innovators, and contributors to the nation’s development.

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Speaking during the JoyNews National Dialogue on Investment in Newborn Health: Giving Preterm Babies a Strong Start, Prof. Manu explained that every newborn who dies represents not just a personal tragedy for families, but a significant socioeconomic loss for Ghana.

“I was thinking, those who turned 18 last year were born 18 years ago. I can assure you that a good percentage of them died. We don’t know what their potential could have been in life. Anytime a newborn dies, the cost for the country is higher than somebody who is older, because we don’t know who would be the next president or the next whoever,” he stated.

Prof. Manu explained that investing in newborns yields what he described as a ‘triple return’.

According to him, the interventions that protect newborns also safeguard mothers, prevent stillbirths and improve overall childbirth outcomes.

“As I have said, five out of every 10 children who die before age five are dying in the first month. So if we invest in the first month, we are saving children,” he added.

Ghana continues to struggle with newborn mortality, with the first 28 days of life remaining the riskiest period for a child.

Prof. Manu reiterated that the country cannot reduce under-five mortality without aggressively tackling newborn deaths.

To achieve this, he called for strengthened health systems, better-prepared delivery units, improved access to essential neonatal care, and community-level interventions that ensure babies survive and thrive beyond their first month of life.

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Speaking at JoyNews‘ national dialogue on newborn health, Dr. Nawaane stressed that “Ghana must scale up the number of fully functional NICUs with modern equipment and dedicated monitoring teams” to adequately manage complications that put newborns at risk.

According to him, the availability of more standard neonatal intensive care centres would be meaningless if families cannot afford to use them, pointing to the country’s health financing challenges as a major barrier to accessing specialised newborn care.

He disclosed that the Health Committee will, within the next month, meet with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to push for neonatal intensive care services to be included under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Dr. Nawaane questioned why NICU services remain excluded despite the fact that many related medical interventions technically fall under NHIS coverage.

He blamed the challenge on poor tariffs, which make it unprofitable for facilities to offer these services under the insurance scheme.

“The truth of the matter is that a lot of the things actually come under NHIS, but because of poor tariffs, facilities cannot run NICUs effectively under the scheme,” he said.

He stated that improving neonatal care is not only a medical necessity but also a national responsibility, as timely and affordable interventions can significantly reduce preventable newborn deaths.

Dr. Nawaane reiterated Parliament’s commitment to pursuing reforms that will expand access to quality neonatal care and protect Ghana’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

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In a statement signed by Acting Director-General Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, GHS said the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) notified the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 14, 2025, of nine confirmed cases and three deaths.

GHS emphasized that the situation is being closely monitored due to frequent travel between Ghana and Ethiopia, and that preventive measures have already been activated to protect the public.

The Ministry of Health and GHS are implementing several interventions, including increased surveillance at all points of entry, issuing alerts to regions and health facilities, activating public health emergency response structures, and engaging with One Health partners such as the Veterinary Services Directorate and Wildlife Division.

Marburg Virus Disease is a highly infectious illness caused by the Marburg virus. It spreads from animals to humans and can also be transmitted between people. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days. There is currently no vaccine, and treatment is primarily supportive.

The public is advised to report immediately to the nearest health facility if they experience symptoms such as fever, bloody diarrhoea, bleeding from the gums, bleeding into the skin or eyes, or bloody urine.

GHS also urged strict adherence to preventive measures, including frequent handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, avoiding direct contact with symptomatic individuals, and steering clear of animals showing bleeding symptoms.

The Service reassured Ghanaians that all necessary steps are being taken to safeguard the population.

Read the statement below:

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Speaking at the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) 19th Biennial Conference in Tamale on Wednesday, November 19, Mr. Akandoh said the recruitment forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen frontline healthcare delivery, particularly under the Free Primary Healthcare and Mahama Cares initiatives. He emphasised that nurses and midwives are central to the success of these programmes.

“In 2025, the Mahama administration successfully concluded the recruitment process initiated by the previous government, enrolling 13,500 nurses and midwives into the government payroll,” he stated.

“I am pleased to announce that by the end of this month, all individuals whose salary processes experienced delays will receive their first payment,” he added.

The Health Minister also highlighted that the government is considering the negotiated Conditions of Service for inclusion in the 2026 Budget, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to the welfare of health professionals.

“The government has strongly considered the negotiated Conditions of Service for implementation in the 2026 budget. This reflects our commitment to continuity, fairness, and the well-being of nurses and midwives,” he said.

Mr. Akandoh further stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between the Ministry, labour institutions, and the GRNMA to address issues such as deployment, specialist training, and workforce stability—partnerships he said are key to improving healthcare delivery nationwide.

Speaking with Adom News in Ntotroso, the minister described such practices as a major obstacle to the progress of the scheme.

She warned that henceforth, any health worker who demands illegal payments from NHIS subscribers would be dealt with ruthlessly.

The Minister emphasised that NHIS is a vital service for the people of Ahafo Region, which is why she has taken it upon herself to provide free registration to ensure residents can easily access healthcare services.

The District Chief Executive for Asutifi North, Hafiz Dauda, urged residents to report any health facility or worker demanding illegal fees.

He added that the only way to end this menace is for residents to boldly report cases to authorities for investigation and punishment of the culprits.

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