In the United States, roughly 450,000 people acquire shigellosis each year, which can lead to dysentery.

Historically, this highly contagious bug has mostly been spread through contaminated food or water during travel, and among young children in day care.

But since the turn of the century or so, Shigella bacteria have emerged as a sexually transmitted infection as well.

Shigella infections can make anyone sick, but they are now considered ‘endemic’ in some communities of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).

Several of the strains transmitted in these communities have grown resistant to multiple antibiotics.

Some are now superbugs, on the brink of becoming untreatable.

A recent analysis from the US CDC found that among nearly 17,000 Shigella isolates, versions that were extensively drug-resistant (XDR) rose from 2011 to 2023.

In 2011, isolates that were resistant to five commonly used antibiotics made up 0 percent of the samples. By 2023, they made up 8.5 percent.

The vast majority of these drug-resistant versions had infected adult men, many of whom had not traveled internationally in recent months.

Molecular biologist Shangxin Yang says hospital workers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) are now seeing roughly one case of extensively drug-resistant Shigella a month.

In 2022, by comparison, they saw just one case all year.

“It’s almost like an explosion of this pathogen in the community,” Yang told CIDRAP News at the University of Minnesota.

Sexually transmissible shigellosis was first reported in 1974, but it represented a minority of cases at the time.

Now, emerging evidence suggests that sexual contact is a major route of transmission.

It’s difficult to verify this information, however, as patients and clinicians may not realize that Shigella can be sexually transmitted, and sexual history may not be recorded.

That said, according to US CDC data, more than a third of patients with extensively drug-resistant shigellosis were hospitalized, and nearly half of those with known HIV status had HIV.

“Together, it’s a very concerning pattern of XDR Shigella strains that are being seen among vulnerable populations,” epidemiologist Naeemah Logan from the CDC told CIDRAP News.

“This is by no means unique to the US, but really part of a broader global pattern.”

Geneticist Kate Baker from the University of Cambridge, senior author of a recent study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, has identified a similar surge in the United Kingdom.

“Many men who have sex with men are unaware of the serious and increasing risk posed by sexually transmitted Shigella,” said Baker in a July press release.

“This disease has gone from being relatively treatable with off-the-shelf drugs to being close to untreatable over the course of the last decade or so.”

In March, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that while most cases of Shigella resolve without treatment, more severe cases do require treatment, and “the options available are becoming limited.”

In 2025, 86 percent of Shigella sonnei samples and 94 percent of Shigella flexneri samples tested by UKHSA researchers showed resistance to antibiotics.

These are the two most commonly spread strains through sexual contact among GBMSM in England.

In previous research by Baker and others, up to a third of patients with sexually transmitted Shigella were hospitalized for an average of four to five days.

“This isn’t just one form of sexually transmissible diarrhea,” says Baker.

“This is multiple overlapping variants emerging that are all quickly becoming resistant to the drugs we use to treat them. It’s highly likely that if you contracted your Shigella through sex, you require different treatment to someone who contracted it through travel.”

No one knows why that is, but Baker’s 2026 study points to ‘bystander resistance’ as one driver.

This means that an antibiotic meant for one pathogen may not be the right drug or dose for another present pathogen, thereby breeding resistance as a side effect.

In response to the recent study, Alicia Calvo-Villamañán, a researcher at the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine in Lisbon, Portugal, pointed out an intriguing association.

“When the UK’s national treatment guidelines stopped recommending the use of [azithromycin] to treat gonorrhea infections,” they wrote, “the emergence of azithromycin resistance in Shigella slowed down.”

That doesn’t mean one is causing the other, but it suggests that treating other STIs may be a risk factor for drug-resistant Shigella infections, which aren’t often screened as STIs.

The California Department of Public Health says that the best way to prevent Shigella infection from sex is to not have sex with someone who has had diarrhea in the last two weeks.

Using barriers during oral and anal sex is also advised, as is washing up before and after sex.

To minimize transmission, anyone who suspects they may have Shigella should get tested and seek treatment if necessary.

“Clinicians should be asking patients with dysentery about sexual transmission and giving advice accordingly,” said Daniel Richardson, a consultant in sexual health at University Hospitals Sussex in July.

“They need to know that sexually transmitted Shigella has more antimicrobial resistance than other forms of the disease, and that patients may need checking for other sexually transmissible illnesses.”

Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), Dr Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, disclosed this to journalists in Parliament, saying the project was progressing through a partnership involving local scientific institutions, private manufacturers and an Indonesian pharmaceutical company.

He said the initiative was expected to strengthen Ghana’s domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity and reduce its reliance on imported vaccines.

“Ghana is on track to manufacture the first vaccine in 2027, and that is tetanus-diphtheria vaccine,” Dr Sodzi-Tettey said.

He explained that the National Vaccine Institute had assembled a team of experts from Ghana, including officials from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and private manufacturers, who travelled to Indonesia to facilitate the technology transfer required for local production.

According to him, the team signed a technology transfer agreement and established links between the regulatory authorities of Ghana and Indonesia to support the manufacturing process.

Dr Sodzi-Tettey said the agreement was a critical step towards achieving the country’s vaccine production ambitions, although the associated expenditure might appear in financial records as costs for workshops or meetings.

“If you want to analyse where that falls in a financial statement, it will appear to you as a workshop or as a meeting, but that meeting had been very critical because then it freed up about US$400,000 from the Indonesian government to support the vaccine manufacturing in the country,” he said.

He added that most of the relevant materials had arrived in Ghana, with manufacturing processes now underway at Atlantic Lifesciences Limited.

Partnership drives vaccine production

The CEO said the project was being implemented through a partnership involving the National Vaccine Institute, Atlantic Lifesciences Limited, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and PT Bio Farma of Indonesia.

The collaboration is expected to combine local scientific expertise and manufacturing capacity with technical support from Indonesia to advance Ghana’s efforts to produce vaccines domestically.

Dr Sodzi-Tettey expressed optimism that the partnership would deliver the country’s first locally manufactured tetanus-diphtheria vaccine next year.

“The bulk has arrived in the country; the manufacturing processes are underway at Atlantic Lifesciences. It is a partnership between National Vaccine Institute, Atlantic Lifesciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute and PT Bio Farma of Indonesia, and God willing, next year we should be able to come up with a vaccine,” he said.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to establish a sustainable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem in Ghana, including developing technical expertise, strengthening regulatory capacity and building local production capabilities.

Beyond the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine project, Dr Sodzi-Tettey said the National Vaccine Institute had other plans for seed funding pledged by President John Dramani Mahama.

The planned investments are expected to complement ongoing work with local and international partners as the country seeks to strengthen its position in vaccine research and production.

If the current timeline is achieved, the production of a locally manufactured tetanus-diphtheria vaccine by 2027 would mark a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to develop domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity.

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In a statement issued on October 9, the Ministry said the outbreak follows reports of suspected cases presenting with fever, jaundice, and bleeding in health facilities from September 9 in Sissala West and Wa West. 

Samples were initially tested in the country, and further testing at the WHO-accredited laboratory in Dakar, Senegal, confirmed three cases due to yellow fever. All three cases resulted in deaths despite aggressive management by health staff.

In line with the International Health Regulations (2005) and the National Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has declared a Yellow Fever outbreak in the affected districts.

The Ministry, through the Ghana Health Service, has activated the National and Regional Public Health Emergency Operations Centres and deployed Rapid Response Teams to affected communities for case finding, surveillance, and risk communication.

It is also preparing for a targeted emergency vaccination campaign in affected and at-risk districts, including Wa West, Sissala West, and Sissala East, this month of October.

Other measures include promoting the use of insecticide repellents and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets during the day, strengthening case management at designated health facilities, heightened surveillance across the region, and intensified risk communication and community engagement activities.

The Ministry advised the public to report to the nearest health facility immediately if they experience sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or unusual bleeding.

It also urged the public to eliminate stagnant water around homes, use insecticide-treated nets and mosquito repellents, avoid self-medication, and rely only on official communication from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.

The Ministry called on traditional and religious leaders, the media, civil society, and all citizens to support the national response, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of every person in Ghana.

Also read:

• Yellow fever: Three deaths confirmed, 15 under investigation in Upper West

• Yellow fever response too slow – SEND Ghana tells gov’t

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said health authorities recorded about 450 suspected yellow fever cases across Ghana between June and September 2026, including 74 in the Upper West Region. Three of the cases have so far been confirmed as yellow fever.

Mr Akandoh stressed that suspected cases must undergo laboratory testing before deaths or illnesses can conclusively be attributed to the disease.

Meanwhile, seven deaths have been reported in the Sissala East District in connection with the suspected outbreak, although health authorities are yet to confirm yellow fever as the cause.

The government says it has sent samples to Senegal for further testing and cannot officially declare a yellow fever outbreak until the results are confirmed.

However, Ms Nuamah Agyemang said the response had been too slow, noting that authorities had been receiving reports of suspected cases for about four months while awaiting further laboratory confirmation.

“It has taken us four months till now, and response is too slow. You know, it is lives at stake here,” she said on Joy FM’s Top Story

She said the delay raised concerns about Ghana’s preparedness to respond to public health emergencies.

Ms Nuamah Agyemang acknowledged measures announced by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, including the deployment of a National Rapid Response Team and efforts to strengthen laboratory testing.

However, she questioned why it had taken so long for authorities to mobilise resources and respond to the suspected cases.

She urged the government to streamline emergency funding procedures to enable health authorities to act quickly when outbreaks are suspected.

“When there is an emergency, we should reduce the bureaucracy. We should press the emergency button. We should just have the money and do what we have to do,” she said.

She also cited the 7-1-7 outbreak response framework, saying Ghana must strengthen its preparedness to ensure faster detection, notification and response to health emergencies.

Also read:

• Fumigation must begin immediately to contain suspected yellow fever – SEND Ghana

• Gov’t deploys National Rapid Response Team to Upper West over Yellow fever cases

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says health authorities recorded about 450 suspected yellow fever cases across Ghana between June and September 2026, including 74 in the Upper West Region.

Three of the 74 cases in the Upper West Region have so far been confirmed as yellow fever, according to the Minister, who stressed that suspected cases must undergo laboratory confirmation before illnesses or deaths can conclusively be attributed to the disease.

But Ms Nuamah Agyemang said the delay in fumigating affected communities was worrying, particularly as residents remain concerned about reported deaths and illnesses.

“The fumigation must take place immediately,” she said on Joy FM’s Top Story.

She warned that delays in implementing preventive measures could worsen the situation and increase fear among residents.

“The likelihood that it will worsen the situation is very high,” she said.

Government has sent samples to Senegal for further testing and says it cannot officially declare a yellow fever outbreak until confirmation is received.

Ms Nuamah Agyemang also criticised bureaucratic processes that delay the release of funds during health emergencies, saying government must be able to quickly mobilise resources when urgent interventions are required.

“When there is an emergency, we should reduce the bureaucracy. We should press the emergency button. We should just have the money and do what we have to do,” she said.

Also read:

• Health Minister reveals 450 suspected yellow fever cases recorded since June

• Gov’t deploys National Rapid Response Team to Upper West over Yellow fever cases

The residents say they often rely on motorbikes and tricycles, popularly known as Aboboyaa, to transport patients over distances exceeding 15 miles to health facilities in Asiwa, Bodwesango or the district capital.

They say the situation is particularly challenging during medical emergencies, with poor road conditions making it difficult for vehicles to reach the communities.

In response to the healthcare challenges, a native of the community, Nana Boateng Prosper Ayebida, has cut the sod for the construction of a 50-bed-capacity clinic at Ohwimase.

The proposed facility is expected to provide healthcare services to more than ten communities that currently lack access to a nearby health facility.

Speaking to the media, Nana Boateng Prosper Ayebida called for partnerships between individuals, institutions and the government to improve healthcare delivery, particularly in rural communities.

Meanwhile, Sylvester Agyapong, Deputy Presidential Staffer for the Ashanti Region, has also commented on the development.

According to her, one does not become soulmates overnight; rather, it takes intentionality, effort, and hard work to build a strong relationship with a partner.

She made these remarks while speaking with Nikki Samonas on Joy Prime’s Changes show, where she explained how she has been able to sustain her relationship with her husband, John Benson, over the years.

She said that sometimes, partners need to “fake” certain things to keep the relationship fun and exciting.

 “When you have that connection, you have to work on it. It doesn’t just happen. Some people say, there’s something called soulmate. Listen, anyone could be my soulmate if I put energy into it. So yes, John is my soulmate because we worked towards creating it. That’s why I’m always telling people take your time; don’t rush it. People rush it to find just anybody and even if you do, please take your time and get to know the person; understand what make them tick, what make the sexy. Sometimes, you have to fake it a little bit even if the person is grating, you tell them they’re looking really good.”

She further said that many people are struggling to make their relationships work and are ending them prematurely because they become bored with their partners early in the relationship.

She noted that most couples assume their partners should understand their needs and expectations in the relationship, even when they do not communicate them openly.

“I feel like now a days, relationships end too quickly because nobody wants to create anything; they always go like I’m bored with her so I’m going to get a different lady and that’s what cracks relationships; people don’t understand it. The think the lady should understand because they have high libido. Do you know my libido? Listen, if I had my way, I would sleep with all of you right here,” she explained.

The performer emphasized that both partners need to prioritize each other, never take communication for granted, and always resist the urge to give up on each other or on their love in order to sustain their unions.

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The launch was held at Adamus Resources Limited (ARL) mining car park in the Ellembelle District on Monday October 5, 2026.

It kick starts activities marking this years’ global awareness month from October 1-31 on the theme: “ Every story is unique Every Journey Matters”.

The event was powered by Adamus Ladies Association and jointly hosted by President of the Association Hannah Chemel and Site Doctor of ARL Dr. Abdullah Abass with Dr. Roland Paaga who is Gynaecologist as a guest speaker.

The program brought together female employees of ARL and women from the catchment communities.

Dr. Roland Paaga, in his presentation warned that breast cancer is not exclusive to women.

According to him, mem can also develop the disease and often record higher fatalities because they ignore early signs and report late to health facilities .

Dr. Paaga urged women to practice monthly self breast examination to seek clinical breast examination atleast every six months.

He outlined major risks factors including smoking and shisha , excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet and lack of physical activity.

He further educated participants on the clinical pathway after a lump is detected including full blood count, ultra sound or mammogram and biopsy as well as the three main receptor types -Estrogen, Progesterone and HER2 -which determines treatment option.

He also explained why doctors sometimes recommend the complete removal of the breast even for a small lump, noting that cancer cells could have spread to other parts of the breast tissue.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch, Archangel Kaku Bennet who is the Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Officer of ARL said the initiative forms part of the company’s sustained investment in women’s health and community wellbeing.

He said the company through the Ladies Association has over the years extended health education beyond the mine to basic schools, second cycle institutions and catchment communities sensitizing young girls and women on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health.

Mr. Kaku announced that as part of this years campaign, the team will undertake breast screening and education at Kwame Nkrumah Senior High School at Sein in the Nzema East Municipality for all female students and at Asanta in the Ellembelle district for all women and young women.

The President of Adamus Ladies Association , Hannah Chemel later advised Participants to examine their breast regularly and report any early warning signs to health facilities for prompt attention.

She emphasized that early reporting saves lives and urged women not to resort to self medication or ignore unusual changes in their breasts.

She thanked Participants for attending and reiterated the Association’s commitment to continue championing women’s health in the catchment communities.

Some of the participants after the launch commended Adamus Resources and its Ladies for the initiative.

According to the program was an eye opener for them especially on myths about breast cancer and the need to check the breast regularly instead of hiding lumps due to fear and stigma

They appealed for such programs to be extended to more remote communities in Nzema where access to health information and screening remains a challenge.

He said no Ghanaian should be denied quality healthcare simply because they could not afford the cost of treatment, particularly as the cost of specialised medical care continued to place enormous financial pressure on families.

The Ga Mantse made the call when the Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, led a delegation of the Fund to engage stakeholders in the Greater Accra Region as part of its nationwide sensitisation tour.

According to him, the establishment of the GMTF was a significant intervention, especially for families struggling to meet the rising cost of specialised healthcare.

He urged stakeholders to take full advantage of the opportunities created by the Fund to ensure that vulnerable Ghanaians were not excluded from quality healthcare because of their financial circumstances.

The Ga Mantse also urged the GMTF to explore opportunities to strengthen maternal healthcare, saying such interventions would complement the Fund’s broader efforts to improve healthcare delivery.

‘The Fund must reach the people’ The call comes as the GMTF intensifies its nationwide sensitisation campaign to take its mandate, programmes and interventions closer to communities and key stakeholders.

The Administrator of the Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, said it was important for the GMTF’s message to reach every Ghanaian who had not yet heard about its work.

She said the perception of Greater Accra as a region of opportunities should not mask the harsh realities confronting families caring for relatives living with non-communicable diseases.

“Even here in Greater Accra, families go through enormous difficulties trying to care for relatives suffering from non-communicable diseases,” she said.

She explained that the GMTF was established to bridge critical gaps in healthcare delivery through interventions in medical equipment, financial support, infrastructure and other areas of specialised healthcare.

Ms Darko-Opoku appealed to individuals, businesses and corporate organisations in the region to support the Fund so it could extend its reach and help save more lives.

The Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Robert Amesiya, also called on Ghanaians to “jealously guard” the GMTF, describing it as an important opportunity to strengthen the health system and improve access to critical healthcare services.

He said collective support was essential to ensuring that the Fund achieved its mandate, particularly for people who might otherwise be unable to afford specialised treatment.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, commended President John Dramani Mahama for establishing the GMTF and welcomed the Fund’s decision to embark on a nationwide sensitisation campaign.

She said greater public awareness was critical to ensuring that the Fund’s interventions reached their intended beneficiaries.

She also called for stronger collaboration between the GMTF and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to prevent duplication of interventions and maximise the impact of resources.

She assured the Fund of the support of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council in strengthening collaboration across the region.

The engagement formed part of the GMTF’s nationwide regional sensitisation tour, which seeks to bring the Fund closer to communities, healthcare professionals, traditional authorities and other stakeholders while mobilising broader support for its mandate.

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The Auditor-General cited the officer, Timothy Banzaazi, for allegedly disposing of the vehicles and failing to account for GH¢13,803 generated from the transactions.

Appearing before the PAC, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, said Mr Banzaazi sold the vehicles without informing the appropriate authorities.

He explained that the total amount involved was GH¢13,803, adding that the officer had accounted for proceeds from three of the vehicles while four of the seven vehicles had been returned.

“Honourable Chair, the total amount is GH¢13,803. The amount that I mentioned is for three cars. Four were returned. He was able to return four of the seven cars,” Prof. Kaba Akoriyea told the committee.

He said the matter had been referred to the Police for criminal investigation and possible prosecution.

According to him, the Ghana Health Service also initiated its own disciplinary process, resulting in the officer’s temporary suspension.

The GHS Director-General added that the service had ensured that the full amount involved was recovered.

“We reported him to the police. They are handling it as a criminal case. We used our disciplinary proceedings, and he’s been suspended temporarily. And we made sure that he paid the full amount,” he said.

However, the Ranking Member of the PAC, Samuel Attah-Mills, expressed dissatisfaction with the disciplinary action taken against the officer.

Mr Atta-Mills questioned why Mr Banzaazi was not in custody despite allegedly selling seven state vehicles without approval and failing to account for the proceeds.

“Director-General, I disagree with you on the form of punishment. Here is a guy. He wasn’t supposed to sell these vehicles. He sold them without disclosing to anybody, and he didn’t account for the money,” he said.

“He sold seven of your vehicles, and he’s walking free,” the Ranking Member added.

He further questioned whether a temporary suspension was sufficient disciplinary action given the nature of the allegations brought before the committee.

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Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, Mr Akandoh said the various institutions are still working through the directives issued after the committee completed its work.

He said some institutions have already reached conclusions on their recommendations, particularly the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

The Minister acknowledged that the process has taken some time but said disciplinary action in some cases involves legal considerations.

“Maybe I may have to tell you that in some instances it’s not a straightforward issue, as you said. There are some legal nuances, and that’s the only thing I can add,” he said.

He stressed that the government remains committed to implementing the committee’s findings.

“We are implementing the recommendations of the committee,” he said.

Asked whether the individuals recommended for disciplinary action would eventually be sanctioned, Mr Akandoh responded, “Why not? They are all under the laws of Ghana, and so that’s how far I can go.”

The Charles Amissah case became a major test of Ghana’s emergency healthcare system during the controversy surrounding the “no bed syndrome.”

The government subsequently established a committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the case and make recommendations.

Beyond possible sanctions for individuals, the committee proposed wider reforms to improve emergency care.

These included the creation of a national electronic emergency bed management system, compulsory triage for emergency patients, the integration of the Ghana Armed Forces’ critical care into the national emergency system, and the establishment of a national emergency care fund to cover the first 24 hours of care.

Mr Akandoh said implementation of the bed management system has already begun.

A command centre has been established at Ridge Hospital, with the system being piloted in selected regional and teaching hospitals.

He said the system will give the Ministry visibility over emergency beds and patients occupying them.

The Minister said the system will also help authorities identify patients who remain in emergency units for more than 24 hours, despite claims that no beds are available.

“It will help us to manage the scarce resources,” he said.

He added that hospitals are being equipped with barcoded beds, while ambulance services have also been integrated into the system.

Mr Akandoh said the government is also considering expanding emergency capacity at Korle-Bu, Komfo Anokye, Tamale and 37 Military Hospital.

He said that more than 200 ambulances are currently in service, with plans to add 100 new vehicles in 2027.

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Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said the Upper West Region is receiving particular attention following the confirmation of cases in the area.

Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s Health Sector Update Engagement in Accra, Mr Akandoh said designated sections of district hospitals in affected communities had been isolated to facilitate the management of suspected and confirmed cases.

He added that surveillance had been heightened, while laboratories had been supplied with the necessary reagents to support the testing and confirmation of suspected cases.

“As of yesterday, the suspected cases were around 450 from June to September. Out of that, 74 were from the Upper West, and three were confirmed from Upper West,” he said.

The Minister urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with health authorities as efforts continue to contain the disease and prevent further spread.

“We don’t have to press the panic buttons. So let us, the media, please, let’s handle it well, there are a lot of things that have been deployed.

“The National Rapid Response Team has been deployed to the northern part of the country, especially the Upper West, where we’ve detected cases and we are handling it,” he said.

Mr Akandoh assured the public that the necessary response measures had been activated to manage the situation.

Also read:

• Health Minister reveals 450 suspected yellow fever cases recorded since June

• Sissala East MP raises alarm over seven reported deaths from suspected Yellow Fever outbreak

Of the 74 suspected cases in the Upper West Region, three have so far been confirmed as yellow fever.

Mr Akandoh stressed that suspected cases cannot be conclusively attributed to yellow fever until laboratory tests confirm the disease.

“As of yesterday, the suspected cases were around 450 from June to September. Of those, 74 were from the Upper West, and 3 were confirmed from the Upper West. You see, sometimes the health professionals have a way of determining whether or not a death is attributable to a particular disease, but not until it’s confirmed,” he said.

Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s Health Sector Update Engagement in Accra, the Minister said health authorities had intensified surveillance and response measures, particularly in northern Ghana.

He said laboratories had been provided with the necessary reagents to test and confirm suspected cases, while a National Rapid Response Team had been deployed to the Upper West Region following the confirmation of cases.

According to Mr Akandoh, designated areas at district hospitals had also been isolated to support the management of suspected and confirmed patients.

He appealed to the public and media houses to avoid creating panic, assuring that the government had activated measures to contain the situation.

“We don’t have to press the panic buttons. So the media, please, let’s handle it well; there are a lot of things that have been deployed,” he said.

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• Sissala East MP raises alarm over seven reported deaths from suspected Yellow Fever outbreak

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Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said the system is designed to give authorities real-time visibility of available beds and patients occupying emergency spaces.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, Mr Akandoh said a command centre has been established at the Ridge Hospital to coordinate the system.

“Regarding the bed management system, we have started the pilot. We have the command centre at Ridge Hospital,” he said.

The minister said the system allows him to monitor emergency bed availability from his office.

“I have a screen in my office, so that if Korle-bu says there’s no bed, I’m able to see how many beds are available, how many patients are in the emergency,” he said.

The pilot currently covers selected regional hospitals and teaching hospitals.

Mr Akandoh said the system would also track how long patients remain in emergency wards.

He explained that this would allow authorities to question prolonged stays, particularly where hospitals report a shortage of beds.

“If you’ve been there for more than 24 hours, and they see you are still there, and they say there is no bed. I will be able to ask questions because there’s a whole command centre in charge of that,” he said.

The minister said the system is not intended to create additional beds but to improve the management of existing capacity.

“So this system will not necessarily add more beds, but it will help us to manage the scarce resources, so that one patient will not be on one bed at emergency for more hours or another,” he said.

The government is also expanding emergency capacity at major hospitals, including Korle-Bu, Komfo Anokye, Tamale and 37 Military Hospital.

At Korle-Bu, Mr Akandoh said the emergency unit currently has about 67 beds, compared with more than 1,000 beds across the hospital.

He said a 400-bed facility is being constructed as part of a wider redevelopment project.

“The contractor is on site as I speak to you now. So we call it a hospital within a hospital,” he said.

The minister said the teaching hospitals and regional hospitals are already participating in the system.

He added that beds have been barcoded and designated commanders at each facility are responsible for entering data into the system.

“Yes, the beds have barcodes, and there are commanders at each facility to be putting the data in at every moment,” he said.

The ambulance service has also been integrated into the system to help determine where patients should be sent.

Mr Akandoh said more than 200 ambulances are currently functioning after the government insured all its ambulances in 2025.

He said the government plans to add 100 new ambulances in 2027 to replenish the fleet.

“We are going to add 100 brand-new vehicles,” he said.

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The Omanhene said the establishment of the Fund and the work it was undertaking to expand access to specialised healthcare represented some of the most encouraging developments he had heard about in a long time.

“There is hope for the future,” Osbarima Kwasi Atta II declared when the Administrator of the

GMTF, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, paid a courtesy call on him in Cape Coast.

The meeting formed part of the second day of the Fund’s sensitisation tour of the Central Region, which is aimed at taking the GMTF’s mandate, interventions and message to communities and key stakeholders across the country.

‘I will help spread the message’

The Oguaa Omanhene pledged the support of traditional authorities in promoting awareness of the GMTF and ensuring that information about its interventions reached people who needed help.

He said traditional leaders had a critical role to play in connecting communities to initiatives capable of improving their lives, particularly vulnerable families who might not know where to turn when confronted with serious medical conditions.

“I will help spread the message,” Osbarima Kwasi Atta II assured the Administrator, adding that he was ready to support efforts to ensure that more people became aware of the Fund and its interventions.

He also urged the management of the GMTF not to be distracted by criticism or opposition, but to remain focused on its mandate and the lives it had been established to improve.

He said initiatives designed to bring relief to Ghanaians facing difficult circumstances deserved support and encouragement.

Praise for President Mahama

The Omanhene expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for the vision behind the establishment of the GMTF, saying the initiative had the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of families

struggling with serious illnesses and the financial burden of specialised treatment.

He said the Fund offered renewed hope to people who might otherwise be overwhelmed by the cost of accessing critical healthcare.

The endorsement by the Oguaa Omanhene adds the voice of traditional leadership to the GMTF’s growing stakeholder support as the Fund intensifies its nationwide sensitisation campaign.

The campaign seeks to deepen public understanding of the Fund’s mandate and interventions while ensuring that Ghanaians, particularly those living with chronic and serious diseases, know where and how to seek support.

The courtesy call on the Oguaa Omanhene was one of several stakeholder engagements undertaken by the GMTF Administrator and her team during the Central Regional leg of the tour.

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He attributed the growth to measures introduced by the government to strengthen the scheme, including the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Levy to increase funding.

Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s Sector Update Engagement in Accra on Wednesday, October 7, Mr Akandoh said the additional resources had improved the financial capacity of the NHIS.

“We’re strengthening what we have come to meet. We took the NHIS from 57%; as I speak to you now, it’s about 70%. In a matter of less than two years,” he said.

The Minister said funding for the scheme had also increased significantly, rising from about GH¢6.5 billion in 2024 to GH¢9.8 billion in 2025.

He explained that the increased funding had enabled government to raise payments to healthcare providers by an average of 50 per cent.

According to Mr Akandoh, the adjustment was aimed at reducing delays in settling claims owed to healthcare facilities and ensuring providers have the resources to continue serving NHIS beneficiaries.

He said improving the financial position of the scheme and ensuring timely payments to service providers were essential to maintaining the quality and accessibility of healthcare.

Mr Akandoh maintained that the interventions formed part of government’s broader efforts to strengthen the NHIS and make healthcare more accessible to Ghanaians without placing unnecessary financial burdens on beneficiaries.

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Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, Stephanie Benson said the decision to undergo a double mastectomy was not easy, particularly because her left breast was affected and reconstruction presented several complications.

She revealed that she spent about 34 hours in and out of surgery and came close to losing her life during the difficult process.

“When I found out I had to remove both breasts, it wasn’t an easy process. I was in surgery for about 34 hours, and I almost died. It was a tough journey,” she said.

Stephanie further recounted a frightening incident after one of her surgeries, when fluid began building up in her chest and she struggled to breathe.

According to her, a Malaysian nurse who was nearby noticed that something had gone seriously wrong and immediately alerted the doctors, who had already left for the day.

“There was a Malaysian nurse sitting next to me. At that time, all the doctors had closed and had gone home. She noticed that something had gone wrong. It looked like I was going in and out of death. She called the doctors and started praying.

“She prayed for an hour until the doctor came, and they rushed me back and cleared the muscle from my stomach. They removed a bone from my chest. It was terrible,” she said.

“I was in surgery for about 34 hours to have my breast removed, and I almost died.” — @StephanieBLive #DaybreakHitz #Hitz1039FM #JoyDigital #HitzBeachRave https://t.co/NLKldCxyVY

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) October 7, 2026

Stephanie said she considered herself fortunate to have survived the ordeal but remained optimistic throughout her recovery.

“I was very lucky to come out, but I was very optimistic. Two days later, I was getting up, going to the other ladies who had their breasts removed to put them up, be excited, because a lot of women were depressed and very sad that they had had their breasts removed,” she said.

The singer explained that having her children around during her recovery also strengthened her resolve to focus on life rather than mourn the loss of her breasts.

“I had my children in my room chatting. I just felt that God has given me a chance. I wasn’t going to be worried about my breast not being there. I was going to live. It’s much more important than grieving breasts. Holding onto breast killed my mother,” she said.

Stephanie said the experience has since shaped her mission to help women feel more comfortable with their bodies, particularly those battling cancer.

“So since then, my job has been to help women be more comfortable with their bodies, especially when they are going through cancers, and to make the decisions for themselves to stay alive for their children, not for somebody else,” she added.

Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, she said people often overlook the long-term consequences of what she described as “quick fixes” and encouraged women to start taking care of their bodies from a young age.

“Exercise is great. People take it for granted. Nowadays, people are too quick to do the quick fixes. They don’t think about the future and how it is going to be for them when they are a lot older, and they need to be mindful about that, because those quick fixes don’t work. It won’t help you.”

She said people must consider how their decisions about their bodies today could affect their health and mobility as they grow older.

“For your buttocks to be more bigger, so when you turn 50, how are you going to walk like? If the men didn’t like bigger buttocks, it wouldn’t trigger the ladies to go for quick fixes.”

According to Stephanie Benson, societal expectations and the desire to appeal to men can influence some women to pursue cosmetic procedures.

“Those quick fixes won’t help you. Imagine making your buttocks excessively large—when you’re 50, how will you be able to walk?” – @StephanieBLive #DaybreakHitz #Hitz1039FM #JoyDigital #HitzBeachRave https://t.co/mrpFYixaGl

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) October 7, 2026

“Me, my buttocks is flat, so if you look, will you come close to me? I’m exercising now, so it looks like it is increasing in size nowadays.”

She used herself as an example, explaining that regular exercise has helped her achieve changes in her body without resorting to cosmetic surgery.

Stephanie Benson said her physique is largely the result of years of hard work and discipline, rather than cosmetic surgery.

“When people say, ‘Stephanie, I want to be like you,’ I’m thinking it’s the hard work that I put into myself, right from the very young age, that is important. You have to start at some point. So somebody says, ‘I’m going to be like you when I’m 60 years,’ you have to start now. It doesn’t happen that way.”

She stressed that maintaining a healthy and fit body is a long-term commitment that requires people to begin making the necessary lifestyle changes early.

“So, I think people make a lot of assumptions that, at my age, looking and feeling the way I feel, I have done some kind of surgery. But I have never had liposuction or anything like that before. The only surgery I have had is when I had a mastectomy from cancer. Otherwise, everything is pure hard work and discipline.”

She dismissed speculation that she has undergone cosmetic surgery, attributing her appearance instead to years of discipline and consistent effort.

“Discipline is everything. What I eat is important to me. I eat everything, though, but only in moderation.”

She added that she does not deprive herself of food but focuses on moderation as part of her approach to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, she said society often gives men greater freedom in relationships while underestimating women’s capacity to manage multiple partners.

“If I could bring that back so women to have more than one husband, that will be the ideal situation. I think it’s about time we had more than one husband, yes, because Stephanie Bensonified marriages,” he said.

She believes marriage should be reconsidered in ways that recognise women’s capabilities and choices.

“I think it’s important because men underestimate women. They think they are the only ones who need more than one woman, but a true woman, our juices, it flows by far more than that. It is only because we are dedicated and loyal. That’s why we stay with one man,” she said

According to Stephanie Benson, women’s loyalty to one partner should not be interpreted as a limitation on their ability to have multiple relationships.

“I think it’s about time women have more than one husband.” — @StephanieBLive Details Here: https://t.co/6WTm97CKer #DaybreakHitz #Hitz1039FM #JoyDigital #HitzBeachRave https://t.co/WVTiMfRGJK

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) October 7, 2026

“But if that rule was there, listen, we can satisfy a multitude of men. Intellectual satisfaction for the man is there; we can support, and we can look after how many children? So why can’t we have two, three men? I mean, I can.”

She argued that women are equally capable of providing emotional, intellectual, and practical support within multiple relationships.

At the beginning, everything can feel almost perfect. They call often, pay attention to the little things, make you feel special and seem willing to do anything to keep you happy. Then, slowly, things begin to change.

The jokes become insults. Concern starts looking like control. Questions about where you are become demands to know your every move. Friends you once spoke to freely suddenly become “bad influences”, and before you realise it, you are spending more time explaining yourself than enjoying the relationship.

So how do you know when you are dealing with a toxic partner, and at what point should you stop hoping things will change and walk away?

Counsellor Adofoli, speaking on Joy Prime’s Changes, says one of the first things people should pay attention to is how a potential partner treats other people.

It is easy to be impressed by how someone treats you when they are trying to win your heart. But watch how they speak to the waiter who gets their order wrong, how they treat their friends, how they speak to their family and how they behave towards people they do not need anything from.

That, according to Adofoli, can tell you much more about a person’s character than the romantic treatment you are receiving in the early days.

Someone may be incredibly sweet to you because they want you to fall in love with them. But if they are routinely rude, insulting or cruel to everyone else, it is worth asking yourself why you believe you will always be the exception.

“I’m not saying my spouse is a bad person. He’s a good person,” is often how people in troubled relationships begin explaining their situation, Adofoli noted. They may genuinely love their partners and believe there is a good person underneath the behaviour that is hurting them.

That is what can make toxic relationships so complicated.

The person who hurts you may also be the person who makes you laugh, buys you gifts, apologises afterwards and promises that it will never happen again. Those good moments can make it difficult to accept that the relationship itself has become unhealthy.

Then there is manipulation.

One of the most damaging forms is gaslighting, where a partner makes you question your own feelings, memory or understanding of what happened. Instead of accepting responsibility for their behaviour, they turn the situation around until you begin wondering whether you were actually the problem.

You may start hearing things like, “You made me do this,” or “You are too sensitive,” until you begin doubting yourself. And when that happens repeatedly, something else can happen: you start losing your support system.

A controlling partner may gradually convince you that your closest friends and relatives do not really care about you. They may discourage certain friendships, create conflict between you and your family or make you feel guilty whenever you seek advice from people outside the relationship.

Eventually, you have fewer people to talk to, and that can make leaving feel almost impossible.

Adofoli explained that victims can become trapped by fear, asking themselves what will happen if they leave, where they will go and whether they will be able to cope on their own.

Sometimes, the question is not whether they know the relationship is hurting them. They know. The difficult part is finding the courage and support to do something about it.

And this is where the question of when to leave becomes complicated.

There is no magic number of months or years after which someone is expected to walk away. People stay for different reasons. There may be children involved. There may be financial dependence, emotional attachment, family pressure or simply the hope that the person they fell in love with will eventually return.

But there is a difference between going through a difficult period in a relationship and repeatedly being harmed by the person you are supposed to feel safe with.

If you are constantly walking on eggshells because you are afraid of your partner’s reaction, that is a warning sign.

If you are being insulted, humiliated, controlled or deliberately isolated from the people who care about you, that should not be dismissed as simply “relationship problems”.

And when physical violence enters the picture, it should never be normalised because the person apologised afterwards or promised to change.

A relationship does not become healthy simply because the abusive episode is followed by flowers, affection or an emotional apology.

For some people, the decision to leave may take years. Others may recognise the signs much earlier. What matters is understanding that there is no prize for enduring pain indefinitely in the hope that someone else will change.

Sometimes, the hardest part is accepting that the person you love may not be willing to become the person you need them to be.

Walking away is not always easy, and it is not always something that can be done overnight. But recognising the signs, talking to people you trust and rebuilding a support system can be the beginning of taking back control.

Because a healthy relationship should give you room to be yourself. You should not have to become smaller, quieter, more isolated or more afraid just to keep someone you love.

And perhaps one of the clearest signs that something is wrong is when you spend more time trying to survive the relationship than enjoying it.

To examine the breast, stand in front of a mirror and visually check for any unusual changes in its appearance. You can then divide the breast into four sections, using the nipple as the centre point. Using the pads of your fingers rather than the fingertips, gently press the breast against the chest wall while moving your fingers in small circular motions.

Take your time to examine each of the four sections, making sure you cover the entire breast. You should also gently examine the nipple and the darker area around it, known as the areola.

For women with larger or less firm breasts, the examination can be done while lying down. This allows the breast tissue to spread more evenly across the chest, making it easier to feel the tissue. The same four-section method can then be used, moving the pads of the fingers in small circular motions across each section.

The important thing is not simply to look for a lump. Pay attention to anything that feels different from what is normal for you, including a new lump, thickening or unusual change in the breast tissue.

For women with breast implants, however, self-examination can be more difficult because it may not always be easy for an untrained person to distinguish the implant from the surrounding breast tissue.

In such cases, it may be advisable to have a healthcare professional demonstrate the appropriate examination technique or conduct the examination.

Self-examination should not replace professional breast screening or a medical assessment of any concerning change.

The MP said the situation is worrying, following reports from community leaders that seven residents have died, with children and young people reportedly among those affected.

Speaking in an interview on the Joy FM Midday News on Tuesday, October 6, Mr Issa Bataglia said he immediately contacted the Sissala East Municipal Health Directorate after receiving a report from the chief of one of the affected communities.

“It’s quite worrying because I got a report from the chief of this place, informing me of the fact that they have lost most of their people.”

He said he subsequently sought clarification from the Municipal Health Director to determine whether the situation had come to the attention of health authorities and what could be responsible for the reported deaths.

“I quickly had to ask the municipal director whether that has come to their attention, or what might be the cause.”

The MP said he also sought information on whether additional public education was needed to help residents understand and respond to the situation.

His comments come amid reports of at least seven deaths in the municipality, with the affected communities calling for urgent intervention from health authorities.

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Administrator of the GMTF, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, said the painful sacrifices being made by families showed that, despite progress in specialised healthcare financing, the country could not afford to become complacent.

“There are still patients waiting. There are still hospitals without critical equipment. There are still regions without sufficient specialists. There are still families selling property, borrowing money and exhausting their savings to keep loved ones alive,” she said.

Ms. Darko-Opoku was speaking at “One Year On – An Evening of Reflection,” organised by the GMTF to mark its first year of operations and engage specialist doctors, medical directors and other stakeholders on the future of specialised healthcare in Ghana.

She said the first year had demonstrated both the potential of the Fund and the enormity of the challenge ahead.

Not just about paying bills

According to her, GMTF’s first year had taught the Fund that simply paying medical bills was not enough to address the country’s specialised healthcare needs.

“If we pay for a patient’s treatment but the hospital does not have the equipment, the infrastructure or the specialist to provide that treatment, then we have not solved the problem,” she said.

She said the Fund had, therefore, adopted a broader approach built around four interconnected areas; financial support for eligible patients; medical equipment and infrastructure; specialist training and human-capacity development; and research and innovation in non-communicable diseases.

US$10m diagnostic centre

One of the major interventions is the development of a US$10 million modern diagnostic and imaging centre at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital in collaboration with KGL Group.

The centre is expected to provide advanced CT, MRI, mammography and fluoroscopy services, significantly improving the country’s diagnostic capacity.

The GMTF is also supporting the expansion of cardiology services at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital, as part of efforts to decentralise specialised care.

The interventions complement the restoration of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, following the fire that disrupted services at the facility.

‘Where you live should not determine whether you live’

Ms. Darko-Opoku said one of the Fund’s most important objectives was to break the concentration of specialised healthcare in Accra and Kumasi.

She said patients in the northern and other parts of the country should not have to undertake long and costly journeys to access life-saving treatment that should be available closer to home.

“A patient in Tamale should not automatically have to travel to Accra to access life-saving specialised treatment,” she said.

The GMTF boss said GMTF was committed to building a system in which geography and financial circumstances would no longer determine who gets access to specialised care.

50-patient pilot

The Fund commenced its patient-support programme with a 50-patient pilot across the country to test its referral, clinical verification, claims processing and payment systems before scaling up.

The pilot covered patients requiring cardiovascular interventions, cancer treatment and other complex specialised procedures.

Ms. Darko-Opoku said the pilot had provided important lessons that were now informing the expansion of the programme.

She also acknowledged challenges encountered with the GMTF Care digital platform, including technical adjustments and areas requiring refinement, but said the system was now operational and being strengthened.

‘Where are the specialists?’

The uneven distribution of specialist doctors remains another major concern. Ms. Darko-Opoku said Ghana must stop measuring specialist capacity merely by the number of doctors available and begin asking where those doctors were located.

 “Our long-term objective is not simply to count how many specialists Ghana has. It is to ask: Where are they?”

She said GMTF would continue to work with professional colleges and training institutions to expand specialist training, particularly in areas where critical shortages exist.

The objective, she said, was to ensure that specialist expertise reached communities across the country instead of remaining concentrated in a few urban centres.

Second year to be bigger

As the Fund enters its second year, Ms. Darko-Opoku said the emphasis would shift from building systems to strengthening, expanding and deepening their impact.

GMTF will continue work on its Medicines List and Tariff Manual to promote transparency, standardisation and accountability in healthcare financing.

The Administrator also called on specialist doctors, medical directors and other health professionals to play a direct role in shaping the Fund’s future interventions.

She said their clinical expertise was essential to ensuring that GMTF investments addressed the most pressing needs of patients and health facilities.

“We cannot become comfortable,” she stressed.

The next chapter of GMTF, she said, “must be even more ambitious than the first.”

For the Fund, the ultimate goal is simple but profound: to build a healthcare system in which a Ghanaian family does not have to sell its home, borrow beyond its means or exhaust a lifetime of savings simply because a loved one needs specialised medical care.

The battle, Ms. Darko-Opoku said, is not over. The second year of GMTF must therefore be about going further, reaching more patients, strengthening more hospitals and bringing life-saving specialised care closer to every Ghanaian.

The Minister said the fund, within just one year of operation, had demonstrated that strategic collaboration between government, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders could make a significant difference in addressing some of the country’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

The Health Minister made the assessment at a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the GMTF, held under the theme “One Year On – An Evening of Reflection.”

The event brought together specialist doctors, medical directors, healthcare professionals and other key stakeholders to reflect on the Fund’s journey and achievements during its first year.

“Within just one year, the Fund has exceeded expectations,” the Minister declared, commending the management of the GMTF, specialist doctors, medical directors and healthcare professionals for their commitment to the Fund’s mandate.

He said the progress made by the GMTF represented an important step in Ghana’s quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), particularly by removing financial barriers that prevent many Ghanaians from accessing specialised medical care.

A new pathway to specialised care

According to the Minister, the GMTF was becoming an important instrument through which government was strengthening the country’s response to complex and chronic health conditions and improving access to specialised treatment.

He said the Fund’s achievements in its first year underscored the importance of bringing key actors in the health sector together to develop practical solutions to healthcare challenges.

Mr. Akandoh, however, urged medical experts and other stakeholders to maintain honesty, transparency and accountability in their engagements with government to ensure that the resources and interventions provided through the Fund achieved their intended purpose.

He called on medical practitioners to work closely with government and the GMTF to improve health outcomes and ensure that interventions translated into tangible benefits for ordinary Ghanaians.

Make GMTF more visible

The Minister also challenged the management of the GMTF to intensify public education and make the Fund more visible and accessible to Ghanaians.

He said it was not enough for interventions to be available; citizens needed to understand what the Fund offered, who qualified for support and how they could access it.

Greater public awareness, he noted, would ensure that the Fund’s specialised healthcare interventions reached more people who needed them most.

Building on NHIS

Hon. Akandoh further disclosed that government was strengthening the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as part of broader efforts to make healthcare more accessible, responsive and sustainable.

He said the NHIS, together with complementary interventions such as the GMTF, formed part of government’s wider strategy to remove barriers to quality healthcare and move Ghana closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage.

The Minister therefore urged stakeholders across the health sector to sustain the collaboration, professionalism and commitment that had characterised the Fund’s first year.

He said the ultimate measure of the GMTF’s success must be its ability to change lives, save lives and ensure that no Ghanaian is denied access to specialised healthcare because of financial constraints.

According to President Mahama, increased investment in healthcare can drive economic growth, create jobs, strengthen human capital and support macroeconomic stability across the continent.

He made the call at the Health Plenary of the Alamein Africa Forum in Egypt.

President Mahama said African finance ministers and global investors have for years treated healthcare as a social expenditure that should be funded only when resources are available.

“African finance ministers and global investors have made a fundamental error. They have treated health as a line-item cost and a social expenditure in their budgets to be funded only when there is money left over,” he said.

He urged stakeholders to move away from that approach, arguing that healthcare has significant economic potential.

“Health is not a charitable cost. It is an investable high-growth economic sector. It drives human capital, manufacturing, job creation, and macroeconomic stability,” President Mahama stated.

He cited research by the Copenhagen Consensus, which he said found that a targeted package of basic emergency, maternal and newborn care could generate $87 in economic and social returns for every dollar invested.

He also referenced the Lancet Commission, saying declining mortality rates accounted for nearly a quarter of total income growth in developing economies in the early 2000s.

“And so investing in healthcare strengthens our balance sheets rather than depleting resources,” he added.

Africa’s pharmaceutical gap

President Mahama also drew attention to Africa’s heavy dependence on imported medicines and vaccines, describing the situation as both a challenge and an opportunity for domestic investment.

“Africa imports over 70% of its pharmaceuticals and nearly 99% of its vaccines. Each year tens of billions of dollars leave African economies to purchase medicines and vaccines from abroad,” he said.

He noted that the situation is being compounded by declining traditional donor assistance, citing OECD projections that health aid could fall by between 29% and 46% compared with 2024 levels.

President Mahama said the decline in donor support should prompt African countries to mobilise domestic private capital and strengthen local pharmaceutical production.

“The situation presents not only a crisis but also a significant market opportunity for domestic private capital,” he said.

He identified Africa’s growing population as one of the key factors supporting the business case for local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

According to him, Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, while demand for essential medicines, chronic disease management and biologics continues to grow.

President Mahama said African countries must therefore position healthcare and pharmaceutical manufacturing as strategic sectors capable of retaining more economic value on the continent while creating jobs and strengthening health security.

The exercise is scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. GMT, according to a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Tony Goodman.

The vacancies span teaching hospitals, facilities under the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and the Ghana Health Service.

Nursing positions account for 429 of the vacancies, comprising 266 posts in teaching hospitals, 133 in CHAG facilities and 30 under the Ghana Health Service.

The remaining 36 vacancies are for pharmacy professionals, including five pharmacist positions and 31 pharmacist technician positions.

The ministry said the recruitment exercise is intended to replace applicants who failed to report to the facilities and districts to which they had been posted.

“The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the general public and all prospective applicants that it will undertake a nationwide mop-up recruitment exercise to replace applicants who have refused to report to their various selected districts and facilities,” the statement said.

Interested applicants have been directed to submit their applications through the ministry’s recruitment portal, mohrrecruitment.com.

Applicants who require assistance may contact the ministry on 0557208487 or 0557385895.

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According to President Mahama, Africa’s health transformation cannot be achieved through isolated national interventions but requires countries to coordinate their markets, regulations, investment frameworks and industrial capacities.

He said the continent must create an environment in which health products can move efficiently across borders and manufacturers can access markets beyond their home countries.

“To turn these isolated successes into a continental ecosystem, we must eliminate regulatory and financial friction,” President Mahama said.

He argued that the African Continental Free Trade Area provided an important framework for creating a larger market for African pharmaceutical manufacturers and encouraging investment in production capacity.

The President said Ghana was deploying dedicated task forces and a Reform Interlock Observatory through the Accra Reset Presidential Council to monitor capital flows, enforce policy commitments and identify non-tariff barriers affecting regional value chains.

He said such mechanisms were necessary to ensure that political commitments translated into practical opportunities for businesses and investors.

President Mahama also challenged African regulators to accelerate the operationalisation of the African Medicines Agency.

“How quickly can we operationalise the African Medicines Agency to ensure a single drug approval opens the doors to all 54 AU member states?” he asked.

He said regulatory harmonisation would be critical to creating a truly integrated continental pharmaceutical market and attracting the scale of investment required to build competitive African industries.

Dubbed Kingsley Maternal Care, the initiative is intended to help expectant mothers access the care and support they need for safe delivery.

Dr Agyemang announced the programme during the outdooring ceremony of Barimah Ofori Akari Opare Ahuntahunu II, the Kyebi Pano Chief, at the Kyebi Pano Presbyterian Basic School Park on September 28, 2026.

“It’s your time as a pregnant woman in Abuakwa South Constituency. I’m coming to support you massively to deliver safely. This is dubbed Kingsley Maternal Care,” he said.

The planned rollout follows preparations for the broader Kingsley Health Cares Programme, which has involved engagements with the Abuakwa South Municipal Health Directorate.

Apedwa has been identified as the venue for the programme’s launch, although details of the specific benefits and eligibility requirements for the maternal care initiative are yet to be outlined.

The initiative adds to a series of interventions Dr Agyemang has pursued in education, healthcare and youth development since becoming MP for the constituency.

In education, 418 tertiary students from the constituency received GH¢808,939.13 in tuition and other academic-related support for the 2025/2026 academic year.

The beneficiaries came from all 24 electoral areas and 118 polling stations and attended 74 tertiary institutions across the country.

Dr Agyemang has also supported basic education through the Kingsley Maths and Science Quiz and the Kingsley Spelling Challenge, which seek to improve academic performance and encourage pupils to develop an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

In 2026, the Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Comfort Ofori-Appiah, credited the annual competitions with contributing to improvements in pupils’ academic performance, reading proficiency and confidence.

The MP’s education interventions have also extended to medical training. In July 2026, 20 students associated with the Kingsley Quiz initiative graduated as medical doctors in Cuba after receiving scholarships to study medicine.

They are expected to return to Ghana and contribute to the country’s health sector.

In August 2026, Dr Agyemang supported Kyebi Government Hospital with medical equipment and consumables, including suction machines, electronic weighing scales, pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, patient monitors and wheelchairs.

He also paid the medical bills of in-patients at the facility as part of the intervention.

His other development initiatives include the construction of a floodlit AstroTurf facility at St Stephen’s Presbyterian Senior High Technical School to improve access to sporting and physical activities for students and residents.

The proposed Kingsley Maternal Care initiative is expected to extend the MP’s stated focus on healthcare and social support to pregnant women in Abuakwa South.

The Society made the call as it announced its theme for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, popularly known as Pinktober, 2026: “Early Action, Better Outcomes.”

According to the Society, breast cancer remains a major health challenge in Ghana and is the leading cause of cancer and cancer deaths among women.

It said while early breast cancer is curable, many patients continue to seek treatment when the disease has already advanced, making treatment more prolonged, expensive and less likely to result in survival.

The Society noted that Ghana has the specialist expertise and treatment facilities needed to manage breast cancer, adding that the country has become a hub for specialist care in the West African subregion.

It said the survival rate for early breast cancer treated in Ghana is above 90%, comparable to outcomes in developed countries.

However, the Society expressed concern that many survivors are unable to openly share their experiences because of the stigma associated with the disease.

It identified limited awareness, fear, stigma, misinformation, financial difficulties, geographical barriers and delays within the healthcare system as some of the factors contributing to late diagnosis and treatment.

The Society urged women not to ignore breast symptoms such as lumps, nipple discharge, changes in the shape or size of the breast, skin changes or any persistent abnormality.

It, however, stressed that the best opportunity for early diagnosis is through breast screening before symptoms develop.

The Breast Society of Ghana is therefore encouraging women to take advantage of free primary healthcare services and access breast screening at health facilities across the country.

It also called for an end to misconceptions that breast cancer is a spiritual curse or that unproven remedies can replace medical treatment.

“No woman should delay seeking medical attention because she is afraid of losing her breast, fears chemotherapy, believes breast cancer is a spiritual curse, or relies solely on unproven remedies,” the Society said.

The Society called on families and communities to support rather than stigmatise people living with breast cancer.

It further urged the media, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations and community leaders to use their platforms to promote accurate information and encourage early care-seeking.

Healthcare professionals and institutions were also urged to strengthen systems that minimise avoidable delays by promptly assessing, investigating and referring patients with breast symptoms.

The Society referenced the World Health Organisation’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative targets established in 2021, which seek to have at least 60% of breast cancers diagnosed at an early stage, complete diagnosis within 60 days, and ensure that 80% of diagnosed patients complete treatment.

It said achieving these targets would require a collective effort from individuals, families, communities, religious bodies, healthcare institutions, policymakers and government agencies.

The Society said early action could lead to earlier diagnosis, which in turn could expand treatment options and improve the chances of cure and survival.

“Early Action. Better Outcomes. The time to act is now,” the Society said.

The message was signed by the President of the Breast Society of Ghana, Prof. Josephine Nsaful, and General Secretary, Ms Enam Setsoafia.

Read the statement below:

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The directive follows the Minister’s inspection of the 120-bed facility, which has commenced operations and is being developed as a specialised referral centre for children.

Mr Akandoh said the additional personnel were necessary to support the hospital as it expands its services from outpatient and emergency care to inpatient services.

“The hospital has about 120-bed capacity, and it’s now in operation. I came to see first-hand how the place is working, and so far, I am impressed with what I’ve seen,” he said.

“I have directed that with immediate effect, they should bring an additional 10 medical doctors and 30 nurses and midwives to beef up the health workforce. This is a referral centre, and I think it is the first of its kind as a stand-alone children’s referral centre,” he added.

According to the Minister, most of the equipment required to operate the facility has been installed, allowing management to progressively expand the range of services available.

He said the hospital was currently providing outpatient and emergency services while preparations were underway to fully introduce inpatient care.

Mr Akandoh also charged the hospital’s management and health workers to maintain the facility properly and ensure that patients and their families are treated with dignity and respect.

“We have also impressed upon them to make sure they keep the facility well, maintain it and try to treat the patients with respect and dignity,” he said.

He added that the Ministry would continue to monitor the hospital closely because of its importance to healthcare delivery in the country.

The Minister said the government was working to resolve outstanding issues between the state and the contractor, stressing that the immediate priority was to ensure the facility serves its intended purpose.

“As far as I’m concerned, the issues between government and the contractor are being resolved. What is important is that the facility is put to good use for the citizens, and that is what we are doing at the moment,” he said.

He expressed satisfaction that the facility was now operational, saying the government’s focus was to ensure it becomes fully functional and provides the specialised services for which it was established.

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The Directorate is urging the public, particularly women, to overcome fear, stigma and misconceptions surrounding breast cancer and seek medical attention promptly.

The Acting Deputy Director of Public Health at the Directorate, Dr Hectoria Awekeya, made the call on behalf of the Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Atsu Dodor.

This was in an interview with Adom News during the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month national launch, sensitisation and screening programme in Ho.

The event, held at the GNAT Hall, was organised under the theme “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters,” with the sub-theme “United for a Breast Cancer-Free Ghana: Early Detection, Early Action, Better Outcomes.”

Dr Awekeya stressed the importance of addressing the fear, stigma and myths associated with breast cancer, noting that delayed presentation can affect treatment outcomes.

She encouraged the public to take advantage of free breast cancer screening services and seek medical attention whenever they notice unusual changes in their breasts.

According to her, early detection and timely intervention are critical to tackling the disease, while increased public awareness is needed to help reduce preventable deaths.

The Directorate is, therefore, calling on individuals, families and communities to support breast cancer awareness and screening initiatives to promote a culture of early detection.

The campaign forms part of broader efforts to increase awareness, encourage regular screening and reduce late presentation among people suspected of having breast cancer.

Trustee of Mercy Ships, Dame Anne Gloag, disclosed the target during the organisation’s engagement with President John Dramani Mahama aboard the Global Mercy at the Tema Harbour.

She said about 200 patients had already undergone surgery, with the mission expected to reach thousands more during its stay in Ghana. Procedures include cataract surgeries, cleft lip and palate repairs, tumour removals and childhood orthopaedic operations.

President Mahama said the impact of the mission went beyond the medical procedures themselves, particularly for children whose conditions had affected their confidence and participation in everyday life.

“You can imagine that child going back. He has been the butt of jokes of his friends because he has got curved legs or clubfoot or something like that and when he leaves this ship and goes back, he is going to be on that football field with his friends playing like any ordinary child,” he said.

The President also called for the mission to leave a lasting benefit for Ghana’s health system through skills transfer and stronger follow-up care.

He urged the Ministry of Health to work with Mercy Ships on patient referrals, rehabilitation and continued treatment after the vessel leaves Ghana, stressing: “A patient’s care must continue safely even after Global Mercy has left.”

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said government would work to maximise the benefits of the ship’s 10-month stay, including support for emergency cases and post-surgery care.

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The latest intervention, under the GMTF’s “Day of Giving” initiative, is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the beneficiary facilities to diagnose conditions promptly, respond to emergencies and provide quality care to patients.

The equipment delivered includes ultrasound machines, oxygen concentrators, an oxygen plant, X-ray machines and printers, responding to identified needs at the various facilities.

The beneficiary hospitals are the Volta Regional Hospital, Sefwi-Wiawso Government Hospital, Bole Municipal Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Worawora Government Hospital, Wa Municipal Hospital, Kumasi South Hospital, Eastern Regional Hospital and Northern Regional Hospital.

The latest support builds on a series of equipment interventions previously undertaken by the GMTF at other health facilities across the country, as the Fund continues to channel resources towards critical gaps affecting healthcare delivery.

Rather than limiting its anniversary to ceremonial activities, the GMTF has chosen to mark its first year with interventions designed to leave a practical and lasting impact on health facilities and the patients they serve.

Bringing diagnosis closer to patients

At the Volta Regional Hospital, the ultrasound machines are expected to strengthen diagnostic capacity and support faster clinical decision-making, particularly in situations where timely assessment can be critical to patient outcomes.

The equipment will help health professionals undertake essential imaging closer to the point of care, potentially reducing delays associated with accessing diagnostic services.

At the Worawora Government Hospital, the intervention is expected to enhance the facility’s diagnostic capacity and provide health

professionals with additional tools to assess and manage patients.

Management of the Bole Municipal Hospital also expressed appreciation for the support, noting that improved access to essential equipment would help strengthen service delivery and ease some of the pressure on healthcare workers.

At the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, the Medical Director, Dr Leslie Issah Adam Zakariah, commended the GMTF for the intervention and pledged the hospital’s continued collaboration with the Fund.

He assured the GMTF that the equipment would be put to effective use to improve patient care and support healthcare professionals in the discharge of their duties.

Expanding the impact

The latest distribution forms part of the GMTF’s broader strategy of identifying critical gaps in healthcare facilities and directing resources to areas where equipment shortages can affect diagnosis, emergency response and treatment.

Since commencing operations, the Fund has supported health facilities with various forms of medical equipment and infrastructure interventions, complementing its support for patients requiring specialised and chronic disease care.

The Administrator of the GMTF, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, said the Fund would continue to engage health facilities to identify their most pressing needs and develop interventions capable of making a measurable difference.

She said the decision to include equipment support in the Fund’s first-anniversary activities reflected the GMTF’s commitment to ensuring that its work translated into tangible improvements for both health professionals and patients.

According to her, the Fund’s interventions would continue to focus on areas where targeted support could strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to essential services.

From celebration to impact

For the nine beneficiary hospitals, the significance of the latest intervention will ultimately be measured not by the presentation ceremonies, but by what happens when the equipment goes into use.

It means a patient who can be assessed closer to the point of care.

A health professional with the right equipment to make a critical clinical decision.

An emergency team with improved capacity to respond.

And a health facility better equipped to serve its community.

As the GMTF marks its first year, the latest distribution demonstrates that its anniversary is not only a reflection on the Fund’s journey so far, but also another step in its continuing effort to strengthen healthcare delivery across Ghana.

With nine more hospitals now receiving critical equipment, the GMTF is extending a growing chain of support to health facilities across the country, turning its commitment to healthcare into practical interventions that can ultimately save lives.

The project marks a significant step in the company’s evolution from a medical equipment supplier into a broader healthcare solutions provider, with expertise spanning hospital engineering, construction, maintenance and project management.

Established in 2006 by Adann Benjamin Diaz, the company has steadily expanded its operations to serve hospitals, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and other institutions within the health sector.

According to Mr Diaz, the expansion reflects a deliberate commitment to contributing to Ghana’s healthcare development by addressing not only the need for medical technology but also the infrastructure required to deliver quality care.

“Our ambition is not simply to supply medical equipment. We want to build a company that provides solutions, develops expertise and contributes meaningfully to the infrastructure required for quality healthcare delivery in Ghana and across Africa,” he said.

This vision has informed the company’s expansion into the planning, development, management and maintenance of hospital environments, technical systems and turnkey healthcare facilities.

The integrated model enables the company to consider the full operational requirements of a healthcare facility, from the equipment clinicians need to diagnose and treat patients to the electrical systems, utilities and specialised infrastructure that keep hospitals functioning.

It is this combination of technical capabilities that has positioned ADB Ghana Medical Systems to participate in complex healthcare projects requiring close coordination between medical technology, building design and engineering systems.

A landmark investment in cancer care

The Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence is being developed on 52 acres of land at Kwaso in the Ejisu Municipality.

Named in honour of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the five-year initiative is being funded by Breast Care International (BCI), Peace and Love Hospitals, Global Health Catalyst and the University of Pennsylvania.

The overall project is estimated to cost $100 million, with approximately $10 million allocated to the first phase.

Phase One is expected to include a radiotherapy suite, research wing, artificial intelligence hub, education centre and community outreach facilities. Together, these components are intended to support cancer treatment while strengthening research, professional education and public awareness.

Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, President of Breast Care International and Founding Director of the Centre, said the facility is intended to improve access to advanced cancer care in Ghana and position the country as a destination for medical treatment.

“The Centre will also be the hub for medical tourism and stop the movement of cancer patients from Africa to other continents for treatments,” she said.

When completed, the centre is expected to employ more than 250 people and provide a range of specialised services and facilities, including chemotherapy and brachytherapy suites, CT scan simulators, admission wards, laboratories, surgical theatres and recovery wards.

The development is envisioned as an integrated centre for treatment, research, training and community outreach, with the potential to expand access to specialised cancer services for patients in Ghana and beyond.

Expanding access to specialist cardiac care

Beyond cancer care, ADB Ghana Medical Systems is also involved in the development of a specialist cardiology facility at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

For decades, the hospital operated without a catheterisation laboratory, requiring some patients in need of specialised cardiac interventions to travel to Accra for treatment.

The new facility is intended to bring advanced cardiac services closer to patients in the Ashanti Region and neighbouring areas, reducing the need for long-distance travel to access certain specialist procedures.

A recent technical working visit to the project site brought together representatives of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, KATH and the Ministry of Health to assess key elements of the development. Discussions covered power capacity, utilities integration and structural planning.

The engagement underscored the technical complexity of developing modern specialist healthcare facilities, where medical equipment must be supported by appropriately designed buildings, reliable power systems and carefully integrated utilities.

For ADB Ghana Medical Systems, the project represents another opportunity to apply its expanding engineering and project management expertise to infrastructure intended to support specialised medical services.

Building Ghanaian expertise for Africa’s healthcare needs

The company’s involvement in the cancer centre and the KATH cardiology project reflects a broader ambition to establish a Ghanaian healthcare solutions brand with the technical capacity to compete beyond the domestic market.

Mr Diaz said the company intends to expand into other West African markets while strengthening the expertise, systems and partnerships required to deliver healthcare infrastructure to international standards.

“We believe indigenous companies have an important role to play in solving Africa’s healthcare challenges. Our responsibility is to build the expertise, systems and partnerships that allow us to deliver at the highest possible standard,” he said.

He added that the company ultimately measures its success by the contribution its work makes to patients and the delivery of healthcare services.

“Healthcare is ultimately about people. Every piece of equipment we supply, every facility we help develop and every technical solution we provide should ultimately contribute to better care for someone who needs it.”

As Ghana continues to pursue improvements in specialised healthcare, the need for infrastructure that combines medical technology, engineering and effective project management remains central to the development of modern health facilities.

For ADB Ghana Medical Systems, its growing involvement in major healthcare developments signals a long-term commitment to supporting that progress, while building the capabilities of an indigenous company with ambitions across West Africa and the wider African market.

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GMTF, HeFRA explore partnership to strengthen healthcare regulation

The engagement, held at the Secretariat of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund in Accra, focused on areas where the two institutions could leverage their respective mandates and expertise to improve healthcare infrastructure, equipment management, facility monitoring and institutional capacity.

Registrar of HeFRA, Dr. Winfred Korletey Baah, who led the agency’s delegation, described the Ghana Medical Trust Fund as a “game changer,” saying its interventions were not only transforming healthcare delivery but also making the work of health facility regulators easier.

He said the impact of GMTF went beyond the provision of equipment and infrastructure, stressing the importance of ensuring that healthcare facilities had the capacity to respond effectively to patients’ needs.

Dr. Baah said HeFRA was prepared to provide regulatory and technical support to GMTF, particularly in the assessment and monitoring of healthcare facilities and medical equipment supported through the Fund’s interventions.

HeFRA also identified infrastructure, vehicles and information technology equipment, including computers, as some of the areas where it required support to strengthen its regulatory operations.

According to Dr. Baah, closer collaboration between the two institutions could help ensure that medical equipment procured or donated through GMTF interventions was properly installed, maintained and utilised to deliver the intended benefits to patients.

He said such collaboration would also help strengthen accountability and ensure that investments in healthcare translated into improved patient outcomes.

The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, said the engagement formed part of the Fund’s broader efforts to build strategic partnerships with key institutions within the health sector as it marked its first anniversary.

She said partnerships with institutions such as HeFRA were important to ensuring that investments in healthcare infrastructure, equipment and services were effectively utilised and sustained.

The discussions underscored the need for stronger collaboration among health-sector institutions to ensure that investments in the health system translate into tangible improvements in patient care.

The proposed partnership is expected to provide opportunities for HeFRA and GMTF to complement each other’s efforts and contribute to a stronger, more efficient and better-regulated healthcare system.

Leading a team of top management staff, the CEO paid a working visit to the NAS Central Workshop at Korle-Bu to assess progress being made under the intensive engineering operation. The initiative forms part of a dedicated effort by NAS technicians and engineers who are working around the clock to reduce vehicle downtime, restore grounded ambulances, and clear the workshop of all unserviceable vehicles.

During the inspection, Dr. Owusu expressed satisfaction with the progress of work and commended the commitment and dedication demonstrated by workshop personnel. He noted that the operation remains firmly on course and is already yielding positive results.
The CEO observed that significant progress has been made in separating serviceable vehicles from unserviceable ones, a move expected to improve workshop efficiency, streamline maintenance processes, and enhance overall fleet management.

He further highlighted the introduction of fleet management software, which is expected to strengthen monitoring, maintenance scheduling, and decision-making regarding the Service’s ambulance fleet, ultimately boosting operational readiness across the country.
As part of efforts to safeguard assets and improve accountability, Dr. Owusu also disclosed that additional security measures are being implemented at the workshop, including the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems.

The current operations focus heavily on restoring ambulances that developed major mechanical faults after six years of intensive and continuous nationwide service. The primary objective is to service, repair, and return as many ambulances as possible to active duty while ensuring that beyond-economic-repair vehicles are properly identified and managed.

Dr. Owusu also acknowledged the important role of the media in promoting accountability and keeping public institutions responsive. He, however, stressed the need for accurate and balanced reportage that reflects the realities of emergency medical service delivery, including the demanding conditions under which NAS personnel operate and the significant volume of emergency cases attended to daily across the country.

The strategic intervention underscores the commitment of the National Ambulance Service to maintaining maximum operational readiness and strengthening timely emergency medical response for the people of Ghana.

The initiative is aimed at promoting preventive healthcare, early detection, and health awareness among prison populations who may have limited access to regular prostate screening due to their incarceration.

The exercise began over the weekend at the Kumasi Central Prison, where 350 people benefited from the screening.

The beneficiaries included 300 male inmates and 50 prison officers, comprising both males and females.

A six-member medical team, made up of two doctors, a sonographer, three nurses, and a laboratory technician, conducted the exercise.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Prostate Health Foundation Ghana, Rebecca Nana Yaa Konadu, said participants underwent prostate scans and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests, alongside other general health examinations.

“We did a scan, that is prostate scan, and then we did a PSA test.

Among other tests, we did hepatitis B, typhoid fever, malaria, and fasting blood sugar.

The prostrate screening is a very critical intervention for the inmates because many have been imprisoned for years, and if we don’t check by the time they finish their sentences, their prostrate conditions may have reached a deadly stage,” she explained.

According to the Foundation, some inmates were found to have minor indications of prostate-related conditions and have been referred for further tests and assessment.

The screening team also observed cases of elevated blood pressure among some prison officers, although not all the cases were significantly high.

The Foundation said the observation underscored the importance of regular blood-pressure monitoring, particularly for people working in demanding environments.

Other health concerns were also identified among some inmates, highlighting the need for continued access to healthcare services within correctional facilities.

The screening exercise also provided participants with health education on the importance of regular medical check-ups and early detection of diseases.

The Foundation said the programme would target communities and institutions across the country, with particular attention to men aged 40 years and above who may have limited access to regular prostate screening.

The organisation cited prostate cancer as a major global health concern, noting that it is among the most common cancers affecting men.

The Prostate Health Foundation Ghana said it believes early detection can improve health outcomes and remains committed to taking prostate screening and health education to communities and institutions across Ghana.

The Foundation expressed appreciation to the Ghana Prisons Service and the management of the Kumasi Central Prison for their support and cooperation.

According to the Queen Mother, stigma remains a major barrier that prevents some breast cancer patients from openly discussing their condition and seeking timely medical attention.

She urged families, friends and communities to provide emotional support and encouragement to breast cancer patients instead of making them feel ashamed or isolated because of their condition.

Naa Badu Adiagba I noted that when people are stigmatized, they may be reluctant to disclose their health challenges or seek medical assistance, which can make early detection and prevention more difficult.

She therefore appealed to Ghanaians to create a supportive environment where breast cancer patients can confidently access medical care and continue with their treatment without fear of discrimination.

The Queen Mother also encouraged breast cancer patients not to be discouraged by negative comments or opinions from others. She advised them to focus on their medical examinations, follow the advice of qualified health professionals and remain committed to their treatment.

She emphasized that compassion, education and community support are essential in the fight against breast cancer and urged everyone to play a role in reducing stigma surrounding the disease.

But for Patience Appau Owusu, a 28-year-old trained nurse, graduation did not lead her to work at hospital wards but rather saw the wards become her unusual home as she is admitted countless number of times.

Her life has been agonisingly put on hold as she fights a grueling, solitary battle for survival against stage 5 chronic kidney disease.

“I always compare myself to them (course mates) in my mind. That if not for sickness, I’d also be working by now. So, I always feel sad about that. that if not for this sickness, I would’ve been working with them,” Patience retorted as she panted for breath.

Just as she was preparing to write her final licensing examinations at Tepa Nursing Training School in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality of the Ashanti region, Patience’s world unraveled.

What started as subtle physical struggles degenerated into a chronic condition after hospital diagnosis revealed a devastating truth – her kidneys were failing.

“I was at Tepa. I was about to write my final exams, that’s my license exams. That was when I started feeling sick. So, I went to a hospital called Pesga, and the doctor told me I’m having a kidney failure. That was when I discovered I’m having a kidney failure. So, he referred me to Sunyani Teaching Hospital, which I met a doctor over there. Then, he started the procedure over there. From then, I came to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital”

Patience’s existence has been confined to regular dialysis sessions and a desperate wait for a life-saving kidney transplant.

The once active, vibrant and abled young woman full of energy with potential to become a nurse and serve her community now relies on her mother for everything, including the most basic daily needs such as bathing, walking outside, and even feeding.

“In my daily routine, my mum will bathe me… even when I want to eat, they have to feed me. Because when I try to do something on my own, I feel exhausted. Even when I want to walk, my mum needs to support me… I can’t do something without getting exhausted.”
There’s little Patience could do now, as her days of toil and sleepless nights to pass her examinations have all come to naught.

“When I look at the old me because I was very active, the old me and I have always had an aspiration to work hard. But due to this sickness, I can’t do anything on my own. I can’t go anywhere. Even when I look at my certificates too, I cry.”.

Confined to a bed on the floor, she battles fluctuating body temperatures and severe physical discomfort as she cannot lie down comfortably for long periods.
“Even when I look at my certificates, I cry.”

Patience has lived with this condition for the past four years. She requires three dialysis sections a week, the cost of two of which, until recently, were absorbed by the government.
Despite the state support, the financial burden of expensive medications and regular dialysis has pushed her single mother, a seamstress at Tepa to the brink.

“I am unable to work as a seamstress at Tepa. Why me? Why should I be the one to fight this complex disease? I cannot leave her side to work. This has brought untold hardship on us.”

Patience joins a long queue of kidney failure patients receiving care at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Doctors say Patience first developed an autoimmune condition called lupus, which in turn affected her kidneys.

“Unfortunately for her, she’s developed kidney failure, and when we say kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease, what it means is that the kidneys are practically not working. And because of that, she’s going to require some support, which we call hemodialysis, to be able to survive,” says a Consultant Nephrologist, Prof. Elliot Koranteng Tannor.

So what is an autoimmune condition? A consultant nephrologist at KATH who is also an associate professor at the School of Medical Sciences at KNUST, Prof. Elliot Koranteng Tannor, has been explaining how autoimmune conditions affect the body.

“For her in particular, we believe what may have caused her condition is this autoimmune. When we say autoimmune, what we are saying is that for some reason, especially in females, some part of the body starts fighting other parts of the body, right? So instead of your body fighting against infections, somehow, somehow, things can go amiss and they begin to fight the organs of the body. So when they fight the heart or they fight the liver or they fight the kidney, we have names for it. And for her in particular, this autoimmune condition which we call lupus has affected her kidney.” Prof Tannor added.

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital has, for the last 10 years, seen kidney-related cases at the Outpatient Department quadruple. At least, 70 per cent of cases seen at KATH are in their end stages because the cases are reported late.

The renal dialysis centre sees at least 20 cases daily. Kidney failure caused by lupus is common in the consulting rooms. Prof Tannor says the permanent solution to Patience’s condition is a kidney transplant.

“As I speak to you now, she’s already started kidney replacement therapy, which we call hemodialysis. And she’s going to need this hemodialysis for the rest of her life until she’s able to replace, or until she’s able to get a kidney transplantation.”

Though a donor is available, the cost involved in the surgery and palliative care is estimated at US $100,000, something Patience cannot afford.

Patience is appealing to the public for financial assistance to raise funds for her transplant surgery so she can reclaim her life, especially her career.

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The agreement was signed in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr Geoffrey Hanley.

Under the arrangement, Ghanaian nurses deployed to the Caribbean country will receive enhanced salaries, health insurance and rent allowances, alongside other improved employment benefits.

The agreement also provides for end-of-service benefits and guarantees other labour rights for the Ghanaian professionals.

Mr Ablakwa said the agreement strengthens cooperation between Ghana and Saint Kitts and Nevis while providing greater protection for Ghanaian nurses working abroad.

“Ghana will continue to pursue impactful diplomacy which benefits the people we serve,” Mr Ablakwa said in a Facebook post on Monday.

He also praised Ghanaian professionals for their contribution to the international workforce, noting that their skills and expertise continue to attract demand from countries around the world.

The latest agreement builds on the two countries’ labour cooperation and is expected to provide stronger safeguards for Ghanaian nurses taking up employment opportunities in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

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His call follows President John Dramani Mahama’s disclosure that Cabinet rejected a proposed United States health compact after raising concerns over provisions that required Ghana to provide its pathogen profile and medical records.

Reacting to the President’s comments in a social media post, Mr Barker-Vormawor welcomed the government’s decision to reject the proposal but argued that Ghana needs stronger legal safeguards to prevent similar arrangements in the future.

“I would propose that we actually pass legislation that expressly forbids Ghana from sharing critical health data with foreign countries or companies,” he said.

He, however, acknowledged that legislation could be amended by a future government, raising concerns about the long-term protection of Ghana’s health data.

“But one legislation can be amended by the next,” he added.

Mr Barker-Vormawor also expressed concern that attempts to secure access to Ghana’s health data could return through different arrangements, including contracts with private health solutions companies or technology providers.

He suggested that such arrangements could potentially be presented as health-sector solutions involving services, artificial intelligence or other technologies.

“If this country to country deal doesn’t work, they will come back as health solutions company offering services that some minister will single handedly contract out under some sole sourcing arrangement,” he said.

He further questioned whether Ghana’s political leadership could be relied upon to protect the country’s interests over the long term.

“I’m torn! Empire lays traps for us all around! Yet, our politicians cannot be trusted to hold the fort long term. How sad,” he said.

His comments come amid renewed debate over the protection of Ghana’s health data and the terms attached to international health partnerships.

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In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Sarkodie thanked the President for what he described as a step towards restoring Ghana’s dignity and respect on the international stage.

“Thank you, Mr. President… Hopefully one day we gain back the full respect deserved,” he wrote.

His comments come after President Mahama disclosed that Cabinet swiftly rejected the proposed health compact following concerns over some of its provisions.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Friday, September 25, 2026, President Mahama said the Health Ministry had reviewed the compact, which was presented as a replacement for funding Ghana lost following the termination of USAID support.

The Ministry subsequently prepared a Cabinet Information Paper on the agreement.

“And so the compact was brought to the cabinet, and we flagged several things in the compact,” President Mahama said.

Thank you Mr President … Hopefully one day we gain back the full respect deserved 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/790cRL7C8r

— Sarkodie (@sarkodie) September 28, 2026

According to him, one of the major concerns was a provision requiring Ghana to provide its pathogen profile, information on diseases endemic to the country.

“It means that diseases that are endemic in Ghana. What are diseases endemic in Ghana? What is the pathogen profile of a country? I’m sure there are medical experts who understand that better than me,” he said.

President Mahama also questioned a separate requirement for Ghana to provide medical records.

“I mean, who takes another country’s medical records? And so that was strange,” he said.

He further disclosed that the agreement required Ghana to contribute a specified amount of funding towards the programme while restricting the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) from inspecting medicines and medical products brought into the country under the arrangement.

President Mahama described the conditions as “humiliating” and said Cabinet consequently rejected the compact within a short period.

“I mean, it was humiliating. And so it was the compact that was thrown out in record time in our cabinet. I’ve never seen anything thrown out as fast as that. And so, of course, we rejected it,” he said.

Sarkodie’s remarks have since drawn attention to the President’s account of the negotiations and the government’s decision to reject the proposed agreement.

A KNUST delegation, led by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. David Asamoah paid a working visit to the GMTF on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor to explore the possibility of this collaboration between the two institutions.

The discussions focused on how AI and other scientific innovations could be applied to address challenges in the health sector, improve efficiency, and support better outcomes for patients.

Prof. Asamoah said KNUST was interested in working with the GMTF to translate scientific research and technological innovation into practical solutions that could benefit the health sector.

As part of the proposed collaboration, KNUST is seeking the support of GMTF to make some of its health facilities and centres available for a pilot programme to test the application of AI-driven solutions in healthcare delivery

The pilot could provide an opportunity to assess how AI can support healthcare professionals, improve service delivery and generate data-driven insights for decision-making.

The two institutions also explored the possibility of deploying AI systems to support the internal operations of the Trust Fund, including areas where technology could improve efficiency, data management, monitoring and coordination of its interventions.

The engagement forms part of broader efforts by the GMTF to build strategic partnerships with academic, scientific and professional institutions to strengthen specialised healthcare delivery and maximise the impact of its interventions.

The proposed KNUST-GMTF collaboration is expected to create a platform for linking research, technology and healthcare practice, with the ultimate objective of developing innovative solutions that can be scaled across the health sector.

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Cabinet threw out US health compact faster than anything I’ve seen – Mahama

The engagement formed part of his ongoing consultations with stakeholders and took place at the GMA House at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

The meeting, led by GMA President Professor Dr Ernest Yorke, focused on a range of concerns affecting healthcare delivery and medical professionals in the country.

Among the issues discussed were health workforce retention, brain drain, remuneration and the distribution of medical personnel, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The discussions also covered emergency preparedness, conditions of service, deprived-area allowances and the role of the private sector in strengthening healthcare delivery.

Another major issue was the proposal by the Medical and Dental Council to introduce an additional licensing examination for locally trained medical doctors.

Dr Bawumia described the engagement as fruitful and said the concerns and proposals presented highlighted the need to reconsider aspects of Ghana’s healthcare policies.

He said innovative approaches emerging from the discussions could contribute to transformational changes for medical professionals and the wider health sector.

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The President, who was speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Friday, September 25, 2026, said the Health Ministry studied the compact, which was offered to replace funding Ghana lost when USAID support ended.

The ministry then prepared a Cabinet Information Paper.

“And so the compact was brought to cabinet and we flagged several things in the compact,” he said.

The first was a provision requiring Ghana to hand over its pathogen profile, which he described as the diseases endemic in the country.

“It means that diseases that are endemic in Ghana. What are diseases endemic in Ghana? What is the pathogen profile of a country? I’m sure there are medical experts who understand that better than me,” he said.

Why Ghana flagged and declined to sign the new USA Health Compact Agreement.

President Mahama disclosed that Ghana flagged several issues in a health compact proposed by the U.S. as a replacement for USAID funding.

JDM explains 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/rD6AbWemWJ

— Kiss Me Quikk (@Kiss_Mequikk) September 27, 2026

The compact also required Ghana to hand over its medical records, a demand the President found hard to understand.

“I mean, who takes another country’s medical records? And so that was strange,” he said.

Mr Mahama said the agreement further required Ghana to put up a certain amount of money towards the programme, and barred the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) from inspecting any medicines or medical products brought into the country under it.

He described those conditions as “humiliating”, and said Cabinet dealt with the document swiftly.

“I mean, it was humiliating. And so it was the compact that was thrown out in record time in our cabinet. I’ve never seen anything thrown out as fast as that. And so, of course, we rejected it,” he said.

The Health Minister was then asked to inform the US Ambassador that Ghana did not need the compact.

One year into the Fund’s existence, Dr. Abdallah says its intervention in the treatment of patients with complex neurological conditions has not only saved lives and restored quality of life, but has also brought something many doctors had quietly been losing: hope.

As a neurosurgeon at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Abdallah has been involved in the treatment of more than 10 patients supported by the Fund.

Among the most significant cases, he said, were six patients who underwent brain aneurysm surgery with GMTF support, marking, according to him, the first time six such cases had been sponsored and carried out in a public hospital.

A brain aneurysm, he explained, can be like a ticking time bomb. Before the Fund’s intervention, treatment was available in Ghana, but the cost of coiling could range between US$15,000 and US$20,000, placing it beyond the reach of many patients.

For those unable to raise the money, the diagnosis came with a devastating psychological burden.

“They were living with the mental torture that they were a walking time bomb,” Dr. Abdallah said, describing the fear that another blood vessel could rupture in the brain at any time.

GMTF changed that reality for the patients.

In one emergency case, he said, the Fund stepped in and settled the patient’s treatment costs without the lengthy processes that could delay care.

For Dr. Abdallah, that intervention was more than financial assistance.

“We saved this patient.”

The Fund has also supported patients with brain tumours, including pituitary tumours that can progressively destroy a patient’s vision and, if untreated, become fatal.

Dr. Abdallah said that without financial support, some patients would have waited months or even years while trying to raise money for surgery. By then, some could lose their sight, while others risked dying as their tumours grew.

GMTF’s intervention, he said, has therefore meant more than paying hospital bills.

It has meant giving patients back their sight, their lives and, in some cases, what feels like a second chance at life.

But perhaps the most profound impact, according to Dr. Abdallah, is one that is rarely discussed; the effect on the mental health of healthcare professionals.

Doctors, he explained, are often confronted with the painful reality of diagnosing a patient early, knowing that timely treatment could make a difference, only to watch that patient return much later in a worse condition because the family could not afford the surgery.

“That can be depressing,” he said.

Sometimes, when families exhaust their resources, doctors and other hospital staff step in. They contribute from their own pockets and organise collections among colleagues simply to keep a patient alive.

But the emotional toll does not end in the hospital.

Dr. Abdallah described the pain of going home and reflecting on patients who might have had better outcomes if they had received treatment earlier.

When such situations occur repeatedly, he said, the psychological burden begins to affect doctors themselves.

That is why the emergence of GMTF represents a different kind of relief.

“The fact that I don’t have to dip my hands into my pocket to do round collection to save a patient, I think it is great,” he said.

For Dr. Abdallah, the Fund is therefore also restoring confidence among healthcare workers that patients can receive the treatment they need without doctors having to personally carry the financial burden.

It gives clinicians the reassurance that their country has their backs.

“It gives us a lot of hope,” he said, expressing optimism that as the Fund grows, more complex surgeries can be performed and outcomes can increasingly match those seen in developed healthcare systems.

For the patients supported by GMTF, it may be the beginning of life again.

For the doctors caring for them, it is something equally profound:

the restoration of hope, relief from an invisible burden, and the reassurance that they do not have to fight alone to save a life.

And in the words of Dr. Abdallah:

“Our mental health is restored, courtesy of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.”

The development is expected to boost the region’s capacity to provide specialised medical care and reduce the need for residents to travel outside Savannah for advanced treatment.

The site was handed over to the contractor on Friday as part of government’s broader plan to improve referral healthcare infrastructure in Savannah, Oti and the Western North regions.

Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced the Savannah project milestone in a Facebook post on Sunday, September 27.

Each of the three regions is expected to receive a new 160-bed regional referral hospital, providing additional facilities and strengthening access to specialised healthcare.

The hospitals are also expected to ease pressure on existing health facilities while improving the referral system for patients requiring higher-level medical attention.

He said government had formally handed over the Damongo site to the contractor, paving the way for construction to begin.

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She said the potential of traditional medicine could be better harnessed if products were subjected to rigorous research, proper regulation and manufacturing standards to guarantee their safety, quality and effectiveness.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah made the remarks when she visited the Centre of Awareness (COA) Research and Manufacturing Company in the Central Region, where she interacted with management and staff and inspected its facilities to assess compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

She pointed to China as an example of a country where traditional and conventional medicine are used alongside each other, saying Ghana could explore a similar approach while maintaining appropriate scientific and regulatory safeguards.

According to her, stronger collaboration between practitioners of traditional and conventional medicine could improve healthcare outcomes, particularly if medicines used by the public are properly researched and meet required safety and quality standards.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah also linked the discussion to the government’s Free Primary Healthcare programme, saying its focus on prevention and health promotion creates an opportunity to examine how scientifically validated traditional medicine can contribute to primary healthcare.

She identified conditions such as hypertension and diabetes as areas where traditional medicine could potentially play a role, subject to scientific validation and effective regulation.

The Chief Executive Officer of COA Manufacturing Company, Prof. (HC) Samuel Ato Duncan, welcomed the government’s renewed interest in developing the sector.

He said bringing traditional medicine to the required standards could allow it to complement national healthcare programmes, including the Free Primary Healthcare initiative.

Prof. Duncan disclosed that COA was conducting research into the potential health benefits of some of its products, including possible applications in the management of cancer and viral diseases.

He stressed that sustained research and collaboration among traditional medicine practitioners, researchers and government institutions would be critical to building stronger scientific evidence around traditional medicines.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah said the Ministry of Health would continue working with stakeholders to strengthen research, quality assurance, manufacturing and regulation within the sector.

She said the ultimate goal was to develop a healthcare system where traditional and conventional medicine can safely complement each other, guided by scientific evidence and appropriate regulatory standards.

The President made the remarks while responding to questions about Ghana’s decision to back out of the package, which involved about $74 million in support for the country’s health sector.

Speaking at a meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations in the United States, President Mahama said the fact that Ghana needed healthcare assistance should not be the basis for accepting every form of support.

He said the experience had reinforced the need for Ghana and other African countries to build greater independence in financing and managing their healthcare systems.

President Mahama has subsequently intensified his call for health sovereignty across Africa, urging governments on the continent to invest more significantly in their own healthcare systems rather than relying heavily on external support.

He said the withdrawal of the US funding had exposed the vulnerability of African health systems to decisions made outside the continent.

According to him, the experience also contributed to the development of the Accra Reset initiative, which seeks to promote greater African sovereignty in healthcare financing and the production of essential medicines and vaccines.

President Mahama said, as Chairman of the African Union, he intends to use his position to advance efforts to enable Ghana and other African countries to produce essential medicines and vaccines locally.

He stressed the importance of strengthening Africa’s capacity to finance its healthcare needs and reduce dependence on external assistance.

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The directive was issued by the Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency, MoFFA, after an inspection exercise uncovered challenges in occupational health and safety, infection prevention, and environmental sanitation at some facilities.

The exercise, according to the inspection team, exposed several lapses in the management of some mortuary facilities.

Poor infection-prevention practices, occupational health and safety challenges, and littering within and around some mortuary compounds are some of the concerns identified.

“Most of the facilities had a lot of challenges regarding occupational health and safety, infection prevention, and also environmental safety.”

Facilities found to be complying with the required standards received commendations from the Agency.

“Some of the facilities also did well. We commended them because they were putting infection prevention practices in place, and their environment was also on point.”

The agency warned facilities operating without the required licence to correct the identified deficiencies and regularise their operations within the next ten days.

“For other facilities that are yet to get a licence to operate, we are giving them ten days to work on it, regularise their actions and meet the requirements needed for them to get the licence to operate.

“For those who don’t comply with the ten days that are given for them to regularise their actions, we would let the law take its course.”

According to MoFFA, offences under the relevant law could attract a penalty of up to six thousand penalty units, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, subject to the decision of the court.

The Agency has therefore urged all mortuary and funeral facility operators to comply with the required standards to protect public health and safety