The arrival marks the fifth field service by Mercy Ships in Ghana and was welcomed at a ceremony attended by government officials, diplomats, healthcare professionals and members of the international volunteer crew.

During its stay, volunteer medical teams are expected to perform between 1,950 and 2,600 free surgeries, while an estimated 1,610 to 2,145 people will receive free dental treatment.

The mission will also provide training opportunities for between 100 and 250 Ghanaian healthcare professionals through mentoring, education and clinical placements aboard the vessel.

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh described the initiative as a continuation of Ghana’s longstanding partnership with Mercy Ships, which dates back more than three decades.

He said the programme complements Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP), launched in 2024 to improve access to safe and equitable surgical care across the country.

The Minister stressed that the Global Mercy’s visit should be viewed not simply as a humanitarian intervention but as a partnership supporting Ghana’s own healthcare priorities.

He said the lasting impact of the mission would be measured not only by the number of surgeries performed but also by its contribution to patients, healthcare professionals and local health institutions after the ship leaves Ghana.

A key component of the mission will be the HOPE Center, which provides support to patients before and after surgery while creating opportunities for Ghanaian healthcare professionals to work alongside international medical volunteers.

Mercy Ships CEO, Dr Michelle White, said returning to Tema carried special significance because the organisation’s first hospital ship, Anastasis, docked at the port more than 30 years ago.

She disclosed that Mercy Ships has trained nearly 3,000 Ghanaian healthcare professionals and performed more than 2,500 surgical procedures in Ghana since 1991.

The organisation also plans to work with the Ministry of Health, universities and professional institutions, including the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Ghana College of Nursing and Midwifery, to provide postgraduate training opportunities aboard the vessel.

Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe also welcomed the Global Mercy, assuring the crew of the full support of Ghana’s port authorities throughout its stay.

He described Ghana’s ports as an important gateway to the wider West African sub-region and wished the medical team a successful mission.

Since 1990, Mercy Ships says it has completed 47 field services across 14 African countries and delivered more than 128,800 surgical procedures worldwide.

The organisation says its work has increasingly shifted from emergency humanitarian interventions towards long-term healthcare system strengthening through training, partnerships and locally led capacity development.

The donation comprised GH¢50,000 in cash, 10,000 packs of sanitary pads, 5,000 stationery pouches, 5,000 pens and 5,000 exercise books, which are expected to support young people, particularly schoolgirls, in their educational journey.

The initiative forms part of the Administrator’s birthday celebration and reflects her commitment to giving back to the community and investing in the wellbeing and development of the younger generation.

Speaking on the motivation behind the gesture, the Administrator emphasised the importance of supporting young people with basic necessities that can have a meaningful impact on their education, confidence and overall wellbeing.

The provision of sanitary pads is particularly aimed at helping girls manage their menstrual health with dignity and reducing challenges that may interfere with their participation in school.

The educational materials, meanwhile, are intended to equip students with essential resources for learning.

The donation to Saint John the Divine Anglican Parish in Nsawam underscores the belief that birthday celebrations can extend beyond personal milestones to create opportunities to positively impact the lives of others.

The initiative is anchored on three key values: dignity, education and the future, recognising that providing young people with the resources they need today can contribute to a more confident, educated and empowered generation tomorrow.

As she celebrates her 49th birthday, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Administrator has therefore chosen a celebration centred not only on gratitude for another year of life but also on service, compassion and investment in the next generation.

The woman, identified as Linda Ampofo, a member of The Church of Pentecost in the Brofoyedru District of the Kwadaso Area, delivered the triplets on January 13, 2026, to the glory of God.

Family members and church leaders have described the birth as a miracle and an answer to years of prayer.

Mrs Ampofo had experienced several miscarriages, often losing her pregnancies around the fourth month. Her final miscarriage occurred in 2014.

Despite the challenges, she remained confident that God would intervene and bless her with a family.

Mrs Ampofo continued to serve in the church as a devoted Christian and member of The Church of Pentecost. She was known for waking up early to clean the church premises and consistently participating in church activities and prayer gatherings, particularly at the Brofoyedru Central Assembly.

As the firstborn of her parents, she said she remained focused on her faith and did not allow her situation to discourage her. She drew strength from the Word of God and the weekly morning prayers, popularly known as “Emergency”, held at the church district.

“I was born into The Church of Pentecost. I was taught that the God who worked miracles in the olden days is still working today. That kept me strong. Despite my situation, I was not discouraged. I continued to serve God and support His work while waiting for my miracle. I never stopped praying, and my pastors and some church members kept encouraging me that God would answer me one day,” she recounted.

Following years of waiting, church leaders encouraged her not to abandon her faith but to continue trusting God regardless of her age.

Mrs Ampofo said she was eventually told by a doctor that she was pregnant after she visited the hospital when she was unwell.

“We were eight women believing God for children. Seven of them have had their babies, leaving me alone. Anytime I conceived, I lost the pregnancy. That was my biggest worry. I kept asking God in prayer what sin I had committed that He could not forgive, to bless me with even one child. But my pastors told me not to give up,” she said.

She said she was stunned when she was informed that she was carrying three babies.

“Last year, when the doctor told me I was carrying three babies, I started shaking. I was very surprised. Even in my youthful years I could not carry a pregnancy, so at age 55, I doubted it. I asked the doctor, ‘With which womb am I carrying three children?’ But truly, on 13th January, God had mercy on me and blessed me with these children,” Mrs Ampofo added.

She subsequently delivered the triplets on January 13, 2026, while a naming ceremony was held at the Brofoyedru Central Auditorium on Sunday, July 6, 2026.

Together with her husband, Deacon Kwame Ampofo, church leaders, family, friends and members of The Church of Pentecost, the new mother, dressed in white, celebrated and glorified God for what she described as a remarkable blessing.

Mrs Ampofo expressed profound gratitude to God, as well as to the leadership and members of the church for their encouragement and prayers throughout her years of waiting.

She encouraged other married women, particularly Christian women experiencing similar challenges, not to lose hope but to remain steadfast in their faith.

According to her, God remains faithful and will grant them their own testimonies in His appointed time.

Her husband, Deacon Kwame Ampofo, also expressed gratitude to God for what he described as a special grace that enabled them to continue believing.

He disclosed that although he was sometimes discouraged as a married man without children, he remained confident that God would reward them for diligently seeking Him.

He added that the birth of the triplets had strengthened his faith and inspired him to serve God even better under all circumstances.

‘The Lord has done great things for us’

Delivering the sermon at the naming ceremony, the Head Pastor of the Brofoyedru Praise Temple, Joshua Appiah, preached on the theme, “The LORD has done great things for us,” taken from Psalm 126:3 and Psalm 30:5b.

He highlighted how joy at the end of every trial can redefine the faith of believers after seasons of weeping and affliction.

He encouraged the congregation to use Mrs Ampofo’s experience as a case study and continue trusting God for transformation.

He urged believers to hold firmly to their faith through the knowledge of God’s Word, which he said is effective in empowering Christians to overcome trials.

Meanwhile, the Presiding Elder of the Brofoyedru Central Assembly of The Church of Pentecost, Elder Thomas Tuffuor, urged members to remain content and refrain from moving from one prayer camp to another.

He stressed that God remains at work in the Church for the welfare of His children.

A rare pregnancy at 55

Medical professionals note that natural conception at age 55 is extremely rare, as most women at that stage have reached menopause, when the ovaries stop releasing eggs, making pregnancy without medical intervention highly unlikely.

A woman is considered to have reached menopause after going 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This milestone typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age being around 51.

The stages of menopause include perimenopause, which usually begins in a woman’s 40s as hormone levels change and periods become irregular; menopause, which is reached after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle; and post-menopause, which refers to the years following menopause.

The birth of the triplets has brought joy to the family, the church and the wider Brofoyedru community, with many describing it as a testimony of faith, patience and perseverance.

The story has also become a source of encouragement to many couples, particularly within the church, who continue to hope and pray for children.

The donation was aimed at supporting healthcare professionals and improving the quality of care provided to patients.

The medical equipment included three suction machines, three electronic scales with height measurement, two pulse oximeters, ten blood pressure machines, ten thermometers, three electronic patient monitors, 20 wheelchairs, several boxes of examination gloves, and one Cardiotocography (CTG) machine.

The equipment is expected to strengthen the hospital’s capacity to attend to patients, particularly in areas requiring regular monitoring, emergency care, maternal healthcare, and general clinical services.

Beyond the provision of the medical equipment, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang also took an additional humanitarian step by settling all outstanding inpatient bills at the facility.

The gesture is expected to bring considerable relief to patients and their families who may have faced financial difficulties in settling their hospital bills.

The intervention further underscores the MP’s longstanding interest in the welfare of constituents and the improvement of healthcare delivery within Abuakwa South.

The latest donation is not the first time Dr. Agyemang has supported the Kyebi Government Hospital on several occasions.

Interestingly, his support for the hospital predates his return to government. Even while in opposition, he continues to respond to the needs of the facility and the people who depend on it for healthcare.

Speaking during the presentation, Dr. Agyemang encouraged healthcare practitioners at the hospital to continue giving their best in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.

He urged them to treat patients with compassion, dedication, and professionalism, stressing the importance of their role in protecting lives and improving the well-being of residents within the constituency and beyond.

While expressing his commitment to supporting the hospital where possible, the MP also called on the government to provide the Kyebi Government Hospital with the necessary equipment and resources required for the facility to function effectively.

He noted that while individual interventions and donations could help address immediate needs, the sustainable development of healthcare facilities requires continuous investment by the government.

He therefore appealed for the provision of the requisite medical equipment and other resources to enable the hospital to deliver quality healthcare services to the people of Abuakwa South.

According to the MP, healthcare workers can only perform optimally when they have access to the appropriate tools and equipment needed for their work.

The Chief Superintendent of the Kyebi Government Hospital, Dr. Isaac Antwi expressed appreciation to Dr. Agyemang for the gesture and his continued support for the facility.

He acknowledged the importance of the equipment to the facility and expressed gratitude for the support extended to both healthcare workers and patients.

The settlement of the outstanding inpatient bills was particularly significant, as it provided immediate relief to patients who may otherwise have struggled to meet their financial obligations before leaving the hospital.

In attendance was the Abuakwa South NPP Constituency Chairman, Mr. Otis Asante, together with members of the Executive Committee.

Their presence highlighted the collective interest of the constituency leadership in initiatives that seek to improve the welfare of residents and strengthen essential social services such as healthcare.

Speaking at the launch in Accra, Dr. Kaba Akoriye explained that the document is intended to address recommendations aimed at advancing Ghana’s health security and improving coordination during emergencies.

He said the initiative would provide a structured framework for relevant institutions to work together and mobilise the necessary resources when the country is confronted with public health emergencies.

The Director-General emphasised the importance of collaboration among institutions in ensuring an effective and coordinated response to emergencies, while maintaining the respective mandates and responsibilities of each organisation.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Kwame Amponsah Achiano, said the GHS is committed to working with its stakeholders to translate the document into action.

He said the Service would collaborate with relevant partners to ensure the effective implementation of the strategic document and strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity. The launch forms part of efforts to improve Ghana’s health security and ensure that the country is better prepared to prevent, detect

He explained that floodwaters often pass through highly contaminated areas, including public toilets, septic tanks, drains, dumping sites and other waste facilities, before spreading into communities and public spaces to pose health risks.

Mr. Donkor made the statement while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an extensive disinfection and disinfestation exercise embarked upon by waste management giant, Zoomlion Ghana Limited at Accra New Town. The operation is being carried out in partnership with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra. 

The operation is part of a broader disinfection and disinfestation programme being undertaken across Greater Accra, following the recent flooding, with the aim of reducing the presence and spread of disease-causing organisms, flies, mosquitoes and other public health threats.

He contended that flood runoff should not be considered ordinary wastewater because it could contain a high concentration of pollutants and pathogenic organisms capable of posing serious risks to public health.

At the Five-Five Public Toilet at Accra Newtown, he said the exercise had therefore come at an important time to deal with harmful microorganisms that may have been carried along by floodwaters.

“This is to make sure that we take care of all pathogenic organisms that came along with the flooding that we had a couple of weeks ago,” he said.

Mr. Donkor acknowledged that the operation could have been undertaken earlier, but noted that its implementation at this stage remained important in protecting communities from the potential health consequences of the floods.

“I must admit that even though it is late, better late than never,” he said, while expressing appreciation to the Presidency and Zoomlion Ghana Limited for supporting the intervention.

He also commended media organisations for supporting efforts aimed at promoting sanitation, public health and environmental safety, noting that maintaining acceptable public health standards required collective responsibility.

The Zoomlion teams deployed covered a number of public and institutional facilities within parts of the Greater Accra Region, including the Five Five Public Toilet at Accra Newtown, facilities serving the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana Ambulance Service and Ghana Education Service (GES) at Mamobi, as well as selected dumping sites and other sanitation facilities.

Other areas that benefited included the La Bawleshie dumpsite, the Gbegbeyisie cluster of schools at Dansoman, Glefe unauthorized dumpsite and parts of Sowutuom in the Ga Central Municipality.

Mr. Donkor entreated residents and managers of public facilities to complement such interventions by maintaining proper sanitation practices and ensuring that waste and other materials that could create breeding grounds for disease vectors are properly managed.

A few weeks later, it is darker.

Then the questions begin.

Is this normal? Does it mean I’m having a boy? Is my baby taking all my melanin? Will the line disappear after delivery?

For many expectant mothers, the appearance of this dark line can be surprising, especially for women who have never experienced it before.

But that mysterious pregnancy mark has a name: linea nigra.

And while social media is full of theories about what it means, the science behind it is much less dramatic and actually quite fascinating.

From a Faint Line to a Dark Pregnancy Mark

Before pregnancy, most women already have a faint vertical line running down the abdomen. It is called the linea alba, which means “white line.”

It is usually barely noticeable because it has little pigmentation.

During pregnancy, however, hormonal changes can stimulate the skin’s pigment-producing cells, known as melanocytes.

As melanin production increases, the previously faint linea alba can become darker and more visible.

That is when it becomes known as the linea nigra, or “black line.”

The line may run from the belly button down towards the pubic area. In some women, it can extend upwards towards the chest.

And no two women necessarily experience it in the same way.

For some, it is barely visible. For others, it can become quite dark and prominent.

So, Why Does Pregnancy Make the Skin Darker?

Pregnancy brings a major hormonal shift.

Levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone rise, and these changes can influence melanin production and distribution in the skin.

That is also why some pregnant women notice darker nipples, darker patches on the face or other areas of increased pigmentation.

So when someone says, “You’ve become darker because you’re pregnant,” there is a little truth behind the observation, but it is not because the baby is somehow “taking” or “needing” the mother’s melanin.

Rather, pregnancy hormones can stimulate melanocytes, resulting in increased pigmentation.

Does the Dark Line Mean the Baby Is a Boy or a Girl?

Now, this is where things get interesting.

For generations, people have had their own theories about the linea nigra.

One popular belief says that if the line stops at the belly button, the baby is a girl.

If it continues above the belly button towards the chest, the baby is supposedly a boy.

Sounds convincing, right?

Not quite.

There is no scientific evidence that the length, darkness or appearance of the linea nigra can predict a baby’s sex.

So if someone confidently looks at your belly and announces, “Definitely a boy!” based on the line, you may want to smile but wait for the medical confirmation.

Is the Line a Sign That Something Is Wrong?

For most pregnant women, no.

The linea nigra is generally a normal and harmless consequence of pregnancy-related pigmentation changes.

It does not usually cause pain or require treatment.

It can become more noticeable as pregnancy progresses, particularly around the second trimester and beyond.

And for many women, it gradually fades after childbirth as hormone levels return towards their pre-pregnancy state.

The timing varies from person to person.

Can You Stop It From Appearing?

Not really.

The linea nigra is a natural pregnancy change, so there is no guaranteed way to prevent it.

However, increased exposure to sunlight can make pigmentation more noticeable, so protecting the skin from excessive sun exposure may help prevent it from becoming darker.

Most importantly, there is no need to scrub, bleach or use harsh products in an attempt to remove it.

Your belly is not dirty.

It is simply responding to the remarkable changes happening inside your body.

‘My Body Is Drawing a Line for the Baby’

Some of the conversations around pregnancy pigmentation are rooted in curiosity, cultural beliefs and personal experiences.

Women often share stories about suddenly noticing changes in their skin, sometimes wondering whether the changes are connected to their baby’s development.

One popular social media explanation even suggests that the body is “preparing for life” by producing more melanin.

While that makes for an interesting way of describing the experience, the scientific explanation is simpler: pregnancy hormones influence melanocytes, leading to increased pigmentation in certain areas of the skin.

The body is certainly preparing for new life, but the dark line itself is not a biological signal telling the body to “create life.”

More Than Just a Line

Pregnancy can transform a woman’s body in ways she may never have anticipated.

The belly grows. The breasts change. The skin may stretch and darken. Veins can become more visible. Hair and nails may change. And suddenly, a line that was almost invisible for years becomes one of the most noticeable features on the stomach.

For some mothers, it may feel strange at first.

For others, it becomes a beautiful reminder of the journey to motherhood.

And yes, sometimes it becomes a conversation starter.

“What’s that line?”

“Is it a boy?”

“Does it mean something?”

The answer is simple: it is called the linea nigra, and in most cases, it is just one of the many normal changes that can accompany pregnancy.

So, dear mama, if you look down and see that dark line stretching across your beautiful bump, don’t panic.

It is not a curse.

It is not a warning sign.

And it certainly cannot tell you whether you are carrying a boy or a girl.

It is simply your skin responding to the extraordinary hormonal journey of pregnancy.

And when the baby finally arrives, that once-dark line will slowly begin to fade, leaving behind more than just a disappearing mark a beautiful reminder of the incredible journey your body took to bring new life into the world.

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He said chemical drift from pesticide spraying was contributing to air pollution and putting farmers’ health at risk.

According to him, prolonged exposure to pesticides could cause respiratory illnesses and other serious health conditions, including cancer, heart disease and cognitive problems.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides in Ghana’s agriculture sector, where studies have found that many farmers spray chemicals without adequate protective gear.

Speaking to Adom News on air pollution and rising deaths in Ghana, Mr Mensah said chemicals released into the atmosphere during pesticide spraying could have serious health consequences for farmers and communities living around farmlands.

“Chemicals from pesticide sprays enter the air and cause air pollution, which can affect farmers’ health through cancer and heart illness. This can kill slowly,” he said.

He cautioned that the health risks extend beyond farmers, noting that pesticide runoff could contaminate nearby water bodies and expose surrounding communities to harmful chemicals.

“The air contamination in the area where the farm is located is dangerous. The river closer to the farm gets contaminated and people will fetch the water and drink, which is not good,” he added.

According to Mr Mensah, a preliminary study conducted by one of his students on the Ankobra River detected pesticide-related chemicals in the water.

He urged farmers to wear appropriate protective equipment whenever they spray crops, particularly cocoa farms, warning that prolonged exposure could have long-term effects on their health.

“Farmers should put on protective equipment before spraying crops or cocoa farmlands. Exposure to pesticides over the years will give them cancer and affect their DNA. The cognitive effects are equally dangerous. Pesticides should be used well,” he cautioned.

A 2020 study of vegetable farmers in the Central Region also linked pesticide exposure to symptoms including headaches, coughing, skin rashes and dizziness, while noting that many farmers lacked adequate protective equipment.

Former Secretary of the Peasant Farmers Association, Charles Nyaaba, has also urged farmers to adopt safer spraying practices.

“Farmers should spray early in the morning or late evening when there is less wind. Avoid spraying against the wind, and always use nose masks, gloves and boots,” he advised.

Mr Nyaaba said he had personally experienced the effects of pesticide exposure.

“I have personally applied pesticides and I felt headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. I have also seen some farmers who have used pesticides for years develop several cancers, especially from inhaling the chemicals. Eye irritation is also common,” he noted.

He stressed that chemical pollution from farms could affect entire communities, not just farmers.

“The air pollution may not affect only the farmer but community members around,” he said.

Some farmers in the Volta Region have similarly reported headaches and skin problems associated with spraying pesticides without nose masks.

At Ashaiman, farmers said the unprotected use of weedicide has also resulted in cases of poisoning, with young people and the elderly reportedly among those affected.

A farmer, Emmanuel Asare, said many farmers avoid protective clothing because of the heat generated while working.

“Most farmers do not want to wear the protective gear because it generates a lot of heat. But that is the best for spraying. We are calling on government to provide us with protective jackets, gloves, face masks and drones for spraying. They should also give us more education on the use of pesticides and Weedicide,” he said.

Chairman of the Ashaiman Left Bank Rural Farmers Association, Stephen Kadre, also appealed for government support.

“We are about 130 farmers working on 200 acres. Many of us do not have protective gear. Government should provide us with drones to do our chemical spraying. It will help us use the chemicals wisely so that consumers will not be affected,” he appealed.

Mr Mensah and Mr Nyaaba are calling for increased training and public education on the safe handling and application of pesticides to protect farmers while sustaining agricultural production.

With air pollution estimated to contribute to thousands of premature deaths in Ghana annually, health experts say reducing exposure to pesticide chemicals and promoting safer spraying practices should be treated as a public health priority.

This story was a collaboration with New Narratives, with funding from the Clean Air Fund. The donor had no say in the story’s content.

She disclosed this during a presentation at the 3rd Volta Regional Coordinating Council meeting held at the Residence Conference Room on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

According to her, some of the patients are receiving treatment at the Ho Teaching Hospital, while others have been referred to specialised health facilities in Accra and Kumasi due to the unavailability of certain services in the region.

She explained that one child has been referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), while another is receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Another child diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma has also been referred to Korle Bu for specialised treatment.

Ms Daitey added that patients diagnosed with breast cancer and cervical cancer are currently being managed at the Ho Teaching Hospital.

She said the referrals are part of efforts by Mahama Care to ensure beneficiaries receive appropriate specialised treatment, regardless of where the required service is available.

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is a government-supported health intervention designed to provide financial assistance for the treatment of selected serious medical conditions for eligible beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has commended the Mahama Care programme for supporting residents suffering from non-communicable diseases.

Speaking to Adom News Correspondent Odehyeba Owusu Job, Mr Gunu said the programme was helping families who would otherwise struggle to meet the cost of medical treatment.

He said reports received by the RCC indicated that beneficiaries were receiving the needed support, easing the financial burden associated with their treatment.

Mr Gunu also urged residents to maintain peace and unity, stressing that stability was crucial to attracting investment and accelerating development in the Volta Region.

The gaps are particularly stark when it comes to sanitation. In Guinea-Bissau, only 7% of health care facilities met the basic sanitation standard in 2025. The figure was 11% in Burkina Faso, 12% in Mali, and 16% in Ghana. Nigeria recorded 29%, while Senegal stood at 35%.

The findings are contained in Progress on Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Environmental Cleaning and Waste Management in Health Care Facilities 2015–2025, produced by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme.

They reveal a problem that goes beyond whether a hospital or clinic simply has a toilet.

To meet the basic sanitation standard, a health facility needs improved and usable toilets. There must be a toilet for staff, separate facilities for men and women with provision for menstrual hygiene, and a toilet that can be used by people with limited mobility.

The report says menstrual hygiene facilities and access for people with limited mobility were often among the factors preventing health facilities from meeting the standard.

For patients, that can make something as ordinary as using a toilet while receiving medical care a question of privacy, accessibility, and dignity.

Ghana below the regional level

In Ghana, only 16% of its health facilities met the basic sanitation standard in 2025. That means roughly five in every six fell short of the full standard. The figure is also below the 23% recorded for sub-Saharan Africa and well below the 40% global level.

But Ghana is not the lowest among the West African countries for which estimates are available.

Basic sanitation coverage was 7% in Guinea-Bissau, 11% in Burkina Faso and 12% in Mali. Côte d’Ivoire recorded 21%, while Nigeria and Senegal performed better at 29% and 35% respectively.

The differences are substantial, but even some of the better-performing countries remain far from universal coverage.

Some facilities still have no water

Sanitation is only part of the problem. The assessment also found health facilities operating without basic water services in several West African countries.

In Ghana, 65% of health facilities had basic water services in 2025, meaning water from an improved source was available on the premises. Senegal recorded 75%, while Sierra Leone stood at 64%.

But the report identifies several West African countries where at least one in 10 health facilities had no water service. They include Liberia, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau.

The situation was particularly difficult in Guinea, where more than half of health facilities had no water service.

Water in a health facility is needed for handwashing, cleaning, sanitation and other routine infection-prevention measures.

There are also gaps in something health workers and patients are routinely told is one of the simplest ways to prevent infection, washing their hands.

WHO and UNICEF classify a health facility as having a basic hygiene service when functional hand-hygiene facilities are available at points of care, with water and soap available at toilets.

In Ghana, 54% of health facilities met that standard. But the report identifies Nigeria, Niger, and Côte d’Ivoire among countries where at least one in 10 health facilities had no hygiene service, meaning hand-hygiene facilities were missing both at points of care and near toilets.

Across sub-Saharan Africa, only 34% of health facilities met the basic hygiene standard in 2025.

What happens to medical waste?

Another problem begins after treatment has been given. Hospitals and clinics generate used needles, contaminated materials, and other potentially infectious waste that must be separated, treated, and disposed of safely.

Across sub-Saharan Africa, only 24% of health facilities met the basic waste-management standard in 2025.

Several West African countries appear among those with low coverage, including Niger, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Ghana. In Ghana, the figure was 27%, a little more than one in four facilities.

The report also names Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger and Nigeria among countries where more recent surveys produced lower estimates of waste-management coverage.

WHO and UNICEF caution that this does not necessarily mean conditions have become worse. Better data collection may now be revealing gaps that previous monitoring systems did not fully capture.

Beyond the numbers

The report does not provide a single figure for West Africa as a region, so the country estimates cannot simply be combined into a regional average. But taken together, they show how uneven the provision of basic services remains across health facilities in the region.

A country may perform relatively well on water but poorly on sanitation. Another may have handwashing facilities in most hospitals, but struggle with the safe disposal of medical waste.

And behind each percentage is an everyday issue for people seeking or providing health care: Is there running water? Is there a usable toilet? Can a patient with limited mobility use it? Can a health worker wash their hands where care is being provided? And can a used needle be disposed of safely?

Globally, 85% of health facilities had basic water services in 2025. But coverage fell to 72% for hygiene, 71% for waste management, and just 40% for sanitation.

For many West African health facilities captured in the WHO/UNICEF assessment, the distance from those global levels remains substantial.

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Tatale Sanguli officials destroy expired food products, warn traders

The exercise formed part of efforts by the district authorities to protect consumers and ensure that food products available on the market meet required health and safety standards.

Officials inspected a number of shops and storage facilities during the operation and removed several expired items from circulation.

The authorities said the exercise would help prevent residents from consuming products that could pose health risks.

Traders and shop owners have consequently been cautioned to regularly check the expiry dates of products in their possession and ensure that expired items are not offered for sale.

Residents have also been encouraged to support the enforcement efforts by reporting traders suspected of selling expired or unsafe food products to the relevant authorities.

Officials believe increased public cooperation will help strengthen food safety and protect public health in the district.

Speaking to Channel One TV during the disposal of the confiscated products, Head of the Environmental and Sanitation Unit, Nasigri Abukari, said protecting public health remained the primary objective of the exercise.

“Public health is our major concern and as practitioners we are to ensure that people consume wholesome food from the market,” he said.

Mr Abukari warned traders that offenders would face the appropriate sanctions, adding: “We are serving a notice to everybody within the district that we are coming and once we find you selling expired products, we will ensure the law comes after you.”

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Taofeek Adeleye, Senior Manager for Prevention Programmes at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, gave the advice during a national training for media personnel on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

Adeleye warned against using substances such as palm oil, vegetable oil and other household products as alternatives to purpose-made lubricants.

He advised sexually active people who require lubrication to opt for water-based lubricants, which he said are more appropriate.

The medical practitioner also offered guidance on situations where a person does not have access to a lubricant, saying personal saliva could be considered rather than using saliva from another person.

He further encouraged sexually active individuals to use condoms that fit properly, stressing the importance of choosing the appropriate size.

His comments formed part of discussions around HIV prevention and safer sexual practices, as health professionals continue to encourage the public to make informed choices that reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Some of the individuals at the facility, according to Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority, Dr Eugene Kobla Dordoye, believe they are receiving spiritual treatment from the centre’s leader.

He said the facility was previously licensed to operate.

“We wanted to close it down. He has a licence, but it has expired,” he said, while speaking at the 5th Graduation Ceremony of the Ghana Christian University College.

Dr Dordoye said the Authority is particularly concerned about the conditions at the centre, including reports that some of the people supposedly receiving treatment are being kept in chains.

He questioned how health professionals could effectively provide treatment to people who remain restrained.

He also cautioned the public against prescribing or administering medication to people with mental health conditions without proper medical guidance.

The Mental Health Authority’s move comes amid concerns over the treatment and conditions of people receiving care at unlicensed or unregulated spiritual healing facilities.

In a statement issued to mark World Mosquito Day 2026, the network said the fight against mosquito-borne diseases was far from over, even though science had transformed the world’s ability to prevent and control illnesses such as malaria.

Citing the World Health Organisation (WHO), AMMREN said the African region accounted for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of malaria deaths in 2024, with children under five remaining among the worst affected.

It added that mosquitoes also spread other diseases, including dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya, making their control central to protecting public health on the continent.

The network said several factors continued to threaten progress.

“Insecticide resistance, changing environmental and climatic conditions and the spread of invasive mosquito species are creating new concerns for disease-control programmes. At the same time, new tools, including malaria vaccines and improved vector-control interventions, are changing what is possible in the fight against malaria.”

AMMREN stressed that mosquito-borne diseases could not be treated as a problem of the past. It said Africa needed to strengthen prevention, embrace scientific advances and ensure accurate, accessible information reached every community, adding that knowledge had to translate into action, and action into lives protected.

Read the full statement below

The Malaria Atlas Project has estimated that malaria control efforts have helped prevent more than 1.22 billion cases and 3.5 million deaths across Africa since 2000. Its analysis found that insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) were the biggest contributor to this progress, accounting for 72percent of the cases prevented. This is significant progress. Malaria prevention tools, including ITNs and other vector-control interventions, have helped protect millions of people. New tools, including dual-active ITNs and malaria vaccines, are further expanding the ways we can protect communities.

However, we cannot take their effectiveness for granted. ITNs only work if mosquitoes continue to respond to the insecticides used within them.

Mosquitoes evolve quickly. They develop resistance to insecticides and change their behaviour. These changes influence how well malaria prevention tools perform. Continued monitoring and research is essential to stay ahead of the mosquito, ensuring existing and next-generation ITNs perform as mosquito populations evolve.

What most people never see is the science that sits behind an ITN. Before a mosquito net reaches a family, it has undergone years of research, rigorous testing, and quality assurance.

At the Vestergaard–Noguchi Vector Labs (VNVL) in Ghana, my colleagues and I work with mosquito populations with different insecticide-resistance characteristics. We maintain and carefully monitor the mosquito colonies and use them to conduct standardized laboratory testing of Vestergaard ITNs, including PermaNet Dual, a latest generation ITN. This work supports quality assurance and product development by generating reliable evidence on how our nets perform against the mosquito populations they are designed to target. Most of this work happens far from public view, yet it plays an important role in ensuring that our ITNs perform as expected.

This year we will mark 15 years of partnership between Vestergaard and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, that has helped to build and sustain technical capacity for high-quality entomological testing in Ghana. Alongside laboratory infrastructure, the collaboration has supported the development of specialized expertise in mosquito rearing, laboratory testing of ITNs and insecticide resistance monitoring.

Last year, this commitment was reinforced through a Memorandum of Understanding between Vestergaard, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Ghana National Malaria Elimination Program, further strengthening public-private partnerships towards Ghana’s Malaria elimination target.  

Every mosquito we study and every net we evaluate serves a purpose beyond the laboratory: helping ensure that the products people rely on continue to perform as intended. On World Mosquito Day, I am reminded that the fight against malaria is an all-hands-on-deck situation, and my hands are contributing. Yet more is required, for it is not only about the tools we use, but also protecting people from a disease that synchronizes well in evolution and continues to threaten millions of lives. The better we understand the mosquito and how it changes, the more equipped we are to protect the communities most at risk.

The proposed collaboration is aimed at reducing the cost of treatment for thousands of Ghanaians, while cutting the country’s reliance on expensive imported medicines.

Administrator of the GMTF, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, led a team from the Trust Fund on a working visit to Atlantic Lifesciences Limited to inspect its facilities, assess its manufacturing capabilities and identify potential areas of collaboration.

The visit followed an earlier engagement between Atlantic Lifesciences, its partners and the GMTF, where discussions were held on how the private pharmaceutical sector could support the Trust Fund’s mandate.

A key focus of the discussions was how Ghana could make life-saving medicines more affordable while reducing the financial burden associated with imported drugs.

Among the interventions being considered is the local production of cardiovascular medicines, anti-cancer drugs and immunosuppressants to support the next phase of the GMTF’s services package.

The Trust Fund believes local production could help reduce import-related costs, improve the availability of essential medicines and allow it to extend support to more patients battling chronic and life-threatening diseases.

The initiative also aligns with government’s broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and build a more resilient and self-sufficient healthcare system.

Speaking during the engagement, Dhanankay Tripathi, CEO of PharmaNova Ltd., stressed the need to identify gaps in Ghana’s healthcare system and develop practical solutions that directly address patients’ needs.

Atlantic Lifesciences, in collaboration with the PharmaNova Group, is seeking to contribute to healthcare delivery by identifying critical gaps and developing solutions to address them.

The visit allowed the GMTF team to gain first-hand insight into the company’s operations and manufacturing capabilities, while also giving Atlantic Lifesciences and its partners a better understanding of the Trust Fund’s mandate and the healthcare needs of the patients it supports.

Ms Darko-Opoku said discussions between the two sides would continue, with emphasis on affordable access to medicines, local pharmaceutical production and other sustainable interventions that could help reduce the cost of specialised healthcare.

The proposed partnership forms part of the GMTF’s broader strategy of working with pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers and other organisations to mobilise expertise, resources and innovative solutions in the fight against chronic diseases.

The Trust Fund says its ultimate goal is to reduce treatment costs, expand access to life-saving medicines and ensure that every contribution it receives can support more patients.

By strengthening local pharmaceutical production and securing medicines at competitive prices, the GMTF believes the initiative could benefit patients while contributing to the development of a stronger and more affordable healthcare system in Ghana.

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He said the physical, mental and general wellbeing of the youth must remain a central consideration in policies and programmes designed to prepare them for the future.

Speaking at the National Youth Forum organised by the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Wednesday, August 19, Mr Ayariga said Ghana’s development could not be separated from the wellbeing of its young population.

“Youth health and wellbeing must remain central to the development of the country,” he said.

According to him, a healthy and empowered youth population would be better positioned to acquire skills, pursue education, engage in entrepreneurship and contribute productively to national development.

He said youth empowerment must therefore adopt a holistic approach that addresses not only employment and skills development but also the broader social and personal needs of young people.

Mr Ayariga said sustained investment in the youth would help build a more resilient generation capable of driving Ghana’s development in the years ahead.

Speaking at the National Mining Dialogue 2026 in Accra under the theme, “Rethinking the Social License to Operate,” Ms Darko-Opoku told mining executives, investors and policymakers that the true wealth of Ghana is not buried beneath the soil but found in its people.

“You do not extract value from the soil. You extract value through people.”

With this message, Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, challenged Ghana’s mining industry to look beyond traditional corporate social responsibility projects and invest in healthcare systems that protect the lives of people in mining communities.

Speaking at the National Mining Dialogue 2026 in Accra under the theme, “Rethinking the Social License to Operate,” Ms Darko-Opoku warned that when the health of a nation deteriorates, every sector, including mining, ultimately suffers.

‘At 2am, money cannot buy time’

In one of the most striking moments of her address, the GMTF Administrator challenged the assumption that wealth can shield people from Ghana’s healthcare challenges.

She painted the picture of a sudden heart attack in the middle of the night, when there may be no time to fly a patient to London or Johannesburg, regardless of how wealthy the family may be.

“At 2:00 AM, money cannot buy time. In a medical emergency, your wealth does not save you; the infrastructure nearest to you does.”

Her message was simple but unsettling: Ghana’s healthcare challenges do not discriminate between the rich and the poor.

She recounted the devastating reality of families who spend decades building modest lives, only for a diagnosis such as prostate cancer to wipe out their savings, force them to sell property and leave them borrowing desperately to keep a loved one alive.

For many families outside Accra, the situation becomes even more painful when they are told that the equipment needed to save their loved one simply does not exist nearby.

By the time they travel across regions in search of treatment, she said, “the family is financially ruined, the patient is significantly weaker, and the cost of treatment has doubled.”

‘A healthcare gap that should awaken every leader’

Obuobia Darko-Opoku revealed worrying findings from a nationwide needs assessment conducted by the Ghana Medical Trust Fund across teaching, regional and referral hospitals.

According to the assessment, Ghana’s public tertiary health sector had only two functional MRI machines, five mammogram machines and two public radiotherapy machines for cancer treatment.

The entire northern sector, she added, had only two practising cardiologists without the appropriate equipment, serving millions of people.

The consequences, she said, were measured not merely in statistics but in human lives.

Mining companies must leave more than pits behind

Turning directly to Ghana’s mining industry, the GMTF Administrator challenged companies to move beyond the traditional definition of Corporate Social Responsibility.

For decades, she noted, mining companies had demonstrated their commitment to host communities through projects such as schools, boreholes and roads.

But the time had come, she argued, to raise the bar.

“A true Social License cannot simply mean, ‘The community tolerates our presence.’ It must mean, ‘Because this company operates here, our people live longer, healthier lives.’”

She reminded mining companies that their host communities were more than coordinates on concession maps; they were families whose lives could be transformed by access to specialised healthcare.

She asked industry leaders to imagine a mining company being able to tell a community:

“We didn’t just extract gold from your soil. We built the regional Cancer Centre that saved your mother. We installed the Cath Lab that saved your chief.”

“That is not CSR,” she declared. “That is an unshakable, generational Social License.”

The Administrator invited mining companies to partner with the GMTF to map healthcare needs in their operational areas, co-invest in urgently needed medical equipment, sponsor the training of specialists and build healthcare infrastructure capable of serving communities long after mining operations have ended.

‘Ghana’s greatest resource is the Ghanaian’

Ms Darko-Opoku ended with an emotional reminder to corporate leaders about the legacy they will ultimately leave behind.

Years from now, she said, history may not remember how many ounces of gold they extracted, their quarterly profits or the contracts they signed.

But families will remember the hospital that saved a father.

A child will remember the equipment that helped a mother survive cancer.

A doctor will remember the company that provided the tools to save a life.

And communities will remember businesses that stood with them when survival was on the line.

Then came her defining message:

“The gold beneath our soil is valuable. But Ghana’s greatest resource has never been underground. Ghana’s greatest resource is the Ghanaian.”

She called on corporate Ghana, particularly the mining sector, to help build a new legacy—one measured not only in gold extracted from the earth, but in lives saved above it.

“Let us rethink the Social License. Let us build a legacy of health, dignity and survival. Because when life is on the line, none of us can stand alone.”

The Council said it uncovered the practice during its ongoing nationwide compliance and inspection exercise, with some facilities allegedly assigning individuals without the required qualifications, registration and licences to handle patients’ medical records and confidential health information.

According to the AHPC, some of these individuals are employed under the designation of receptionists but are assigned responsibilities that are legally reserved for qualified and licensed Health Information Officers, Medical Records Technicians and Medical Records Assistants.

The Council described the practice as unlawful and a breach of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857).

It said the management of patients’ health information is a regulated professional function that must only be performed by duly qualified, registered and licensed practitioners.

The AHPC warned that allowing unqualified persons to handle such responsibilities could compromise patient confidentiality, undermine professional standards and pose risks to the quality and integrity of healthcare delivery.

The Council has therefore directed owners and managers of health facilities, hospital administrators and Human Resource departments to immediately discontinue the practice and ensure that all Health Information and Medical Records functions are handled exclusively by qualified professionals recognised under the law.

It further warned that compliance and enforcement exercises would continue across the country.

Health facilities found engaging unqualified persons to perform regulated Health Information and Medical Records duties will face sanctions in accordance with the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857).

The AHPC urged healthcare providers to comply with the law, respect the professional mandate of licensed practitioners and work with the Council to protect patient safety, confidentiality and standards in healthcare delivery.

The warning came during the 10th edition of the Loud and Green X Space, a discussion themed “Galamsey: The Health and Livelihood Crisis,” where health professionals painted a grim picture of what continued inaction could mean for Ghanaians living near mining sites.

Public health researcher Dr Floret Maame Owusu told the forum that the danger with galamsey lies in what cannot immediately be seen. Toxic byproducts released during illegal mining, she explained, can alter cells at a genetic level leading to dire consequences in future.

“From my perspective as a medical doctor, the thing about galamsey is that these chemicals that are released from galamsey result in a lot of mutations which eventually lead to cancers.”

Dr Owusu added that unborn children are among the most vulnerable.

“For pregnant women who are exposed to these chemicals, they end up having children who have some developmental issues.

“In the next five years, if we do not deal with this, we’ll have a generation of children who will be born with a lot of developmental issues in areas where these galamseys are being operated,” he said.

Mercury, cyanide, lead and arsenic were flagged as the chief culprits, substances that experts say don’t need to build up in large quantities to do serious harm. Even minor exposure, Dr Owusu noted, can carry outsized health risks.

Beyond individual illness, the ripple effects could hit Ghana’s health system directly, straining resources in communities where many residents already struggle to afford specialised care.

Researcher Dr Forgive Awo Norvivor pushed back on the five-year timeline altogether, suggesting the crisis may already be closer than experts think.

“Because as we speak, about 60 percent of rural populations still do not have access to clean water.”

Both experts urged government and stakeholders to stop treating galamsey purely as an environmental or economic issue and start responding to it as an active health threat, one requiring prevention, monitoring and treatment systems built specifically for exposed communities, not just enforcement against miners.

According to the Chief, the poor state of the road has become a major concern for residents and motorists in the area, particularly due to the excessive dust generated by vehicles.

Nana Oteng Krankye II said the dust poses health concerns for community members, while the poor condition of the road is also contributing to frequent vehicle damage to vehicles.

The Chief’s appeal comes amid growing frustration among residents who are demanding urgent action to improve the road and ease the difficulties faced by commuters.

Meanwhile, Nana Kwadwo Sarpong, Tipon Kwadwo Kromhene and Committee Member, and Nana Odei Leebi, Brekusu Asona Gyasihene and Apesemakahene, have expressed disappointment in the Members of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya and Akuapem for allegedly failing to receive their petition.

Speaking to Adom News after a demonstration over the bad road, the traditional leaders said the MPs’ failure to receive their petition was disrespectful to the community and its concerns.

They are therefore calling on the government and relevant authorities to take immediate steps to fix the road, which they say has become a serious burden on residents, motorists and businesses in the area.

The traditional leaders maintain that the road requires urgent attention to protect the health of residents, reduce vehicle damage and improve transportation within the communities.

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The workers, dressed in black and red, staged the protest to express their displeasure over claims that a private developer has taken over part of the health facility’s land to undertake a hotel project.

Speaking to Adom News correspondent Isaac K. Normanyo, the Adansi North District Health Promotion Officer, Eric Karkari, said the Directorate was informed through a letter from traditional leaders that a portion of the land had been leased to a private developer.

According to him, the developer has already commenced work on the site, raising concerns about the potential impact on the operations of the health facility.

Mr Karkari said the alleged encroachment poses risks to staff and clients, prompting the workers to embark on the sit-down strike.

He warned that the workers would maintain their action if authorities failed to address their concerns.

Meanwhile, the Adansi North District Presiding Member, Akwasi Afoakwah, has acknowledged the concerns raised by the health workers.

He assured the staff that the matter would be taken up with the relevant authorities to help resolve the dispute and restore normal operations at the facility.

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The initiative was launched under the theme, “Removing Financial Barriers Towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage.”

The programme is expected to remove financial barriers that prevent some residents, particularly those in underserved communities, from seeking timely medical attention.

The launch brought together health officials, local government authorities, traditional and community leaders, as well as residents, who welcomed the initiative as an important step towards improving healthcare delivery in the municipality.

Speaking at the event, Betty B. Sam, a member of the Western Regional Health Committee, commended the Jomoro Municipal Assembly for introducing the programme.

She said accessible primary healthcare was essential to ensuring that residents received early treatment and preventing minor health conditions from developing into serious illnesses.

Madam Sam urged residents to take advantage of the programme and make healthcare a priority, while encouraging health workers to continue providing quality and respectful services to beneficiaries.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Jomoro, Boadi Benedict, said the Assembly was committed to improving healthcare delivery in the municipality.

According to him, the initiative forms part of efforts to ensure that residents, irrespective of their financial circumstances, have access to basic healthcare services.

He said the Assembly would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the programme and ensure that it achieves its intended purpose.

The MCE also called on residents to support the initiative by making proper use of the services and cooperating with health authorities.

The event was chaired by Sylvester Daddie, a former District Chief Executive of the Jomoro Assembly.

In his remarks, Mr Daddie described the launch as a significant milestone for the municipality and praised the Assembly and health authorities for prioritising the welfare of residents.

He encouraged traditional leaders, community members and other stakeholders to support the programme to ensure its sustainability.

The Jomoro Municipal Health Director, Gabriel Yengliereh, highlighted the importance of primary healthcare in disease prevention, early detection and treatment.

He explained that the programme would bring essential healthcare services closer to residents and encourage them to seek medical attention before their conditions became severe.

Mr Yengliereh also called on health workers and community members to work together to ensure the success of the initiative.

The launch was attended by stakeholders and residents from communities across the Jomoro Municipality.

The free primary healthcare programme is expected to improve access to healthcare, promote early treatment of diseases and contribute to better health outcomes, particularly for residents who face financial difficulties in accessing basic medical services.

The Jomoro Municipal Assembly said it remains committed to working with health authorities and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve the quality of life of residents.

The Member of Parliament for Jomoro and Deputy Transport Minister, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, was unable to attend the launch but was represented by her Personal Assistant, Godwin Alueke, and the Jomoro NDC Constituency Youth Organiser, Ernest Anaman.

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Yet, for too many women in our dear country, pregnancy and childbirth remain dangerous journeys. Preventable complications continue to claim lives despite significant improvements in access to healthcare and antenatal services.

Ghana has made important progress, reducing its maternal mortality ratio from 943 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 234 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the latest estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) and partner agencies.

However, this remains far above the Sustainable Development Goal and WHO benchmark of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.

While these may sound like the usual statistics, they represent the lives of mothers, children and families, and futures forever changed.

President Mahama’s charge

This sad reality is driving a renewed national effort led by President John Dramani Mahama through the Ministry of Health to address maternal mortality and save the lives of mothers.

President Mahama, as a father and leader of our nation, has been unequivocal on this issue: no woman should lose her life while giving life.

That conviction is driving the government’s determination to make the reduction of maternal mortality a national priority. For us at the Ministry of Health, we see it as a moral imperative and a shared national responsibility.

As a medical doctor, a woman, a mother and Deputy Minister for Health, I share that commitment. Together with my Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, we are determined to work with healthcare professionals, traditional leaders, development partners and communities to ensure that every pregnant woman has access to timely, quality and life-saving care.

The Maternal Mortality Action and Response Plan (MMARP) is an initiative by the Ministry of Health aimed at accelerating the reduction of maternal deaths and ensuring that every woman survives pregnancy and childbirth.

The troubling question

As part of the MMARP, I recently undertook a working tour of the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, engaging key stakeholders, including health professionals, traditional leaders and volunteers, to canvass support for efforts to reduce maternal deaths.

The engagements confronted me with a troubling question: Why are women still dying during childbirth after attending more than eight antenatal care visits?

The answer lies in the reality that access to care alone is not enough. A woman may diligently attend antenatal clinics yet still face fatal complications if emergency care is delayed, referral systems fail or critical services are unavailable when she needs them most.

That is why, as a government, we are not focusing only on access. We are also concerned about the quality, timeliness and effectiveness of care.

At the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regional Health Directorates, I met health managers, medical directors, frontline professionals and development partners to examine maternal mortality trends and identify gaps that continue to put lives at risk.

Together, we discussed practical solutions to strengthen emergency obstetric care, improve referral systems and deepen accountability across our health facilities.

I also paid courtesy calls on King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse, and Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, to seek the support of traditional authorities in this national effort.

Maternal health is not solely the responsibility of doctors and nurses. Communities, families, chiefs, queen mothers, religious leaders and opinion leaders all have a role to play in ensuring that pregnant women receive timely and appropriate care.

I was encouraged by the commitment of the Asantehene and the Ga Mantse, and their pledge that traditional leaders would champion maternal health awareness and encourage women to seek care early and consistently.

Health workers’ commitment

My visits to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital provided valuable insights into the realities facing frontline health workers.

Doctors, nurses and midwives continue to work tirelessly, often under immense pressure, to save lives. They also identified challenges that must be addressed if we are to achieve lasting reductions in maternal mortality.

Government remains committed to working with them to strengthen services, improve emergency response systems and close critical gaps in care.

The charge

Maternal mortality is a sad reality facing our republic and, as leaders and citizens, we must all rise to help address it.

Fortunately, President Mahama has given his commitment, and we at the Ministry of Health are eager to roll out measures to address the challenges.

That is why I am appealing to every Ghanaian to join this effort.

Support pregnant women in your family and community. Encourage pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics, deliver in health facilities and seek immediate care when complications arise.

Our men must become active partners in maternal health. Community leaders must use their influence to promote healthy behaviours. Employers, faith-based organisations and civil society groups must also lend their voices to this cause.

The truth is that most maternal deaths are preventable. With timely care, strong health systems and community support, more mothers can survive and thrive.

As a government, our vision is clear: Every pregnancy should be safe. Every delivery should be protected. Every mother should return home with her newborn.

Together, let us make maternal mortality a challenge of the past and build a Ghana where no woman dies while giving life.

“Some people go really overboard,” Jason tells me when we meet in Manchester.

His procedure increased the girth of his penis by 16% – an amount he, and his partner, are really happy with. He says it has given him a “self-confidence boost”.

“Everything still functions” as normal, Jason explains – just with “that extra little bit of width”.

It is not clear how many men like Jason are having penis fillers. And you can’t walk down the street and get a sense of it in the way you can visibly see the popularity of lip fillers. There is little regulation and there are no official records as anybody can start offering the procedure.

Penis fillers even became the topic of a bizarre conspiracy theory at the last Winter Olympics. Male ski jumpers were rumoured to be using fillers to increase the surface area of their suits so they could jump further.

However, some men have ended up in A&E with a penis turning black and skin “sloughing off” after a botched procedure. And the British Association of Urological Surgeons has issued warnings to men having these procedures.

So why are men doing it and what are the risks?

Jason talked to us frankly, but anonymously, about his decision to have fillers.

He was happy with the length of his penis but wanted a “bit more symmetry” and more girth to “get that nice, balanced look”.

“If you feel like it’s a bit lacking,” Jason says, “then, why not?”

He spent a year weighing up options and ruled out having a surgical procedure. He chose a type of filler – hyaluronic acid – that is temporary so he knew that even if he hated the look it would “eventually just dissolve”.

Jason says he wasn’t motivated by swaggering alpha masculinity – “I don’t subscribe to ‘how big your dick is, is how big of a man you are'”. Rather, he says expectations of male beauty have shifted.

“It’s not just women that need to keep up, men need to keep up as well.

“It’s literally just society changing. I think the way the media portrays everything has a massive impact on everyday life now,” he says. “It’s like you can’t actually go anywhere without seeing some picture-perfect somebody.”

Trawl the websites of clinics offering penis enlargement – which ask questions like “are you embarrassed by the size of your penis?” – and you can see how some tap into this.

There are a variety of penis-enhancement options. There are surgical and non-surgical techniques and different materials that can be injected into the penis.

Most common by far is injecting the gel-like substance hyaluronic acid – the same key ingredient used in lip fillers.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar molecule in the body and is known as a “moisture magnet” as it grabs hold of water.

Dr Javed Hussain has been offering penis fillers for more than a year at his clinic in Prestwich, Greater Manchester.

Hussain trained as a doctor before moving into cosmetic procedures, but penis fillers do not legally require any medical training to perform.

He says demand is increasing. He’s treated men of all ages – some in their mid-20s, while his oldest client is aged 72.

The process starts with consultations on the patient’s health, reasons for wanting to have the procedure, expectations about the results, and a discussion about the risks.

On the day of the event itself, a penis is injected with hyaluronic acid three times – on the top and on either side. The hyaluronic acid filler is delivered through a cannula that enters at the base and travels along the length of the shaft.

The filler is then massaged to give an even look, which the patient continues as home.

At a cost of up to £3,500, Hussain says men can expect between 10% and 20% more girth for the next six to nine months.

But there are risks. These range from relatively minor ones such as soreness, bruising and uneven filler, to serious ones including infection. These risks apply to all procedures using filler. However, there is also a risk of damaging the vital structures and blood vessels in the penis that are needed for an erection.

When asked why he feels comfortable offering procedures that are concerning surgeons, Hussain says he “totally understands” why some are worried.

“It comes from the right place, that nervousness,” he says, “but at the same time, more and more evidence is growing and we’re getting the results” and that “there is a benefit” to men.

Hussain says he has an “immediate action plan” including drugs to quickly dissolve the filler in the event that things go wrong, and reports that “thankfully, we’ve never needed to” – although the BBC cannot independently corroborate that.

But he recalls one patient who came to him for advice after treatment elsewhere, which had “really gone wrong”.

He says the incorrect type of filler had been used and the “shaft of the penis was starting to become black” as the procedure had damaged the blood vessels in the penis and the skin was dying. The man was sent straight to A&E.

Prof Vaibhav Modgil, an andrologist and consultant urological surgeon for the NHS in Manchester, has seen these men coming into hospital after botched procedures.

“When it does happen, it can be devastating for the patient,” he says.

He recalls seeing men with “skin necrosis, where an area of the skin dies off it turns very black and then it sort of sloughs off.

“So, men will go in thinking, ‘Oh, it’s gonna be brilliant’, but they might come out actually being even more dissatisfied than when they went in.”

Alex, who did not want his real name to be used, travelled to Germany for a different type of penis enhancement procedure.

He had surgery to cut the ligament that attaches the penis to the pubic bone to make it appear longer. He also had his own fat cells harvested and injected into his penis to enlarge it.

When he woke up after the procedure, he was in so much pain he couldn’t stand.

“I sustained a lot of bruising, and all my upper legs turned yellow,” Alex says. “I couldn’t walk properly for about a month.”

Alex was treated at Modgil’s clinic, where he was eventually given the all-clear. “Many people do not get that luxury,” he says. “I got off lucky.”

Alex says he knows he was “never small in the first place”, but society and porn had convinced him that a bigger penis was “masculine and the best”.

Despite a lack of official data on the number of penile enhancement procedures, Modgil says online search trends, advertising and social media all “points to the fact that the numbers are on the up”.

This has led the British Association of Urological Surgeons to issue new recommendations against these procedures.

“The guidance that we’ve recently produced essentially says we cannot recommend that any of these procedures should take place because the evidence is so poor,” says Modgil.

It looked at 36 studies, involving 3,750 men, but said it was still not clear what the “safety profile” of these procedures were.

This is partly down to a lack of data on how fillers affect the penis long-term. But there is also concern that – just like lip fillers – you do not need any qualifications to perform the procedure.

Modgil says an outright ban is “probably too severe”, but if these procedures are going to continue, then the industry “massively needs regulation”.

He called for a national registry to record when penis filler procedures have been performed and for long-term data to be collected so men can make an informed decision based on the risks and the benefits.

Back in Manchester, Jason is happy with the results of his procedure and thinks he’ll do it again when his current fillers wear off.

He said boards and their members should focus on governance and oversight rather than becoming involved in the day-to-day administration of institutions.

“The day-to-day running of the institution is not the responsibility of the Board or Board members,” Mr Akandoh said.

The Minister made the remarks during the second day of the Ministry of Health’s High-Level Mid-Year Review Retreat in Ho, where participants were undergoing training on corporate governance and the roles of institutional boards.

He said effective governance was essential to ensuring that public resources were properly managed and ultimately used to improve healthcare delivery and the well-being of Ghanaians.

Mr Akandoh also stressed the importance of clearly defining the respective responsibilities of boards and Chief Executive Officers to prevent interference in institutional administration and promote effective management.

He disclosed his commitment to ensuring that health agencies have the appropriate Legislative Instruments (LIs) to strengthen governance and provide clear frameworks for the operation of their institutions.

The Minister further urged health institutions to exercise greater prudence in the use of public funds, particularly when organising seminars, training programmes and official travels.

He said spending decisions must take into account the country’s current resource constraints and demonstrate value for money.

According to Mr Akandoh, the governance training is intended to equip participants with a better understanding of their responsibilities, help prevent institutional infractions and promote accountability in the management of health institutions.

He encouraged participants to actively engage in the training and use the knowledge gained to improve governance and decision-making within their respective institutions.

About GH¢36 million of the amount was released to 107 district health facilities nationwide to support the implementation.   

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, made the announcement in a speech read on his behalf at a FPHC durbar at Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga East District.

The CEO further revealed that out of the amount, the Upper East Region received about GH¢4.2 million for 14 district health facilities and indicated that the funds were paid directly to the facilities as part of efforts to improve efficiency and reduce delays.  

“Funds for Free Primary Health Care are flowing straight to district health facilities. This direct payment model reduces delays and guarantees that resources are available at the point of care for Ghanaians,” he said.   

He disclosed that the largest allocations in the region went to the Bawku West District Health Directorate, which received GH¢514,418.71, and the Bongo District Health Directorate also received GH¢415,393.79.  

He said other beneficiary facilities included the Bawku Municipal, Binduri, Bolgatanga East, Builsa North, Builsa South, Garu, Kassena-Nankana Municipal, Kassena-Nankana West, Nabdam, Pusiga, Talensi and Tempane health directorates.  

On the introduction of a cashless revenue collection system across the NHIA district offices nationwide, Dr Bampoe said members would no longer pay cash at district offices for registration and renewal of their NHIS membership.  

He explained that the reform was intended to strengthen accountability, reduce the risks associated with cash handling and provide a clear audit trail for transactions.  

“This reform will enhance accountability and provide a clear audit trail, reduce the risks associated with cash handling, and support faster reconciliation and reporting,” the CEO said.  

He said the Authority also introduced a One-Time Authentication Code (OTAC) system as part of efforts to validate claims and ensure value for money.  

The CEO explained that under the system, NHIS members who visited health facilities would be required to generate an OTAC on a mobile phone before they receive care.  

“This confirms that the member actually attended the facility and received service,” he said.  

Dr Bampoe said a team from the NHIA was in the Upper East Region to pilot the system.  

He said the various interventions demonstrated the government’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system and expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare.  

He assured Ghanaians of the Authority’s continued commitment to strengthening the NHIS and supporting the government’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.   

He noted that the NHIA would continue to operate with financial discipline, accountability and a clear understanding of its responsibility to meet the healthcare needs of Ghanaians.  

The FPHC programme is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen preventive healthcare and improve access to essential health services at the community and primary-care level.  

He made the call when the Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Grace Ayensu Danquah, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi as part of her official tour of the Ashanti Region.

The meeting formed part of efforts to engage key stakeholders on strategies to strengthen maternal healthcare delivery and accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal deaths.

Otumfuo commended the Deputy Minister for her work under the Maternal Mortality Action and Response Programme (M-MARP) and welcomed the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to tackle maternal mortality.

He said it was unacceptable for women to visit health facilities to give birth and not return home alive.

The Asantehene therefore urged doctors, nurses and other frontline health workers to demonstrate commitment and professionalism in providing maternal healthcare.

He cautioned against negligence and called on health professionals to take all necessary steps to prevent avoidable maternal deaths.

Otumfuo also urged pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics regularly and adhere to medical advice.

He noted that timely access to antenatal and skilled healthcare could help identify and manage complications before they become life-threatening.

The Asantehene further encouraged the Deputy Minister to pursue the M-MARP initiative with urgency, describing it as an important intervention in the country’s efforts to reduce maternal deaths.

Dr Ayensu Danquah is in the Ashanti Region as part of a tour to engage health facilities and key stakeholders on ways to strengthen maternal healthcare services and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns.

Apologise to Okyeman or face our wrath – Nananoom to Akyemansa DCE

Dr. Emmanuella Amoako will receive a $100,000 award for using evidence to improve early diagnosis, expand access to treatment, and advance locally led cancer research in Ghana.

The prize honors her leadership as Lead Pediatric Oncologist at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, where she has built evidence-driven services that improve early diagnosis, expand access to treatment, and strengthen locally led research.

It also recognises her broader work across Ghana to advance early detection, workforce development, national research collaboration, and African-led evidence for precision oncology.

Dr. Amoako has used evidence to strengthen the delivery of childhood cancer care amid significant access barriers. Her work translates clinical research into practical improvements across diagnosis and treatment.

Each year, the Roux Prize recognizes an individual whose use of health evidence has contributed to measurable improvements in population health. Since its establishment by David and Barbara Roux in 2013, the prize has highlighted evidence-driven work from around the world. It is awarded by IHME at the University of Washington School of Medicine. 

Childhood cancer survival exceeds 80% in many high-income countries, compared with less than 30% in many African settings. Although Ghana has made important progress and now has 12 pediatric oncologists, specialist services remain concentrated in a few urban centers, requiring many families to travel long distances to access care. Dr. Amoako has worked to address these barriers by expanding pediatric oncology services, improving early detection, and strengthening locally led cancer research. 

“Dr. Amoako has used evidence to strengthen the delivery of childhood cancer care amid significant access barriers,” said Dr. Christopher J.L. Murray, Director of IHME. “Her work translates clinical research into practical improvements across diagnosis and treatment. That is exactly the kind of evidence-informed leadership the Roux Prize was created to recognize.” 

In 2019, Dr. Amoako established a shared-care pediatric oncology service at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, bringing treatment closer to families who previously traveled up to nine hours to reach specialist care.

The service allows  children to receive portions of their care locally while remaining connected to Ghana’s comprehensive cancer centers.

Since opening, it has cared for more than 150 children, while supporting treatment adherence and strengthening coordination across facilities. 

“What we have learned through the shared-care service can inform broader efforts to strengthen childhood cancer care across Ghana,” Dr. Amoako said. “We now have an opportunity to improve early detection, diagnosis, and long-term capacity. The Roux Prize will help us build on this progress and expand the impact of our work.” 

Dr. Amoako also developed COMPASS, or Community Parents Navigating Support for Early Childhood Cancer Detection, a community-driven program designed to reduce delays in childhood cancer diagnosis. The program trains parents of childhood cancer survivors and primary health care workers to recognize warning signs, guide families through referrals, and connect children with specialized services. Its digital platform tracks suspected and confirmed cases, referral timelines, and stage at diagnosis. In its first months, COMPASS trained 10 parent navigators and 100 health care workers and reached more than 1,000 people through community outreach. 

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Amoako is working to address the underrepresentation of African patients in the evidence used to guide cancer diagnosis and treatment through her work with Yemaachi Biotech. People of African ancestry account for only a small fraction of global cancer genomic datasets, limiting the applicability of many advances in precision medicine. Through The African Cancer Atlas (TACA), one of the continent’s largest cancer genomics initiatives, she is helping build a comprehensive genomic and clinical resource using tumor and matched normal samples from thousands of African patients. The initiative aims to generate evidence that better represents African populations, strengthen precision oncology, and accelerate discoveries that improve patient care across the continent.

Dr. Amoako is currently a Cancer Genetics Fellow at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, where she is receiving advanced training that she plans to apply in Ghana to strengthen childhood cancer diagnosis, cancer genetics, and precision oncology. She also serves as Director of Clinical Affairs at Yemaachi Biotech, Secretary of the Childhood Cancer Society of Ghana, and a part-time lecturer at the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences. Her contributions to pediatric care and cancer research have been recognized through the Johnson & Johnson Global Citizen Award (2017), the ASCO International Development and Education Award (2024), and the Pediatric Oncology Yvonne Award (2026). Her broader work includes writing children’s books for young patients, co-hosting the Global Health Unfiltered podcast, and volunteering with Operation Smile. 

As the 2026 Roux Prize winner, Dr. Amoako will receive US$100,000 to advance her evidence-based work in childhood cancer care. The award will support her efforts to strengthen pediatric oncology services across Ghana, helping ensure that children with cancer receive safer, more dignified, and higher-quality care. She also plans to strengthen collaboration across Africa on childhood cancer by working with governments, regional institutions, and partners to increase investment in pediatric oncology services, workforce development, research, and equitable access to innovative diagnostics and treatment across the continent.

Dr. Amoako will be recognized at an award ceremony on October 14 in London. Following this year’s celebration, IHME will begin accepting nominations for the 2027 Roux Prize on November 1, 2026. Nominations are open to individuals from all countries and sectors, including government, civil society, research, and frontline health care.  

Roux Prize 

The Roux Prize is sponsored by IHME founding board member David Roux and his wife, Barbara, to reward innovation in the application of disease burden research. The prize recognizes a person who has used health evidence in bold ways to make people healthier and highlights what is possible when visionaries use evidence to change lives. 

IHME 

An independent population health research organization based at the University of Washington School of Medicine, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) works with collaborators around the world to develop timely, relevant, and scientifically valid evidence that illuminates the state of health everywhere. In making our research available and approachable, we aim to inform health policy and practice in pursuit of our vision: all people living long lives in full health.

The initiative brought together young people, health professionals and other stakeholders for activities focused on environmental sustainability, community development and public health.

As part of the programme, the youth planted indigenous and shade trees at designated public spaces within the community.

The Asikuma Odoben Brakwa District Director of the National Youth Authority, Bright Opare Darko, stressed the importance of educating young people on environmental protection and encouraging them to develop lifelong habits of caring for the environment.

He said empowering the youth with knowledge and practical skills in environmental conservation would enable them to become responsible stewards of the planet for future generations.

The Director of the God Bless Child Development Centre and organiser of the programme, Nicholas Donkoh Barnes, said the initiative was aimed at instilling a sense of responsibility, community pride and commitment to sustainable development among young people.

The programme also featured a voluntary blood donation exercise organised in collaboration with the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Hospital.

A Senior Biomedical Scientist at the hospital, Benjamin Anderson, highlighted the importance of voluntary blood donation, noting that the facility needed adequate blood supplies to support emergency care, maternal health and surgical procedures.

Medical personnel from the hospital screened participants before the donation exercise, which attracted a significant number of young people.

Hospital representatives expressed appreciation for the turnout, saying the donations would help address blood shortages in the area and potentially save the lives of accident victims and women experiencing pregnancy-related complications.

The God Bless Child Development Centre said the initiative formed part of its commitment to holistic youth development, stressing that empowering young people goes beyond academic and vocational training to include health awareness, environmental responsibility and community service.

The organisers expressed gratitude to the management and medical team of the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Hospital, the National Youth Authority and all participating young people for supporting the initiative.

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Spend a few minutes watching children in a preschool, and you will hear it repeatedly.

“I made a new friend today.”

Often, the friendship began only moments earlier. A shared toy, a game of tag, or a few minutes on the swings is enough for one child to declare another a friend.

As adults, we smile at this innocence. We know that friendship is more complicated than that.

Or is it?

Viewed through the Continuity lens, children and adults are not defining friendship differently. They are operating with different amounts of accumulated continuity.

A preschool child has very little personal history. There are relatively few shared experiences that distinguish one relationship from another. Friendship is therefore based largely on the present moment. The willingness to play together is enough to create the beginning of continuity.

Adults are different.

By adulthood, each of us carries decades of accumulated experience. We have developed beliefs, values, habits, disappointments, ambitions, memories, and relationships. Entering another person’s life now requires connecting with a much richer history.

That is why adults rarely describe friendship by saying, “We enjoy each other’s company.”

Instead, we say:

“We’ve been friends for thirty years.”

“We’ve known each other since university.”

“We’ve been through a lot together.”

Notice what these statements have in common. None of them are really about time. They are about accumulated continuity.

Time is simply the easiest way to describe it.

In reality, time alone creates nothing.

Two neighbours may live next to each other for twenty years and never become close friends.

Two colleagues may work together for a decade and remain acquaintances.

On the other hand, soldiers serving together during conflict, founders building a company from nothing, or classmates overcoming years of shared challenges often develop lifelong friendships in a remarkably short period.

What makes the difference?

Not the number of years.

The density of shared experience.

Friendship grows when experiences are accumulated, remembered, and continuously built upon.

Every conversation.

Every challenge overcome together.

Every promise kept.

Every celebration shared.

Every disagreement resolved.

Each one becomes another layer of continuity.

Over time, something remarkable happens.

Friends no longer need lengthy explanations. They understand references that no one else understands. A single glance, a smile, or a short sentence carries years of accumulated meaning.

Continuity has reduced the friction of communication.

This also explains why trust and friendship are inseparable.

Trust is not created in a single dramatic moment. It is accumulated through thousands of small demonstrations of reliability.

Every confidence protected.

Every promise honoured.

Every act of loyalty.

These become deposits into what we might call continuity capital.

Perhaps the most beautiful demonstration of continuity is what happens at reunions.

Friends who have not seen each other for twenty or thirty years often find themselves laughing within minutes. The relationship seems to restart almost instantly.

What has happened?

They have not created a new friendship.

They have reactivated preserved continuity.

The shared experiences were never lost. They simply lay dormant until the relationship resumed.

This leads us to an important insight.

Friendship is not measured by the passage of time.

It is measured by the accumulation and preservation of shared continuity.

Time helps only because it creates opportunities for continuity to grow.

Without shared experiences, time accomplishes very little.

Viewed this way, friendship becomes one of humanity’s greatest continuity systems.

It preserves memories.

It preserves trust.

It preserves identity.

It preserves wisdom.

And in doing so, it allows two lives to become increasingly valuable to one another over time.

Perhaps this is why some friendships endure for a lifetime while others disappear within months.

The difference is not simply how long they lasted.

It is whether continuity continued.

The Continuity Principle of Friendship

Friendship is not the passage of time between two people. It is the accumulation, preservation, and reactivation of shared experience. Time provides the opportunity. Continuity creates the friendship.

The veteran actor said he found people in Kumasi to be more down-to-earth and approachable compared with those in Accra.

Ramsey Nouah made the comments during an interview on Angel FM after arriving in Kumasi to feature in an upcoming movie by Ghanaian actor and comedian Kwadwo Nkansah Lil Win.

Drawing a comparison between Ghana’s two major cities and Nigeria’s Lagos and Abuja, the actor described Accra as a city associated with wealth and a “big boy” lifestyle, while he likened Kumasi to Lagos, which he characterised as a hub for hustlers and entrepreneurs.

“Accra is more like a place for the big boys, but Kumasi is for hustlers and entrepreneurs. People are more down-to-earth in Kumasi than in Accra,” he said.

He explained that his observation was based on the different lifestyles and attitudes he had encountered in the two cities.

“Lagos is the hustlers’ place. Abuja is the people that are eating and enjoying the big money, and they act like they are the big boys. Lagos are more like the entrepreneurs. It feels like the same thing here,” he said.

Ramsey Nouah further cited an interaction during his interview as an example of what he perceived to be the difference between the two cities.

He noted that the interviewer’s suggestion to take one of their colleagues out for fufu reflected what he considered to be Kumasi’s more down-to-earth character.

“You want to take my sister to eat fufu; now in Accra they won’t take her to eat fufu, they’ll take her to an expensive place like La Chaumière,” he said.

Ramsey Nouah is currently in Kumasi to feature in Kwadwo Nkansah Lil Win’s upcoming movie.

Watch the video below:

“Accra is more like a place for the big boys, but Kumasi is for hustlers and entrepreneurs. People are more down-to-earth in Kumasi than in Accra.”

— Nigerian actor and film director Ramsey Nouah during an interview on Angel FM after arriving in Kumasi to feature in Kwadwo… pic.twitter.com/6iecTXNU2L

— 𝐀𝐒𝐊 (@askghmedia) August 14, 2026

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Patients seeking outpatient care at the facility will be unable to access it until further notice due to this development.

According to a notice from the hospital to patients and visitors, the suspension will remain in effect until the strike is called off.

“Please be informed that Outpatient Department (OPD) services have been suspended due to the ongoing GAUA strike,” the notice reads.

The hospital apologised for the inconvenience this might cause and advised patients to contact the hospital administration for further information.

“OPD services will resume when the strike is called off,” the notice added.

Today, that craze has largely faded. Although some members of Generation Z still wear fashionable frames to enhance their appearance, attention appears to have shifted to dental braces.

Braces are primarily used to correct orthodontic problems. Yet an increasing number of young people and even some middle-aged adults seem eager to wear them merely for aesthetic appeal, without necessarily having a dental condition that requires treatment.

This raises an important question: Are there sufficiently stringent assessment and regulatory procedures to determine who genuinely requires braces, or has the practice been left to market forces and the demands of fashion-conscious consumers? Orthodontists and the relevant regulatory authorities are best placed to provide a definitive answer.

Braces not accessories

Dental braces are used to straighten teeth and correct orthodontic conditions such as crooked, crowded or widely spaced teeth. They may also be prescribed to correct malocclusion a condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly when the mouth is closed.

Braces work by applying gentle but continuous pressure to move the teeth gradually into their appropriate positions. Although they are commonly associated with children and teenagers, adults may also undergo orthodontic treatment where clinically necessary.

There are several forms of orthodontic treatment, including traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, self-ligating braces and clear aligners. The appropriate option depends on the nature and severity of the patient’s condition, as well as the recommendation of a qualified dental professional.

Clear aligners are removable, unlike conventional braces, but they must generally be worn for most of the day to be effective. They are normally removed only when eating, drinking, brushing or flossing.

Orthodontic treatment often begins between the ages of nine and 14 because the jaw and facial bones are still developing and may respond more readily to treatment. This does not mean braces are ineffective in adulthood. Adults can also obtain good results, although treatment may sometimes take longer.

Benefits of proper orthodontic treatment

When prescribed and supervised by a qualified orthodontist or dentist, braces can significantly improve a person’s oral health and quality of life. Beyond producing a straighter smile, they can make the teeth easier to clean, reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, and improve essential functions such as chewing and speaking.

However, even properly prescribed braces may cause temporary discomfort, particularly after they are fitted or tightened. Patients may also experience irritation of the tongue, lips or inner cheeks, difficulty eating and occasional jaw pain. These effects are usually monitored and managed as part of professional orthodontic care.

The critical point is that braces are not harmless decorations. They are medical devices designed to move teeth and alter a person’s bite. Their use should therefore be based on a proper clinical assessment, not simply a desire to follow a trend.

Dangers of unsupervised braces

Wearing braces without a genuine orthodontic need or obtaining them from an unqualified person can expose an individual to serious oral-health risks. Unnecessary or poorly controlled pressure may move otherwise healthy teeth out of position, creating gaps, crookedness or a new bite problem.

Other potential consequences include:

• tooth decay and permanent white or brown marks caused by plaque and food collecting around brackets; 
• swollen or bleeding gums, which may progress to gum disease; 
• gum recession and the loss of bone supporting the teeth; 
• shortening of tooth roots because of unnecessary or poorly controlled pressure; 
• damage to tooth enamel during the attachment or removal of brackets; 
• cuts, mouth ulcers and irritation caused by wires or badly fitted components; 
• infection from unsterilised instruments, unsafe materials or inappropriate adhesives; 
• choking if a bracket, wire or decorative component becomes detached; 
• jaw discomfort, difficulty chewing and headaches resulting from changes to the bite;
• injury to a tooth’s nerve, which may require root-canal treatment in severe cases; and 

The risk may be even greater where so-called fashion braces are fitted outside a properly regulated dental facility. Without an examination, X-rays where necessary, a diagnosis and continuing professional supervision, there may be no reliable way of predicting how the teeth, gums and supporting bone will respond.

Is fashion worth the risk?

It is difficult to understand why anyone would knowingly expose themselves to these risks solely for aesthetic satisfaction. Why pursue today’s fashionable appearance at the expense of tomorrow’s oral health?

The officers were seconded to the GMTF during its establishment and played key roles in developing its systems and operations.

Speaking at a ceremony to formally release the officers, NHIA Chief Executive, Dr Bampoe, commended them for accepting the responsibility of helping to build a new institution.

“When the Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established, these officers answered the call to serve. They left familiar roles within the NHIA and took on the task of helping build a new institution from the ground up. Today, as they officially join the Fund, we celebrate their courage, commitment and the impact they have made,” he said.

Dr Bampoe said continued efforts to strengthen Ghana’s health sector required collaboration among institutions towards a common goal.

He assured the officers of the NHIA’s continued support as they take up their new responsibilities at the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

He also expressed appreciation to the 13 staff members for their dedication and contribution to the Authority.

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Speaking at a Free Primary Healthcare durbar at the Zuarungu Health Centre as part of his Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region, President Mahama described the home visits as a critical component of the programme.

He said community health nurses and volunteers will conduct basic screenings, including checks for hypertension and diabetes, while identifying pregnant women, newborns and other persons who may require further medical attention.

President Mahama encouraged households to welcome health workers into their homes and follow up on referrals, stressing that early detection could help prevent serious health complications.

He also reaffirmed government’s commitment to universal healthcare, emphasising that access to quality healthcare should not depend on where a person lives.

“People should not die because of where they were born or where they live. Everybody has a right to good healthcare,” he said.

President Mahama inspected the project on Thursday, August 13, 2026, as part of his Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region.

He said taxpayers’ investments in stalled projects must not be left to waste, stressing the need to complete and put such facilities to productive use.

The central laboratory project, which commenced in 2016 but later stalled, is expected to be completed and handed over in 2027.

The facility is expected to provide modern infrastructure to support teaching, research, innovation and practical training at UTAS.

President Mahama also directed the Ministry of Roads and Highways to include UTAS’s request for about five kilometres of internal roads in its project inventory.

He described the request as achievable and said it should be considered as part of efforts to improve infrastructure on the university campus.

The President further reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Ghana.

He also expressed support for UTAS’s plans to establish a medical school, saying the initiative could help expand the country’s capacity to train more doctors.

Author and cancer-control advocate Benjamin Akyena Brantuo, speaking on Joy Prime ( https://youtu.be/Ad7p2T0HzSQ?si=fsauMEnv-VFR_S2B ) on Thursday, 13 August 2026, has called for a fundamental change in Ghana’s approach to cancer management.

Drawing from themes explored in his book, Dying Many Times, Mr. Brantuo is proposing that Ghana move from what he describes as a fragmented approach to cancer care towards a coordinated, adequately funded and accountable national cancer-control system.

His proposal centres on five key measures:

1. ESTABLISH A NATIONAL CANCER AUTHORITY
   Mr. Brantuo is calling for the establishment of a dedicated National Cancer Authority to coordinate, regulate, monitor and evaluate cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care and survivorship across Ghana.

The proposed Authority would bring together relevant government institutions, healthcare professionals, researchers, civil society organisations, patients, development partners and other stakeholders.

The objective would be to ensure that cancer control is treated as a coordinated national responsibility rather than addressed through disconnected interventions.

2. ESTABLISH A NATIONAL CANCER FUND
   Mr. Brantuo is also proposing the establishment of a National Cancer Fund as a dedicated and sustainable financing mechanism for cancer control.

The proposed Fund could support:

Cancer prevention and public awareness;

Screening and early detection;

Diagnosis and treatment;

Essential cancer medicines;

Medical equipment and infrastructure;

Cancer research;

Cancer data and surveillance;

Palliative care; and

Patient and family support.

He proposes that existing cancer-related funding arrangements could, subject to appropriate policy and legislative review, be consolidated within such a Fund.

Mr. Brantuo further stresses that the Fund should operate under strong governance, accountability and transparent reporting mechanisms, with the proposed National Cancer Authority providing oversight and management.

3. DEVELOP A NATIONAL CANCER STRATEGY
   Under the proposed framework, the National Cancer Authority would develop and implement a comprehensive, long-term National Cancer Strategy.

The Strategy should cover the entire cancer-control continuum, including:

Prevention;

Early detection;

Diagnosis;

Treatment;

Palliative care;

Survivorship;

Research; and

Cancer data and surveillance.

4. DEVELOP NATIONAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR CANCER MANAGEMENT
   Mr. Brantuo is proposing the development of National Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cancer management across Ghana’s health system.

The SOPs should establish clear and standardised pathways for:

Referral;

Diagnosis;

Treatment;

Follow-up; and

Palliative care.

He argues that standardised national procedures could help reduce variations in the quality and timeliness of cancer care and provide clearer pathways for patients navigating the health system.

5. INTRODUCE A FOUR-YEAR MULTI-YEAR CANCER ACTION PLAN
   Mr. Brantuo proposes that the National Cancer Strategy be translated into a four-year, measurable action plan.

The plan should identify:

Clear national priorities;

Specific programmes and interventions;

Required budgets and financing;

Responsible institutions;

Implementation timelines; and

Measurable performance indicators.

At the end of every four-year period, the plan should be reviewed based on performance, lessons learned, emerging cancer trends and national needs, before a new implementation cycle is developed.

FROM INDIVIDUAL CASES TO A NATIONAL PRIORITY
The central message of Mr. Brantuo’s proposal is that Ghana needs to move beyond treating cancer primarily as individual cases and begin managing cancer as a national public-health priority.

“Ghana needs to move from treating cancer as individual cases to managing cancer as a national priority. We need one national authority, a dedicated cancer fund, a national strategy, standardised protocols and a measurable four-year action plan.”

According to Mr. Brantuo, these proposals constitute one of the central themes of his book, Dying Many Times, and are intended to stimulate national discussion on how Ghana can strengthen its response to cancer.

He is calling for greater coordination, sustainable financing, accountability, standardisation and long-term planning across the country’s cancer-control system.

ABOUT BENJAMIN AKYENA BRANTUO
Author of Dying Many Times…
Buy ‘Dying Many Times …’ here:

Or call/Whatsapp 0244825187

Read excerpts of the book ‘Dying Many Times…’ here

2.Read about Benjamin Akyena Brantuo here:

The campaign, under the slogan “From 70 to 80 – Let’s Cover More,” seeks to increase active NHIS membership from the current 70% to 80% by the end of 2026.

The initiative will focus on enrolling new members, retaining existing ones and ensuring that NHIS membership translates into access to quality healthcare.

As part of efforts to improve the sustainability of the Scheme and reflect the true cost of healthcare, the NHIA has commenced a 50% increase in NHIS service tariffs paid to healthcare providers.

The adjustment is being implemented in phases, with full implementation expected by October 2026.

The Authority, however, says the increase in tariffs will come with a stronger crackdown on illegal co-payments charged by healthcare facilities.

The NHIA has reiterated that there is no co-payment policy under the NHIS and is intensifying efforts to prevent facilities from charging members for services covered by the Scheme.

It says monthly provider payments are also being prioritised to ensure NHIS cardholders receive the services they are entitled to without unauthorised charges.

The Authority is further introducing the One-Time Attendance Code (OTAC), a digital claims verification system designed to confirm patient attendance before claims are reimbursed.

The NHIA estimates that about 15% of current claims may be ineligible, resulting in annual losses of approximately GH₵400 million, with the figure potentially rising to GH₵1 billion without intervention.

The OTAC system is currently being piloted in the Ahafo and Western North regions ahead of a nationwide rollout.

Meanwhile, the NHIA has released GH₵35.1 million to 107 districts under the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) programme.

Launched in April 2026, the programme provides essential services including health screenings, maternal and child healthcare, and immunisations through CHPS compounds and health centres.

“The programme aims to promote healthier lifestyles and early diagnosis, helping to prevent diseases from becoming severe and costly to treat,” Chief Executive of the NHIA, Dr Victor Asare Bampoe, said.

The NHIA has also officially released 13 staff members to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) after a one-year secondment.

The pioneer officers contributed to establishing the Fund’s operations during its formative stage.

Dr Bampoe commended the staff for their dedication to advancing healthcare delivery.

The NHIA says the combined measures are part of its broader strategy to expand insurance coverage, improve financial efficiency and advance Ghana’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Health authorities say the policy has the potential to transform healthcare delivery, but only if all stakeholders work together to ensure that “no one is left behind”.

Speaking at the Mid-Year Health Sector Review, the Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Josephat Nyuzagl, announced that the region’s maternal mortality ratio had dropped from 87.82 to 48.5 per 100,000 live births, representing a 45% reduction.

“I’m particularly pleased to report a decline in anaemia among pregnant women. We also recorded an increase in skilled deliveries,” Dr Nyuzagl said, reaffirming the region’s efforts to ensure that more women deliver safely.

He added that healthcare utilisation had increased, while civil works for the regional oxygen plant had been completed. Equipment installation is expected to be completed within eight weeks.

Dr Nyuzagl said the region was prepared for the Free Primary Healthcare policy launched by President John Mahama in April 2026.

Phase One of the policy covers 10 of the region’s 11 municipalities and districts, accounting for about 78% of the Upper West Region’s population.

To prepare for the rollout, the region has received 853 pieces of equipment across 72 categories and has interviewed 199 health workers for deployment.

“Free primary healthcare is not charity. This is an investment in equity, an investment in human capital,” he stated.

Despite the progress, Dr Nyuzagl identified infrastructure and accommodation challenges that could affect the delivery of primary healthcare.

“A number of CHPS zones lack CHPS compounds. If we want community health officers to be closer to communities, it’s important that they have accommodation,” he said.

He also announced new Ghana Health Service directives, including the installation of CCTV cameras in all health facilities, mandatory staff identification cards and stronger safety measures.

Speaking on behalf of the Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, Chief Director Pognaa Fati Issaka Koray said the Free Primary Healthcare policy had “the potential to transform healthcare delivery and improve the lives of our people”.

“Today’s gathering serves two important purposes. First, to reflect on our performance. Second, to embrace a policy that can transform healthcare delivery,” she said.

She called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to prioritise healthcare in their budgets and urged traditional and religious leaders to support health education within their communities.

“The success of this policy will depend on all of us. Investment in primary healthcare is an investment in human development and sustainable growth,” she stated.

On the challenges facing maternal and child health, she was emphatic.

“Every preventable maternal or neonatal death is one too many. Our goal must remain clear to ensure that every woman, every child, and every family has access to quality and timely healthcare services,” she said.

She also stressed that the Free Primary Healthcare programme must place greater emphasis on disease prevention.

“Preventing illness is often more effective and less costly than treating advanced disease,” she added.

With equipment delivered, health workers recruited and the implementation roadmap circulated, health officials say the Upper West Region is “done and ready for a smooth take-off”.

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HIV prevalence among drug users in Ashanti Region hits 6.6% – NACOC

According to him, HIV prevalence among people who use drugs in the region stands at 6.6%, compared with the national prevalence rate of 1.4%.

Major General Mantey disclosed this during the National Youth Day celebration in Kumasi, where he highlighted data on drug use and its impact on young people.

He said research conducted by the University of Ghana School of Public Health in 2025 estimated that 82,500 people use drugs in Ghana.

The substances include heroin, cocaine, tramadol and methamphetamine, he said, noting that the figure excludes cannabis, which he described as the most abused drug in the country.

“Research conducted by the University of Ghana School of Public Health in 2025 estimated that there are 82,500 people who use drugs in Ghana,” he said.

Major General Mantey added that 16,300 of those people are in the Ashanti Region.

“Out of this, 16,300 are coming from this region, Ashanti Region. HIV prevalence among persons who use drugs in the Ashanti Region was 6.6 percent, several times above the national average of 1.4,” he said.

He further disclosed that 10% of people who use drugs begin before the age of 15, while 54% start before the age of 19.

“Those figures should make us pause and think about how deeply opioid use and misuse have penetrated some of our communities,” he said.

Major General Mantey also revealed that in 2025, 1,179 people received treatment for substance use disorders at 30 treatment centres across the country.

Of those who received treatment, 88.5% were aged between 20 and 44 years.

He said the figures underscore the need for stronger interventions to address the health and social consequences of substance abuse, particularly among young people.

The NACOC Director-General also appealed to the youth to avoid drug abuse, drawing on personal experiences of friends whose prospects, he said, had been affected by substance use.

He criticised people involved in drug trafficking for selling substances they would not want their own children to consume.

Major General Mantey urged young people to look to successful public officials and other leaders as examples of what can be achieved without resorting to drugs.

“What has propelled them to where they have gotten to? If you continue to use drugs or know somebody and shield the person, a time will come when nobody will stand here for you,” he warned.

He further cautioned against the consequences of persistent drug abuse.

“We will leave you to decay in the ghettos. And if narcotics come for you, there are two people who will free you, God and the  court,” he said.

Major General Mantey said the scale of drug use among young people and its associated health risks should prompt stronger prevention, treatment and rehabilitation efforts.

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He said the deadline is intended to enable the Ministry to quickly fill vacancies created by recruits who fail to take up their postings, ensuring that health facilities have adequate staff.

Speaking during a courtesy call by members of the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives on Wednesday, August 12, Mr Akandoh said the Ministry secured financial clearance before commencing the recruitment exercise to prevent newly recruited health professionals from working without receiving their salaries.

According to him, the decision was deliberate to avoid the accumulation of salary arrears, which has affected health professionals recruited in previous years.

“I waited till I had financial clearance before we started doing that, and so those who reported early have even gotten their salaries, and so we are not going to pile any arrears this time around,” he said.

He urged recruits who are yet to report to do so by the August 20 deadline.

“Those who have not reported, with the greatest of respect, they must report before or on August 20. If you don’t go after the 20th, it means that you will not go and you may forfeit that opportunity,” he added.

Mr Akandoh said the Ministry would subsequently undertake a mop-up exercise to replace recruits who fail to accept their postings.

“Immediately after that, we will do what we call a mop-up exercise so that those who didn’t accept the postings, we will have to find their replacement,” he said.

The Minister stressed that the government could not keep vacant positions open indefinitely for recruits who fail to report, particularly at a time when health facilities require additional personnel.

The directive means newly recruited health professionals who fail to report to their assigned facilities by August 20 could lose their appointments and be replaced during the planned mop-up exercise.

According to him, a 2025 study by the University of Ghana School of Public Health found that 10% of people who use drugs started before the age of 15, while 54% began before turning 19.

Major General Obuba said the figures highlight the extent to which drug use, particularly opioid misuse, has penetrated some communities and exposed young people to its harmful effects at an early age.

He made the remarks on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Kumasi during the International Youth Day celebration, where he called for stronger preventive measures, public education and support systems to address substance use among young people.

“Those figures should make us pause and think about how deeply opioid use and misuse have penetrated some of our communities,” he said.

The NACOC Director-General stressed the need for greater attention to prevention, arguing that interventions must begin early enough to protect children and adolescents from developing substance use disorders.

He said families, schools, communities and relevant state institutions all have a role to play in educating young people about the dangers of drug use and ensuring that those at risk receive the necessary support.

Major General Obuba also disclosed that 1,179 people received treatment for substance use disorders in 2025 through 30 treatment centres across the country.

He noted that 88.5% of those who received treatment were between 20 and 44 years old, highlighting the significant burden of substance use among people in their productive years.

The figures, he said, reinforce the need for Ghana to combine enforcement measures with prevention, education, treatment and rehabilitation to tackle the drug-use problem effectively.

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The request, dated August 11, 2026, and signed by RAN-Africa Executive Director Kelvin Gyimah, seeks information on proposals, negotiations, agreements and financial arrangements involving private investors, faith-based organisations and other entities.

The move comes amid growing public interest in government’s plans to involve the private sector in completing the health infrastructure projects.

Among other things, the organisation is asking the Ministry to disclose the identities of all private entities, companies, organisations, religious bodies, foundations and investors that have expressed interest in or have been invited to partner on Agenda 111 projects since January 2025.

It is also seeking copies of proposals, expressions of interest, correspondence and communications submitted by such entities.

RAN-Africa wants access to any agreements, memoranda of understanding, term sheets, public-private partnership agreements or other contractual instruments executed or proposed.

The organisation is also requesting details of the financial structure of each proposed partnership, including the respective contributions expected from government and private entities.

Other information being sought includes proposed ownership, lease, concession, management or operational arrangements involving private entities.

The request further seeks copies of Cabinet, ministerial, parliamentary or other governmental approvals, as well as legal opinions, due diligence reports, feasibility studies and valuation reports prepared in relation to proposed partnerships.

RAN-Africa also wants the Ministry to disclose the current status of each partnership, including whether it is under consideration, being negotiated, approved, concluded, suspended or abandoned.

The RTI application follows recent disclosures by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh that government is exploring partnerships with private entities to complete Agenda 111 facilities.

Mr Akandoh has indicated that completing all the projects would require more than GH¢20 billion, with about GH¢4.8 billion already invested.

The government has subsequently adopted a phased approach, prioritising 35 facilities for completion while exploring private sector involvement for the remaining projects.

The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has already submitted a proposal to the Health Ministry to partner government on selected Agenda 111 hospitals.

The proposal focuses on four areas: trauma care, holistic wellness, oncology and cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services.

The Health Minister has also appealed to mining companies to take over, complete and equip Agenda 111 facilities located within their operational areas.

RAN-Africa’s request comes against the backdrop of concerns over transparency and the protection of the public interest as government considers private participation in the projects.

The organisation wants the disclosure of the financial and contractual terms of any proposed arrangements, as well as information on whether private entities could acquire ownership, management or operational control over public health facilities.

Agenda 111 was launched by former President Nana Akufo-Addo in August 2021, with the initial plan involving the construction of 101 district hospitals, six regional hospitals, two psychiatric hospitals and two specialised hospitals in the middle and northern belts of Ghana.

Several of the projects remain incomplete, with their funding and completion emerging as a major issue for the current administration.

RAN-Africa has drawn the Ministry’s attention to Section 23(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), which requires an Information Officer to decide on an application and communicate the decision to the applicant in writing within 14 days of receiving it.

The organisation has requested that the information and related correspondence be sent electronically to its designated contact.

The Ministry therefore has 14 days from receipt of the request to respond, subject to any extension permitted under the RTI Act.

The information, if disclosed, could provide greater clarity on the extent of private sector participation being contemplated by government, the financial commitments involved and the proposed arrangements for completing and operating the Agenda 111 facilities.

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More than 99 per cent of the 13,500 affected health professionals have now received their salaries, following sustained engagement between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance.

President of the Coalition, Stephen Kwadwo Takyia, led a delegation to the Ministry of Health to formally express appreciation to the Minister and his officials for their efforts in addressing the group’s employment and salary concerns.

Mr Akandoh explained that the affected health professionals had begun work without financial clearance, creating a difficult situation for Government. He said the Ministry, instead of withdrawing their appointments, chose to retain them at post while working with the Ministry of Finance to secure the necessary funding.

According to the Minister, financial clearance has now been secured for all 13,500 workers, with only a few isolated cases yet to be resolved. He subsequently directed the Human Resource Directorate to expedite action on the outstanding cases.

He also instructed health-sector agencies to fast-track the issuance of appointment letters and the mechanisation of newly recruited health professionals to ensure timely processing of their salaries.

The Minister further disclosed that Government plans to recruit 16,000 health professionals in 2026, with financial clearance already secured for the first 8,000. He assured that clearance for the remaining 8,000 would be secured before recruitment begins to prevent a recurrence of salary arrears.

Mr Akandoh urged newly recruited health professionals to report to their assigned facilities by August 20, 2026, warning that failure to report by the deadline could result in the loss of their appointments.

He also encouraged health workers to serve with dedication and treat patients with respect and dignity, emphasising the need to keep patients at the centre of healthcare delivery.

The Coalition expressed appreciation to the Minister and the Ministry for their continued engagement and support in resolving their concerns. Members expressed optimism that, with the payment challenges largely addressed, the group would soon no longer be known as the Coalition of “Unpaid” Nurses and Midwives.

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The Ministry’s response follows concerns raised by the Network of Persons Living with HIV in Ghana (NAP+ Ghana) over an alleged shortage of the life-saving medicines.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Tony Goodman, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Ministry described claims that ARVs were unavailable in the country as inaccurate.

“It is not accurate that antiretroviral medicines are unavailable in the country. ARVs are available at designated health facilities across Ghana to support the continued treatment and care of persons living with HIV,” the statement said.

The Ministry explained that it was taking steps under its routine procurement and supply arrangements to maintain the availability of essential medicines.

It said the measures were intended to sustain supplies and ensure the timely distribution of medicines and other essential health commodities to health facilities nationwide.

The Ministry, however, did not disclose the current stock levels of ARVs or indicate whether some health facilities were experiencing isolated supply challenges.

It also rejected claims that some ARVs had expired at the port.

“The Ministry wishes to clarify that it is incorrect to suggest that antiretroviral medicines have expired at the port,” it stated.

According to the Ministry, it is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the effective management and timely clearance of medical commodities.

It further disclosed that it had engaged NAP+ Ghana following the concerns raised and assured the organisation of its readiness to address issues relating to the availability and distribution of ARVs.

“We remain committed to constructive engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that persons living with HIV have uninterrupted access to the medicines and services they require,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry assured persons living with HIV and the general public that it would continue to take steps to safeguard access to essential medicines and promote the equitable distribution of ARVs across the country.

The clarification comes amid growing concerns from HIV advocacy groups about the availability of medicines critical to the treatment and management of HIV.

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They argue that years of exclusion from state programmes and national events have eroded the role of traditional practice in Ghana’s cultural landscape.

The appeal was made during a mass registration, licensing and sensitisation programme for traditional, indigenous and faith-based healing practitioners in the Ashanti Region.

The programme was organised by the Trado-Afrikan Faith Healers Association (TAFHA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the Traditional Medicine Practice Council.

Held at the Kumasi Centre for National Culture under the theme “Building a Recognised and Regulated Traditional Healing Sector in Ghana,” the event brought together hundreds of practitioners to register, receive licences and be sensitised on regulatory requirements and best practices.

Speaking to the media, the Acting General Secretary of the Trado-Afrikan Faith Healers Association (TAFHA), Jonathan Q. Attoh (Dzogbana), underscored the importance of recognising traditional faith in the country.

He said traditional healing and spirituality form an integral part of Ghanaian identity and must be accorded the same respect and inclusion given to other religious and health practices.

According to him, acknowledging the role of traditional faith in national life will not only preserve Ghana’s cultural heritage but also strengthen unity and promote holistic healthcare delivery.

Mr Attoh recalled that during the era of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, traditionalists were given a prominent role in national celebrations and were allowed to pour libation during Independence Day ceremonies.

He said the practice reflected the recognition and respect accorded to Ghana’s indigenous spirituality and cultural values at the time.

However, he lamented that in recent years, the country no longer grants the same opportunity to traditionalists.

“We used to honour the ancestors who fought for our independence at the 6th March ceremony. For some years now, the traditional faith has been excluded from national activities and that approach is not sustainable. Libation is not just a ritual. It is a prayer, a way of connecting with our ancestors and asking for blessings for the nation. When we leave it out of our national events, we are leaving out a part of who we are as Ghanaians,” he stated.

Mr Attoh also expressed concern over the exclusion of traditional faith practitioners from the National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayers activities.

He urged the government to grant traditionalists equal recognition and participation as accorded to Christian and Muslim faiths.

“Traditionalists must not be treated as spectators in matters of national prayer and thanksgiving. We are part of this country too, and we deserve the same opportunity to pray for the nation as is given to Christian and Muslim leaders. We are calling on government through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to integrate us into national programmes,” he said.

Midao Kadevi, Acting President of the Trado-Afrikan Faith Healers Association (TAFHA), said the Association was established in response to the growing need for a strong, credible and inclusive national institution.

According to him, TAFHA differs from conventional professional associations in both structure and mandate.

He explained that the Association operates as a federation of practice groups, a model designed to bring together the diverse indigenous healing traditions in Ghana under one national framework.

This structure, he said, ensures that every recognised indigenous healing tradition retains the autonomy to preserve its unique customs, beliefs, leadership structures and methods of practice, while also benefiting from collective representation.

Midao Kadevi concluded that by working together under this federation, member groups advance shared objectives, including professional development, adherence to ethical standards, compliance with regulatory requirements and the pursuit of formal national recognition for both the traditional healing sector and national activities.

Officials from the Traditional Medicine Practice Council and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs used the platform to educate practitioners on licensing requirements, ethical standards and collaboration with orthodox health institutions.

The registration exercise forms part of broader efforts to build a formal, regulated traditional healing sector that ensures safety, accountability and public trust.

Nana Abass, the Acting Vice President of TAFHA, said the mass registration would help create a database of credible practitioners and weed out quacks, while also positioning traditional healing as a key partner in achieving universal health coverage.

He pledged their commitment to work with the government and relevant stakeholders to ensure traditional healing is given its rightful place in Ghana’s health and cultural systems.

He called on law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute individuals posing as traditional herbalists without proper certification.

He stressed that the rise of fake practitioners undermines public trust, endangers patient safety and tarnishes the reputation of legitimate traditional medicine in Ghana.

Nana Baffour A.K. Ababio II, Otumfuo Saramanhene, urged traditionalists to align their practices with modern standards.

He emphasised the need for them to improve their professional appearance and ensure that shrine premises are well-maintained and hygienic.

According to him, such changes will enhance public perception and promote greater respect for indigenous healing traditions in contemporary society.

In attendance were representatives of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Health, as well as Dr (MH) Yakubu T. Yusuf, Registrar/CEO of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council.

Ho Assembly destroys expired food products seized from warehouses

Members of GAUA are on a nationwide strike in protest against what they describe as unfair disparities in market premiums and allowances.

Although the administrators have laid down their tools, JoyNews checks on the KNUST campus revealed that some administrative offices were operating, with students and other non-striking staff seeking assistance.

Enquiries at the offices indicated that contract staff and administrators who are not members of GAUA were at post to assist individuals seeking solutions to their concerns.

However, access to some IT infrastructure required to process certain requests remained a challenge, as key staff responsible for those systems were not at post.

Ordinarily, the parking lot in front of the university’s administration block is filled with vehicles, particularly during working hours. However, checks showed several empty spaces, suggesting that some of the usual occupants could be members of GAUA.

At the university’s IT office, students were seen in a queue as some officials attended to their needs. However, an office occupied by a GAUA member was closed.

JoyNews sources indicate that the association may not have properly notified the National Labour Commission before embarking on the industrial action.

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2026 National Youth Conference: Take an active role in national development…

You may need to ask your mother or another older family member. Perhaps you already know the answer—or perhaps no one remembers. Either way, the question is worth asking because researchers are increasingly interested in how  nutrition during the earliest months of life may shape  health many years later.

Your first food matters

A baby’s body grows and develops at an extraordinary pace. The brain, immune system, digestive system and other organs are all maturing, and adequate nutrition is essential to this process. Breast milk is much more than food. It provides the energy, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals that a growing baby needs. It also contains antibodies, beneficial bacteria, hormones, enzymes and many other biologically active substances that support development and help protect the baby from infections.

Unlike an ordinary food product, breast milk changes over time. Its composition adjusts as the baby grows and can even vary during a single feed. In addition to all that we already know about the benefits of breastfeeding, researchers have also been asking another question: might some of these benefits continue into adulthood?

What does the recent research say?

A 2026 narrative review titled Breastfeeding in Infancy and Adult Health brought together findings from studies examining the possible relationship between breastfeeding and health later in life.

Overall, being breastfed was associated with small but favourable differences in several areas of adult health. These included body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, cardiovascular health and certain aspects of cognitive development.

Some studies have found that adults who were breastfed may be slightly less likely to develop overweight, obesity or type 2 diabetes. Others have reported modestly healthier blood pressure or cholesterol levels and possible benefits for learning and intelligence.

How might breastfeeding influence later health?

Several possible explanations have been proposed.

1. Early metabolic programming

Nutrition during early life may influence how the body regulates appetite, stores fat, uses glucose and responds to insulin. These early adaptations could have lasting effects on the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

• Development of the gut microbiome

Breast milk contains beneficial bacteria and special carbohydrates that nourish particular organisms in the baby’s gut. These early microbial communities help shape digestion, immunity and metabolism.

• Support for brain development

Breast milk supplies fats and other nutrients needed for the rapidly developing brain. Breastfeeding also creates opportunities for close physical contact, responsive feeding and interaction between mother and baby, all of which may support development.

• Learning to regulate appetite

During breastfeeding, babies usually have more control over how much milk they consume. This responsiveness to hunger and fullness signals may contribute to healthier appetite regulation as they grow.

Were you breastfed? What does the answer mean for you?

If you were breastfed, you may have received some valuable early health advantages. But these advantages do not make you immune to the effects of an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor sleep or unmanaged health conditions.

If you were not breastfed—or you do not know whether you were—there is no reason to feel that your health was permanently disadvantaged. Your present choices still matter greatly.

Genes, childhood experiences, education, income, access to healthcare, infections, stress, relationships, physical activity and eating habits all contribute to health across the life course. No single early experience determines the whole story.

A healthy beginning can be helpful, but it is not the only opportunity to build a healthier future.

A word of encouragement to mothers and mothers-to-be

If you are pregnant or currently caring for a baby, breastfeeding is one valuable way to give your  child a healthy beginning—and possibly contribute to better health long into the future. Research suggests that its benefits may extend beyond infancy, with potential advantages for growth, brain development, appetite regulation and future metabolic and cardiovascular health.

If possible, prepare for breastfeeding before delivery, begin soon after birth and seek help early if you encounter difficulties. Although breastfeeding is natural, it does not always come easily. Challenges with positioning, attachment,  milk supply, pain, tiredness or returning to work can often be managed with timely, skilled support.

You do not have to navigate the journey alone. Speak with a midwife, lactation professional, dietitian or another appropriately trained healthcare professional. Allow your partner and family to support you by helping with meals, household responsibilities and caring for the baby while you rest.

The World  Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by appropriate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years or beyond. Every breastfeed counts, and every period of breastfeeding can be valuable.

By breastfeeding your baby, you are not only nourishing the child in your arms today. You may also be laying part of the foundation for the healthier adult your child can become tomorrow.

Written by Dr. Laurene Boateng (PhD, RD)
Dr. Laurene Boateng is a Registered Dietitian and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Dietetics, University of Ghana. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of Full Proof Nutrition, a Nutrition Consultancy committed to providing reliable, evidence-based, and practical healthy eating advice through its website www.fullproofnutrition.com.  Click here to join Full Proof Nutrition WhatsApp channel to receive more educative content. Send us a mail on fullproofnutrition@gmail.com. Grab a copy of my book on healthy eating – available now on Selar (Buy HEALTHY EATING MADE SIMPLE by Laurene Boateng on Selar) and Amazon (https://amzn.eu/d/6i9OeVb).

References

Panteris, E., Kakatsaki, I., Galani, O., Koukou, Z., & Hatzidaki, E. (2026). Breastfeeding in infancy and adult health: A narrative review. Children, 13(2), 286.

World Health Organization. Breastfeeding: Overview and recommendations.

More than 1,900 people have died from the virus since that declaration on 15 May, making this the second-worst Ebola outbreak ever.

Infection rates are still high, adding to the concern that the authorities are struggling to get to grips with the spread of the disease.

The epicentre of this outbreak of the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, is in the east of DR Congo where insecurity has hampered control efforts.

There is also no approved vaccine or any recognised therapeutic drugs, making treating Bundibugyo harder.

“We are chasing the virus, the virus is ahead of us,” WHO Africa director Dr Mohamed Janabi said at a news conference in the city of Bunia, which is at the heart of this outbreak.

He cited research showing that the virus started spreading in February and was initially misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid.

Janabi also said that, in part because of insecurity, health workers are only reaching about 30% of the cases with the rest dying at home.

Traditional burial practices – where mourners touch the deceased’s body – and a suspicion of health authorities in some communities have also made things difficult.

But there are now several dedicated treatment centres in the east of DR Congo and people are getting diagnosed much more quickly.

So far there have been 4,294 confirmed cases and 1,960 deaths, DR Congo’s health ministry has said.

The largest recorded outbreak was in West Africa between 2014 and 2016 when 11,325 people died.

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