The Service said although the floods created conditions that could increase the risk of waterborne diseases, ongoing preventive measures are helping to contain potential threats.

Speaking during a disinfection exercise at Tema Station Market and the Adabraka Polyclinic on Saturday, July 11, the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, said health authorities had not recorded any cholera cases so far.

“Fortunately, as of now, we don’t have any registered cholera outbreak. But prevention is key. We don’t need to wait for an outbreak before acting. Treatment is extremely costly,” he said.

The disinfection exercise forms part of post-flood interventions by the GHS following the nationwide clean-up campaign organised by the government in flood-affected communities.

Health authorities explained that the exercise is aimed at eliminating disease-causing organisms in public spaces and reducing the risk of cholera, typhoid and other sanitation-related illnesses.

Dr Akoriyea said the initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly and sanitation partner LCB Worldwide, is the next phase after the removal of waste and clearing of drains.

“After cleaning, the next step is disinfection and fumigation to avoid outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and other illnesses,” he added.

The floods, which affected several communities, left behind stagnant water, blocked drains and heaps of refuse, raising concerns over possible public health emergencies.

The GHS has therefore encouraged the public to continue observing good sanitation practices, including proper waste disposal, safe drinking water practices and personal hygiene, to prevent the spread of diseases.

He said presently the region’s HIV prevalence among homosexuals stood at 26 per cent, implying that out of every 100 homosexuals, 26 of them had HIV. 

In an interview with the media in Sunyani, Mr Bambilla said the region’s HIV prevalence among commercial sex workers was also six per cent and expressed worry about the trend of infections among the gays in the region. 

He noted that gays and commercial sex workers remained at a higher risk of contracting HIV explaining that the GAC was presently distributing Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), targeting the vulnerable population. 

Mr Bambilla explained that PrEP was a highly efficacious medication that protected the vulnerable population from contracting HIV. 

He advised persons living with HIV to endeavour to take their medication correctly and regularly, saying that taking medication consistently for six months would lead to viral suppression. 

Mr Bambilla said that the country had attained 89 per cent of viral suppression, explaining that with viral suppression, it would be difficult for carriers of the virus to infect others. 

“So, the medication is seriously and efficaciously working, and we are using the medication as prevention,” he added.

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This action follows a meeting with the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, regarding the delays in making the facility operational.

According to a Citi News report, the contractor met with the Health Minister on Friday, July 10, to discuss the completion and handover of the 120-bed specialist hospital, which has remained closed despite being structurally completed.

During the meeting, government reportedly urged the contractor to hand over the facility to enable the Ministry of Health to begin operations, citing the urgent need for specialised paediatric healthcare services.

The contractor, however, is said to have declined the request, insisting that he would not hand over the hospital until the outstanding balance on the contract had been paid in full or government provided firm assurances on when the remaining payment would be made.

Sources said the contractor maintained that the unresolved financial obligations had to be addressed before the project could be officially handed over.

Shortly after the meeting, EOCO officials reportedly picked up the contractor and conveyed him to the agency’s headquarters. Neither EOCO nor the Ministry of Health has officially commented on the circumstances surrounding the development.

The Weija Children’s Hospital has remained unoperational for more than two years despite the completion of its main infrastructure.

The prolonged delay in opening the hospital has been attributed to unresolved contractual and administrative issues, including disputes over outstanding payments and the completion of ancillary works, drawing criticism from health stakeholders and residents who have called for the facility to be opened for public use.

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In a public notice, the FDA said the application is free to download and easy to use, and is available on both Android and iOS devices.

The Authority encouraged users to search for “Med Safety App” on Google Play or the App Store, download and install the application, and follow the steps provided to submit reports.

According to the FDA, information received through the app helps the Authority monitor the safety of medicines on the market and take steps to protect public health.

“Your report helps the FDA monitor medicine safety and protect public health. Together, we can make medicines safer for everyone,” the Authority stated.

The FDA said increased public participation in reporting suspected fake medicines and adverse drug reactions will strengthen efforts to ensure the safety and quality of medicines available to consumers.

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According to the Directorate, 27 pregnant women died during childbirth between January and June 2026, compared to 60 maternal deaths recorded during the same period last year.

The Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service in the Upper East Region, Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari, attributed the deaths largely to delays in reporting to health facilities and late referrals from Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds to district and regional hospitals.

Dr Abubakari made the disclosure during a Joint Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Strategic Planning Meeting held in Bolgatanga.

The meeting brought together health professionals from the Upper East, Northern, and North-East regions under the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) CHPS+ Project Phase II to deliberate on practical strategies to reduce maternal mortality and address other maternal and child health challenges in the three regions.

Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari disclosed that the Bawku Municipality and Builsa South District each recorded four maternal deaths during the period, making them the hardest-hit areas in the region so far.

“A lot of the deaths occurred in April and May. They have now slowed down”, Dr Braimah said.

“When we did the analysis, we realised that for some of them, some intervention was made (to try and save their lives) but they still died. This is because they arrived at the facility late, either due to long distance and bad roads, or they waited too long until there were complications before they ran to the hospital,” Dr Braimah revealed.

He called for stronger collaboration among health workers, caregivers, and community members to improve early reporting, timely referrals, and the quality of maternal healthcare delivery.

He emphasised that although the region had made progress in antenatal care coverage, more work must be done to ensure pregnant women have access to skilled care at the right time to prevent avoidable deaths.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Project Manager of KOICA, Myeongseon Kim, urged health professionals to be more proactive in dealing with maternal mortality and other health complications affecting women and children.

She said the KOICA CHPS+ Project Phase II aims to improve maternal and neonatal health in the Upper East and North East Regions and has been implementing several projects in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and the Korean government through KOICA.

“But despite all this, we are struggling with maternal and neonatal deaths in the two regions, which is not the outcome we were expecting”, Kim said.

“We really want to know practical action points. We want to discuss key reasons that led to these maternal deaths so we can know how to solve the problem during and beyond the implementation of the project”, she added.

The meeting was expected to help shape coordinated interventions to improve maternal, neonatal, and child health outcomes across beneficiary regions.

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Appearing before Parliament’s Assurances Committee on Thursday, July 9, the Minister said the government inherited more than GH¢1 billion in unpaid Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) owed to contractors, while none of the facilities were ready to provide healthcare services.

Mr Akandoh said the government has identified 35 Agenda 111 projects for completion and has directed contractors to return to their respective sites to continue work.

However, he declined to provide timelines for the completion of the projects, explaining that some contracts may have to be terminated and repackaged before work can proceed.

“Mr Chairman, I do not want to give specific dates because maybe there are others who may even have to terminate and repackage. If I give you any date, I’ll be called back before the committee to answer questions,” he said.

The Minister noted that the 2026 Budget made provision for work to commence on 10 of the identified projects, which form part of the 35 selected for completion.

He said some contractors had already returned to site, while efforts were underway to settle outstanding payments owed to others.

“We have also started processing the IPCs so that we will pay the contractors, get them money to go back to the site and continue the project,” he stated.

Mr Akandoh said although GH¢4.8 billion had been spent on the Agenda 111 programme, none of the hospitals could currently provide healthcare services.

“About GH¢4.8 billion was spent on Agenda 111, but unfortunately, we don’t have a single one of them that could save a life today,” he said.

During the hearing, members of the committee sought clarification on the operational status of the hospitals, pointing out that some facilities had previously been commissioned.

Responding to a question on how many Agenda 111 hospitals were functional, the Minister replied, “Zero.”

He maintained that although about three facilities were commissioned under the previous administration, they had not been completed or fully equipped to operate.

“About three were commissioned while they were not completed. They had not installed the full complement of the equipment needed to run the facilities,” he said.

Mr Akandoh further alleged that temporary arrangements were made to facilitate the commissioning ceremonies.

“In some cases, generators were carried to the site for the commissioning, and after the commissioning, they were taken back, and the place was locked,” he claimed.

The Health Minister stressed that a hospital should only be commissioned after construction has been completed, the facility has been handed over to the Ministry, and it is fully equipped and ready to provide healthcare services.

He insisted that the current administration did not inherit any Agenda 111 hospital that was fully completed, staffed and operational.

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The inauguration marks the return of critical cardiac services for thousands of Ghanaians living with cardiovascular diseases and highlights renewed efforts to strengthen specialist healthcare infrastructure in the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, described the occasion as a significant moment in Ghana’s healthcare journey.

“Every nation, in its journey, will face a moment that tests not its resources, but its resolve. Today, Ghana answers that test,” she said, adding that the country had gathered “to restore a lifeline, reclaim a critical pillar of our national health security, and affirm that we do not abandon what saves lives.”

The original Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, commissioned in January 2017 by former President John Dramani Mahama, transformed cardiac care in Ghana by enabling complex heart procedures that previously required patients to seek treatment abroad.

However, the facility was destroyed by a devastating fire on March 7, 2025, disrupting emergency cardiac interventions at the country’s premier referral hospital.

Following an assessment visit in January 2026, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund decided not only to rebuild the laboratory but also to establish a more advanced facility capable of responding to the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Reconstruction began on February 17, 2026, and within five months, the upgraded laboratory was completed and ready to serve patients.

According to Ms Darko-Opoku, the new facility is “not a replica of what was lost,” but “a superior successor” with improved technology, increased capacity, and enhanced capabilities to provide faster and safer cardiac care.

The facility is expected to resume operations with a landmark cardiac intervention programme beginning July 12, in collaboration with the National Cardiothoracic Centre, specialist cardiologists from the United States, the Mount Carmel Foundation, Africa World Airlines, and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

Thirty patients selected from across the country are expected to undergo complex Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device procedures as part of the initiative.

The project reflects the broader mandate of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which supports patients with chronic non-communicable diseases while investing in specialist training, modern medical infrastructure, and research.

Ms Darko-Opoku commended President John Dramani Mahama for the leadership that supported the reconstruction, noting that the facility represents more than infrastructure and equipment.

“This Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory is where science meets compassion, where expertise meets equity, and where families can receive lifesaving care with dignity,” she said.

The reconstructed Cath Lab at Korle Bu is expected to serve as a symbol of improved access to quality cardiac care and Ghana’s growing capacity to provide specialised medical services locally.

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Speaking at the inauguration on Thursday, July 9, the President recalled that the fire destroyed several offices and medical equipment, disrupting healthcare delivery and placing immense pressure on clinicians, patients and their families.

He said the incident represented a major setback for specialised healthcare services at the country’s premier referral hospital.

“The unfortunate fire that destroyed that facility in March 2025 represented a significant setback for our health system. It disrupted services, increased pressure on our clinicians and placed additional burdens on patients and their families,” he said.

President Mahama noted that the commissioning of the new Cath Lab was a moment of celebration.

“Today, however, we celebrate not merely the replacement of what was lost, but we celebrate the creation of something even better than what we lost,” he noted.

He expressed optimism that the new laboratory would strengthen cardiac care services at Korle Bu and improve access to life-saving treatment for patients across the country.

“So this new Cardiac catheterisation laboratory represents restoration, renewal and progress. It reflects our determination that setbacks should never define our future; instead, they should inspire us to rebuild stronger, smarter and better than before,” he added.

In others, mental illness may be stigmatised as weakness or even spiritual failure.

Immigrant men, for example, may experience unique stressors such as cultural isolation, discrimination, or pressure to succeed in a new environment. 

Men of colour often face systemic inequalities, racism, and a lack of access to culturally sensitive healthcare.

These layers of identity intersect, creating distinct challenges that cannot be addressed by a one-size-fits-all approach.

Work, identity, and mental health

For many men, work is not just a means of survival but a cornerstone of identity. Being employed, achieving success and providing for family are often tied to self-worth.

While work can provide purpose and fulfilment, it can also be a source of enormous stress.

Job loss, underemployment or workplace discrimination can deeply wound men’s sense of identity. Retirement, too, poses risks as men lose not only income but also a sense of purpose and community. 

The mental health impacts of work and identity highlight the need for broader societal conversations about what it means to be valuable and fulfilled beyond economic output.

Substance use and self-medication

One of the most common coping mechanisms men turn to is substance use. Alcohol, drugs, or even excessive reliance on prescription medications can become ways to numb pain, escape reality, or mask symptoms of depression and anxiety.

But substance use is a double-edged sword. What begins as relief often spirals into addiction, compounding mental health struggles. Alcohol, for instance, is a depressant that exacerbates depression over time. 

Drugs can alter brain chemistry in ways that make recovery harder. Substance abuse is both a symptom of men’s mental health struggles and a factor that worsens them, creating a dangerous cycle.

Breaking the silence

If men’s mental health is in crisis, what can be done? Breaking the silence requires action on multiple levels—individual, social, and systemic. 

Men must be encouraged to speak openly, seek help, and reject the notion that vulnerability equals weakness. Families, friends, and partners must learn to listen without judgment and create safe spaces for men to share their struggles.

Healthcare providers need better training to recognise how mental illness manifests differently in men. Workplaces must prioritise mental health, not only through employee assistance programs but also by fostering cultures where openness is not penalised. 

Governments and institutions must invest in mental health services that are accessible, affordable, and tailored to men’s needs.

Above all, we need a cultural shift—a redefinition of masculinity that celebrates not only strength and resilience but also compassion, authenticity, and emotional intelligence. True strength lies not in silence, but in the courage to confront inner struggles and seek support.

A message of hope

The story of men’s mental health is not one of despair but of possibility. Around the world, movements are emerging to challenge stigma and encourage men to speak openly. 

Campaigns such as “Movember,” mental health podcasts, online communities, and grassroots initiatives are giving men a voice.

Celebrities, athletes, and leaders are sharing their own mental health journeys, proving that vulnerability does not diminish masculinity; it enriches it.

Every man who speaks up chips away at the silence that has claimed too many lives. Every friend who asks, “How are you, really?” helps build a culture of openness. 

Every doctor who listens without judgment, every teacher who nurtures emotional literacy in boys, every partner who creates space for honesty, these are the small acts that collectively change the story.

Men’s mental health is not a niche issue. It is a human issue, a family issue, a community issue. When men are mentally healthy, they are better fathers, partners, friends, colleagues, and leaders. 

Breaking the silence around men’s mental health is not just about saving lives; it is about building a healthier, more compassionate world for everyone.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, July 8, Mr Akandoh said the Ministry of Health is ready to commence operations immediately once the outstanding works are completed and the hospital is officially handed over.

According to him, the World Bank-funded project has faced procurement-related challenges during construction, resulting in delays in its completion.

“Mr Speaker, I inherited the project. It’s a World Bank-funded project, and in the course of the construction, the World Bank raised issues of what we call misprocurement, and so we had to deal with the issues of misprocurement,” he told the House.

The Minister explained that although the hospital is largely completed, some critical works, including the installation of medical equipment, remain outstanding, preventing the contractor from handing over the facility to the Ministry.

He disclosed that the Ministry has held several meetings with the contractor to resolve the remaining issues and is scheduled to meet again on July 10 after the contractor requested to be present in person.

“The last meeting will take place on the 10th of this month. The contractor is not in the country at the moment, and it was his request to be available personally for us to conclude the outstanding matters,” Mr Akandoh said.

The Health Minister dismissed claims that government was intentionally delaying the opening of the hospital, stressing that inspections conducted by the Ghana Health Service confirmed that parts of the project remain unfinished.

He assured Parliament that the Ministry has already recruited the full complement of staff required to operate the specialist facility and could begin services within 24 hours after the project is officially handed over.

“I can assure you that if the project is handed over this morning, within the next 24 hours, we don’t even need any fanfare. We will commission the project because we have the full complement of staff for that particular facility,” he stated.

The Minister’s comments come in the wake of criticism from residents of Weija-Gbawe, who in May staged a demonstration demanding the immediate opening of the fully furnished hospital, arguing that the facility is needed to improve specialist healthcare for children and ease pressure on existing health institutions.

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The Directorate, in a statement, described the allegation circulating on social media as false and said it does not reflect what happened at the facility on July 5, 2026.

According to the Directorate, the child was brought to the hospital by her mother at about 1:55pm in an unresponsive condition.

It said medical personnel attended to the child immediately and commenced resuscitation efforts, but her vital signs could not be recorded and she was later confirmed as brought-in-dead.

The family was subsequently advised to report to the Ghana Police Service at Dodowa for a postmortem examination, in line with standard procedures.

The Directorate added that the child’s grandmother, who accompanied the mother, requested the body for immediate burial in accordance with their Islamic faith.

It further accused the author of the publication, identified as Gershon Ntsri, of failing to verify the claims with the hospital before making them public.

The Health Directorate has called on him to retract the publication and issue an unqualified apology within three days, warning that failure to do so could lead to legal action.

It also urged the public to verify information before sharing allegations, particularly those involving healthcare workers and institutions.

The Directorate said it is engaging relevant authorities, including the Ghana Police Service, as it takes further steps to protect the reputation of the hospital and its staff.

The development, the fertility hospital says, marks a major milestone in reproductive medicine in Ghana.

Doris Anum-Dorhuso, a Chartered Accountant of 25 years, who has been unable to give birth for the past 22 years of her marriage, underwent a medical procedure known as Stem Cell-Enhanced In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) to get pregnant and give birth.

She had initially been ruled out of any chances of giving birth by different facilities, but through the hospital’s procedure, she was able to give birth on July 2, 2026, four days to her 62nd birthday.

Hospital officials have described it as one of the country’s most significant breakthroughs in assisted reproductive care and a testament to advances in science and fertility medicine. 
Stem Cell-Enhanced IVF involves using one’s own cells to rejuvenate the womb.

Ms Anum-Dorhuso and her baby girl, Naa Dromo, were unveiled at a news conference on  the hospital’s premises yesterday, a day that also marked her birthday.

Dressed in a white lace outfit with white accessories, and carrying her tender daughter draped in a white shawl, the two surrounded by the confident and elated hospital staff that included the two key medical specialists who saw her through the entire period of the procedure, an elated Ms Anum-Dorhuso urged women struggling to give birth not to give up.

“You shouldn’t sit in your home and weep because you cannot give birth. Look for a good facility to solve your problem for you, and pray while the medical team are doing their part,” she advised.

Ms Anum-Dorhuso said before her husband passed, the couple had visited other facilities where she was told, because of her age, they could not do the IVF for her.

She later got to know about the Mary-Lucy Hospital through a television programme, where she was informed about the Stem Cell-Enhanced IVF.

Ms Anum-Dorhuso said she was initially scared that her womb could be removed, but persevered with prayers, finding courage throughout her pregnancy to even go to work without experiencing any complications.

Stem Cell-Enhanced IVF

The Director and Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Davis Kofie Adedze, who was one of the specialists that attended to her, said the woman’s age notwithstanding, he was convinced about the advancement of science that even at 60 years old, then, Ms Anum-Dorhuso could be a miracle case.

As the woman declined suggestions to go for surrogacy or adoption, they later started a full evaluation of her, and soon they realised she had undergone a previous fibroid surgery, which meant her womb had somehow been battered.

Upon further assessment, Dr Adedze said, they realised the fibroids had reoccurred, which gave her a zero chance for someone who was well into her menopause.

The process involved a surgery to remove 26 fibroid nodules from her system, rejuvenating her womb with her own cells, and then strengthening the inner lining of the womb, which had shrunk because of menopause.

Dr Adedze said a full medical evaluation later proved that she could carry a baby, upon which they transferred the embryos into her.

“And God being so wonderful, it picked with the second attempt after the first failed,” he said, adding that Ms Anum-Dorhuso went through the pregnancy without any hospital admission, while she went to work regularly, reported for all hospital checks and went through a successful 37-week pregnancy after which she was delivered of her baby.

A Stem Cell Practitioner and Specialist Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Dr Richard Asamoah, who was part of the medical team, mentioned some of the risks that posed a danger for the procedure for a woman of advanced age, to include high blood pressure, diabetes, metabolic conditions, and kidneys not functioning well.

He added that this was why, before they performed the procedure, they would evaluate the person medically to see if they could do it.

Dr Asamoah said in the case of Ms Anum-Dorhuso, the stem cells solved all the problems for them because they minimised the risk factors that could have arisen.

He disclosed that it was not the first time the hospital was doing stem cells for women of advanced age, adding that they had done it for a number of them, but Ms Anum-Dorhuso was the oldest among them all.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 7, the hospital said it had taken the allegations seriously and had begun efforts to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

According to management, attempts to reach Mzbel and her family since the video surfaced have so far been unsuccessful.

The hospital said it is seeking to determine whether the deceased was referred to Korle Bu and denied admission upon arrival, or whether the patient had not yet been transferred to the facility and was instead advised to wait until a bed became available.

“As at the time of this notice, the Hospital has not been able to engage the family directly to verify the facts. Management is calling on Mzbel to provide the necessary information to enable us to investigate the claims made in the video,” the statement said.

Korle Bu stressed that it remains committed to the government’s directive that no public hospital should refuse emergency cases.

The hospital recalled that following President John Dramani Mahama’s directive during the 2026 State of the Nation Address, its Board instructed management to ensure strict compliance with the policy. It added that the directive has since been reinforced by the Minister for Health.

Management further disclosed that additional beds and other facilities have been procured to help reduce the incidence of bed shortages at the hospital.

It emphasised that all clinical and emergency departments have repeatedly been reminded of their obligation to provide emergency care in line with national policy, warning that any deliberate refusal to attend to an emergency patient would constitute a serious breach and would be thoroughly investigated.

While investigations continue, the hospital urged patients and their relatives to use its official complaints channels to report concerns. These include the hospital’s telephone exchange, the dedicated complaints line (0244 406 700), the complaints portal on its website, and QR codes displayed across the facility.

According to management, complaints received through these channels are investigated promptly to ensure timely resolution and improve the quality of healthcare services.

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital extended its condolences to the bereaved family and reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a fair, transparent and professional investigation into the matter.

His comments come as the world marks World Forgiveness Day, a day dedicated to promoting forgiveness, reconciliation and emotional healing while encouraging people to let go of resentment and embrace peace.

Speaking to the media, Mr Oppong said refusing to forgive people who have wronged you can contribute to unhealthy lifestyles and increase the risk of health complications, including heart-related problems.

According to him, people who hold on to resentment often make decisions based on avoiding those who hurt them, a situation that may cause them to miss valuable opportunities for personal growth and success.

He explained that unforgiveness can also push some individuals into destructive behaviours, including substance abuse and promiscuous lifestyles, as they attempt to hurt those who offended them.

However, Mr Oppong noted that such actions often end up causing more harm to the individuals involved and negatively affect their mental health.

Meanwhile, some Ghanaians shared their views on issues they find difficult to forgive. Many said that because life is unpredictable, they would rather forgive, let go of past hurts and move on instead of holding on to resentment.

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The assurance was given during a joint inspection of the project by the Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, and the management of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, who toured the construction site to assess the progress of work and reaffirm the commitment to delivering the life-saving facility on time.

Project engineers told the delegation they are working around the clock, day and night, to meet the deadline, stressing that significant progress has been made and that the August target remains achievable.

The inspection forms part of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund’s regular monitoring of critical health infrastructure projects aimed at expanding access to specialist healthcare across the country.

When completed, the Cardiology Centre will become a major referral hub for advanced heart care, dramatically reducing the need for patients in Northern Ghana to travel to Accra or Kumasi for specialised cardiac diagnosis and treatment.

The facility is expected to provide comprehensive cardiovascular services, including advanced diagnostic and interventional procedures, bringing world-class heart care closer to millions of people.

Speaking after the inspection, the Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and commended the contractors for their commitment to delivering the project within schedule.

She noted that the Centre represents a transformative investment in healthcare and is central to the Trust Fund’s mission of ensuring equitable access to specialist medical services regardless of where Ghanaians live.

Beyond serving residents of the Northern Region, the facility will provide life-saving cardiac services to patients from the Savannah, North East, Upper East and Upper West Regions, as well as parts of the Bono East Region, bringing specialist treatment within easier reach for thousands of families who previously faced long and costly journeys for care.

Management of the Tamale Teaching Hospital also welcomed the steady progress, describing the Centre as a game-changing investment that will strengthen the hospital’s capacity to diagnose and treat heart diseases while improving emergency cardiac care across northern Ghana.

Once operational, the Cardiology Centre is expected to significantly improve patient outcomes, reduce preventable deaths from cardiovascular diseases and position the Tamale Teaching Hospital as a leading centre for specialist heart care in northern Ghana.

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According to the company, heavy rainfall caused floodwaters to inundate its warehouse, washing away stored goods.

Although its factory premises are located outside designated flood-prone areas, they were also affected due to ongoing motorway construction works which contributed to localized flooding.

In a statement signed by management, the company raised alarm over reports that some unscrupulous individuals are retrieving products from the floodwaters and reselling them to unsuspecting retailers.

Management emphasized that such items are compromised and pose serious risks to consumer health and safety.

“We categorically state that such products are unfit for sale. Retailers are strongly advised to refrain from stocking these goods and to verify the authenticity of all supplies,” the statement cautioned.

The company further urged retailers to source products only from its accredited distributors in the Greater Accra Region, including Magvane (Aunty Maggie), Filaseg (Okaishie), Mikbea (Ashaiman), First HR (Madina), Express Premium (Nsawam), Rehoboath Christ the King (Nsawam), Komapa (Amasaman), Gyamfi Bio (Kasoa), and Mashyak (Kasoa).

Three Dreamer Manufacturing also appealed to the general public to avoid purchasing any products suspected to have originated from the flood-affected site, warning that they may pose health risks.

Addressing recent media reports regarding staff welfare, the company described claims that it neglects employee wellbeing as false.

Management stated that workers are paid above the minimum wage, provided with transportation and daily meals, and covered by insurance and SSNIT contributions in line with legal requirements.

Flooded office of the company

The company further noted that it operates an in-house clinic offering free medical care to staff and provides compensation for workplace injuries, describing employee welfare as a core operational value that extends beyond its workforce to the wider community.

“We remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of our products and the wellbeing of the public. We appreciate the continued support of our partners, customers, and the community during this challenging period,” the statement added.

Three Dreamer Manufacturing says it is taking decisive steps to protect its supply chain and ensure that only safe, verified products reach the market.

The donation forms part of the MP’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services within the constituency and was presented on her behalf by a delegation from her office, led by the Constituency Secretary, Emmanuel Ndarko Benle.

Presenting the items, Mr Benle said the gesture reflects the MP’s dedication to improving the welfare of residents by supporting health facilities with essential equipment needed to provide quality healthcare.

He noted that access to quality healthcare remains one of Madam Affo-Toffey’s key priorities and assured residents that she would continue to collaborate with stakeholders to address the needs of health institutions across the Jomoro Constituency.

Management and staff of the Beyin Methodist Health Centre expressed appreciation to the MP for the timely intervention, describing the donation as a welcome relief that would enhance patient comfort and improve service delivery at the facility.

They explained that the mattresses would help replace worn-out ones and create a more conducive environment for patients receiving treatment.

Community members who witnessed the presentation also commended Hon. Dorcas Affo-Toffey for her continued support for healthcare and other development initiatives in the constituency, expressing optimism that such interventions would contribute to improving the quality of life of residents.

The donation forms part of a series of community development initiatives being undertaken by the MP to support critical sectors, including health, education and social welfare, as efforts continue to improve living standards in the Jomoro Constituency.

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The meeting, held at the Tamale Teaching Hospital on Monday, focused on evaluating the implementation of the Trust Fund’s pilot phase, reviewing ongoing patient onboarding and treatment, and addressing operational challenges that could affect the smooth rollout of the initiative.

A key highlight of the discussions was the assessment of the Trust Fund’s 50-patient pilot programme, under which Tamale Teaching Hospital successfully provided care for four patients referred through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.

The review enabled both institutions to examine lessons from the pilot, identify best practices, and determine areas requiring improvement as the programme expands.

Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, underscored the importance of continuous engagement with partner hospitals to ensure that patients enrolled on the programme receive timely, quality, and uninterrupted care.

She explained that the visit was intended to obtain first-hand feedback on how patient onboarding and treatment are progressing, while identifying bottlenecks that could slow service delivery.

“We want to ensure that every eligible patient who comes onto the programme is able to access treatment without unnecessary delays. It is important that we work closely with our partner hospitals to address any operational challenges early so that they do not affect patient care,” she said.

Ms Darko-Opoku reaffirmed the Trust Fund’s commitment to working collaboratively with healthcare institutions across the country to improve access to specialist treatment for Ghanaians living with chronic diseases.

Management of Tamale Teaching Hospital welcomed the engagement, describing it as timely and essential in strengthening the partnership. They expressed appreciation for the Trust Fund’s collaborative approach and reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to delivering quality care to beneficiaries of the programme.

The meeting concluded with both institutions agreeing on practical steps to address the issues identified, streamline patient onboarding processes, and deepen collaboration to ensure the Ghana Medical Trust Fund continues to deliver lifesaving support to patients who need it most.

According to a public announcement issued by the Ministry, the recruitment process will begin on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Qualified applicants are required to submit their applications through the Ministry’s online recruitment portal, where they will be allowed to select their preferred districts for posting.

The Ministry said available vacancies are within the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Ahmadiyya Health Service, and the Mental Health Authority.

Applicants have until Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. to complete and submit their applications.

The Ministry further announced that medical and dental officers from the 34th and 35th batches who previously applied but were not posted may also participate in the current recruitment exercise.

However, it noted that their placements will be limited to their originally assigned regions, subject to the availability of vacancies.

The Ministry emphasised that the recruitment process is transparent and cautioned applicants against dealing with individuals who claim they can facilitate recruitment for a fee.

It advised prospective applicants not to make any payments to any person in connection with the recruitment exercise, warning that such claims are fraudulent.

The Ministry urged all qualified applicants to adhere to the application guidelines and complete the process within the stipulated deadline.

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The move comes amid growing concerns that food items exposed to floodwater could find their way into markets and pose serious public health risks to consumers.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, explained that the intervention is aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring strict enforcement of sanitation and food safety by-laws.

According to him, the Assembly is focused on preventing the circulation of contaminated food products, especially in areas where shops, warehouses, markets and vending points were submerged or affected by floodwater.

He noted that floodwater often carries sewage, waste, chemicals and other hazardous substances, making any exposed food unsafe for human consumption if not properly inspected and removed.

As part of the enforcement measures, the “Tankas” have been tasked to inspect markets, identify unsafe food items, support disinfection exercises, and ensure compliance with public health regulations across affected communities.

The AMA has also warned traders and food vendors against drying, repackaging or selling items that may have come into contact with floodwater, stressing that offenders will face sanctions under the Assembly’s by-laws.

The mayor further indicated that the post-flood response will not be limited to clean-up exercises but will also include continuous public education, routine inspections and sustained enforcement activities to prevent future health risks.

The Assembly is urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected sale of contaminated food items to Environmental Health Officers for immediate action.

Officials say the intensified monitoring is necessary to protect consumers and restore confidence in food safety systems following the widespread flooding in the metropolis.

According to the Society, the provision of adequate security, tax relief, and guaranteed market access will enable pharmacies to operate 24 hours, boost business growth, and improve health outcomes for Ghanaians.

President of PSGH, Dr (Pharm.) Paul Owusu Donkor, made this known at the 2nd Quarter Meeting of the Ashanti Regional branch of the Society.

The meeting was held under the theme: “Securing Pharmacies for the 24-Hour Economy and Free Primary Healthcare Framework.”

Dr Owusu Donkor noted that extending pharmacy operations beyond regular hours will improve access to essential medicines, especially in emergency situations and for shift workers.

“We are tapping into the 24-hour economy agenda. At today’s meeting, the Regional Minister outlined the benefits for us, including tax waivers, the provision of security personnel, and training for our members. Our service is not only limited to curative care, but we are also engaged in promotive and preventive healthcare. So being open for this length of time means that Ghanaians will be healthier because pharmacies will always be available and accessible,” he said.

He, however, urged government to work with stakeholders to address challenges such as security, staffing, electricity, and logistics to ensure the sustainability of the policy.

The PSGH President also commended government for investing GH¢36.2 million to support specialist training for over 2,200 healthcare professionals, including 100 specialist pharmacists, through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) under the “MahamaCares” initiative.

He said the investment demonstrates government’s commitment to building human capacity in the health sector and will help bridge the specialist gap in both public and private healthcare facilities.

Delivering the keynote address, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, pledged government’s full support for the successful implementation of the 24-Hour Economy policy, particularly in the health sector.

He explained that the policy is designed to create jobs, increase productivity, and improve access to essential services for all Ghanaians, regardless of the time of day.

“The 24-Hour Economy is not just about keeping shops open. It is about creating jobs, improving access to services, and ensuring that Ghanaians can get healthcare when they need it most. Government will work with security agencies, the Ghana Police Service, and local authorities to provide adequate security for pharmacies and markets operating around the clock,” he stated.

Dr Amoakohene further noted that the Ashanti Region, as a commercial hub, stands to benefit significantly from the initiative, with extended pharmacy hours expected to reduce pressure on hospital emergency units and improve health outcomes.

On the Free Primary Healthcare Framework, the Regional Minister called on PSGH to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to lead public education and ensure citizens, especially in underserved communities, are aware of and can access the services.

“We need your expertise to take this message to the grassroots. If people don’t know these services exist, they cannot benefit. Pharmacists are trusted voices in our communities, and you have a key role to play,” he added.

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Speaking at the commissioning of a new hostel facility at Wisconsin International University College at Feyiase in the Ashanti Region, the Minister said expanding access to medical training beyond traditional hubs is critical to meeting the country’s healthcare needs.

According to him, the decentralisation drive will help deploy more doctors to underserved communities.

“This will help us get more doctors across the country,” he stated. “Currently, we have more nurses all over the country, and we need to balance that with an increased number of doctors.”

The Minister also referenced ongoing reforms in professional education, pointing to government’s efforts in legal education as a model.

“Many of you know that the NDC government is very determined to demystify legal education. That is why we have a new law on legal education. So very soon we will shift it to the area of medicine. In times past, there were very few people studying law. Now the numbers are multiplying, and it should be the same for medicine,” he said.

He explained that by removing barriers to entry and expanding training institutions, government expects a surge in medical school admissions similar to what has been achieved in legal education.

The new hostel facility at Wisconsin International University College is expected to accommodate more health science students as the institution expands its medical and allied health programmes.

Stakeholders at the event, including traditional leaders and educationists, welcomed the initiative, saying improved access to medical education will reduce pressure on major teaching hospitals and help retain medical professionals in the regions.

The government says the expansion forms part of broader investments under its human capital development agenda aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery nationwide.

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Addressing the Annual General and Scientific Conference of the Ghanaian Society of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons, the Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, said sustainable specialist healthcare cannot be achieved by building hospitals and training doctors alone, but by ensuring that patients can afford the lifesaving treatment available to them.

She noted that financial hardship remains one of the greatest barriers preventing many Ghanaians living with chronic non-communicable diseases from accessing specialised cardiovascular and thoracic care.

She added that the Trust Fund was established by John Dramani Mahama to reduce that burden and promote equitable access to quality healthcare.

Ms Darko-Opoku revealed that during the Trust Fund’s pilot phase, 50 patients living with chronic diseases received financial support, with 13 undergoing life-saving cardiovascular and thoracic surgeries at the National Cardiothoracic Centre.

She commended Ghana’s cardiothoracic surgeons for their expertise, saying their work transformed the Fund’s financial support into renewed hope and improved health outcomes for patients.

“Together, we gave thirteen Ghanaians another chance at life,” she said.

Beyond direct patient support, Ms Darko-Opoku announced that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund is partnering with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons to train more medical specialists to strengthen Ghana’s specialist healthcare workforce.

She also disclosed that the Fund is financing the establishment of three state-of-the-art cardiac catheterisation laboratories at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital to improve diagnosis, facilitate minimally invasive cardiac procedures and reduce delays in treatment.

According to her, these investments form part of a long-term strategy to build a resilient cardiovascular healthcare system capable of addressing Ghana’s growing burden of heart disease.

Ms Darko-Opoku called on healthcare professionals, hospitals, development partners and the private sector to strengthen collaboration with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to ensure that specialist healthcare becomes both sustainable and accessible to every Ghanaian.

“The true measure of a sustainable cardiovascular and thoracic surgery programme is whether the ordinary Ghanaian who needs specialised care can access that care at the right time, in the right place and without financial hardship becoming a barrier to survival,” she emphasised.

The conference, held under the theme, “Capacity Building for Sustainable Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Programmes in Ghana,” brought together leading surgeons, healthcare administrators and policymakers to discuss the future of specialist cardiac care in the country.

Ms Darko-Opoku reiterated that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund remains committed to partnering with the Ghanaian Society of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons and other stakeholders to build a healthcare system where excellence in specialist care is matched by affordable access for every Ghanaian.

The commitment was made during a courtesy call by the Administrator of the GMTF, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, on the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, where she sought the support of traditional leaders in advancing the Fund’s mandate.

She described traditional rulers as trusted custodians of their communities whose influence would be vital in raising awareness of the Fund and encouraging eligible patients to access its support.

Ms Darko-Opoku explained that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established by John Dramani Mahama to reduce the financial burden on patients suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases, including cancer, kidney disease requiring dialysis, heart conditions and stroke.

According to her, the partnership with the National House of Chiefs would also help ease the pressure on traditional leaders, who are frequently called upon to provide financial assistance for expensive medical treatment in their communities.

“The Ghana Medical Trust Fund provides a lasting national solution that complements the generosity of our chiefs. It means they will no longer have to shoulder this burden alone because there is now a national mechanism dedicated to supporting their people,” she said.

She noted that although government had established the Fund, its long-term success would depend on partnerships with institutions that command public trust.

Ms Darko-Opoku appealed to chiefs across the country to educate their communities about the Fund, encourage eligible patients to apply for assistance and help address misinformation surrounding the initiative.

She also highlighted progress made so far, including nationwide health facility needs assessments, the development of a digital application and claims platform, beneficiary support systems and plans to establish cardiac catheterisation laboratories at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, assured the delegation of the House’s unwavering commitment to the success of the Trust Fund.

He pledged that the National House of Chiefs would actively promote the initiative across the country and educate communities about the relief it offers families struggling with the high cost of specialised healthcare.

Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II also urged Regional and Traditional Houses of Chiefs to organise similar engagements in their respective jurisdictions and serve as ambassadors for the Fund.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, described the endorsement as a major milestone that would boost public confidence in the Fund.

He said the influence of chiefs would encourage more people to embrace the initiative and ensure that financial hardship does not prevent Ghanaians from accessing essential healthcare.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Health, Hafez Adam Taher thanked the National House of Chiefs for their support and willingness to serve as advocates for the Fund.

He said the partnership between government and traditional authorities would play a critical role in helping the GMTF achieve its objective of restoring hope, saving lives and ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied treatment due to financial constraints.

The Bono East Regional Minister, Francis Owusu Antwi, also accompanied the delegation during the visit.

The endorsement is expected to strengthen public awareness of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and reinforce national efforts to improve access to specialised healthcare for patients living with chronic diseases across the country.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Ms Klutsey said food items being sold in markets after the floods may have been exposed to contaminated floodwaters.

“If you buy foodstuffs now from the market, they might not be that healthy. Let your family’s health be your priority,” she cautioned.

She urged consumers to thoroughly wash vegetables before consumption to reduce the risk of foodborne diseases.

“But the vegetables, take them home and wash them thoroughly. Use vinegar or salt when washing,” she advised.

Ms Klutsey also encouraged shoppers to avoid buying vegetables displayed on the ground, as they are more likely to have come into contact with contaminated water.

“Don’t buy vegetables from the floor. Buy the ones displayed on tables,” she said.

According to the environmental health expert, soaking vegetables in a vinegar solution for 10 to 15 minutes can help remove dirt and reduce contamination.

“Soak your vegetables for about 10 to 15 minutes in vinegar,” she recommended.

She further advised the public to consume freshly prepared hot meals whenever possible, noting that home-cooked food offers greater assurance of safety.

“Make sure you eat hot foods as well. When you cook your own food, you have the confidence that it is safe rather than someone else preparing it for you,” she added.

Her advice comes in the wake of the June 29 floods, which inundated several communities, markets and roads, raising concerns about food safety and the potential outbreak of waterborne and foodborne diseases.

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Mobile phones had been displaying the time on their LCD screens for almost a decade by this point — and the anxiety of how they might replace the traditional wristwatch was already in full swing. “Many young people see them as obsolete as sundials,” read one 2005 newspaper article. “For them, cell phones are the new watches.”

Throughout his life, the time has been available to Fry on iPhone screens, laptops, TVs, electric ovens, central heating systems, Nintendo DS’s and even beamed eeriely through bathroom mirrors. Which makes it all the more interesting that Fry has collected more than 35 watches, averaging between $1,000 and $2,000 a piece.

So far, his prized possession is a Tag Heuer Carrera — a silver linked piece with a deep magenta bezel which he bought for around $3,500. One day, Fry hopes to have a H Moser on his wrist, though some models retail for roughly around $50,000.

He’s already tried on his favorite, featuring a vanta black dial and no indexes, in the shop. “It’s just to die for,” he said.

Aged 22, Fry is part of a growing Gen Z cohort of watch lovers. According to secondhand luxury watch retailer Bezel, those under 30 account for a third of the company’s transactions. This group has been previously underestimated by legacy brands, said Bezel’s CEO Quaid Walker.

“I think the watch world is just starting to really pay attention to younger demographics,” he told CNN. According to Walker, the Gen Z market are the ones on average spending the most on a single watch purchase.

Longines, the storied luxury Swiss watchmaker, has also noticed an uptick in younger customers — particularly in those looking to restore or service older pieces.

Thiago Abrantes, an assistant manager in London, said around 50% of those he encountered at the city’s flagship store looking to service a watch were under 30. He put it down to inheritance. “A lot of people get a watch from dad as a gift,” he said.

Although his friends are catching on, Fry’s level of enthusiasm for watches means he is still “an outlier” amongst his peers. He makes YouTube videos from his home in Utah discussing his latest obsession and new releases from brands.

He also gives virtual tours of his formidable vintage collection, which includes pieces from the ‘60s, ‘70s and even a Zenith pocket watch from last century. His interest, he says, is partly down to a curiosity in our cultural history. “

They were a real companion in someone’s life, and because of their necessity, they had to be used every single day,” Fry said in a phone call. “There’s something deeply fascinating and almost sacred about holding and owning a piece that has gone through so much.”

That same sense of nostalgia could be driving design preferences, too. According to data collected in 2025 by luxury watch resale marketplace Chrono24, Gen Z buy more classic dress watches than any other age demographic.

The number of timepieces in this style — slim, formal with simple dials in gold, silver and often with a leather strap, like the Cartier Tank Louis Cartier, the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony or a vintage Seiko — bought by those aged between 14 and 28 has risen 44% since 2018. “It anchors onto a time when things were collected, or made to last,” said Walker.

Dahyn Lee, owner of the online vintage watch shop Teia Collective, says that over 45% of her 10,000 followers on Instagram are Gen Z. “They grew up in this highly digital enviroment… It seems to me that it only intensified their desire for tactile and tangible objects,” she said.

Once a month Lee sells her collection, sourced through a mix of antique fairs, eBay, and relationships cultivated with Japanese sellers, at vintage markets in London.

With prices ranging from $60 to $460, these are entry-level purchases. She said teenagers will often approach her stall and choose a piece because “this is just like what my grandma used to wear.”

“I think it almost works as a connection to the past,” Lee said. “They can feel nostalgic for a time when they didn’t even exist.”

Gendered watches? A waste of time

Lee’s customers are also “obsessed” with dainty ladies watches — no matter their gender. “I’ve sold quite a lot of what is categorized as women’s watches to guys,” she said. “And then there are girls who ask for men’s watches as well.”

Fry also owns a number of timepieces originally designed for women. “I wasn’t brave enough to start wearing smaller, more feminine pieces until Timothée Chalamet wore that Cartier Panthère,” he said, referencing Chalamet’s 2024 “Dune: Part II” red carpet look in Mexico City. “Especially because he and I have very similar physiques. It was just that initial spark.

Abrantes echoes that celebrity influence is huge in the watch world — especially for those starting out and figuring out their taste — giving younger customers permission to buck trends, discover independent brands and break convention.

After the Academy Awards, which saw A-listers such as Hudson Williams, Michael B. Jordan, Shaboozey and Pedro Pascal experiment with smaller, more feminine styles, Abrantes had customers coming into Longines with screenshots from the red carpet looking for similar pieces. “People come in and try it on for curiosity. Sometimes they buy, sometimes they don’t,” he said.

“We have the same experience,” said Walker, whose app Bezel pairs customers with an in-house watch expert who can provide research, advice and purchase suggestions on request. “Folks will say, ‘I’m buying my first watch,’ and they’ll show us a photo of someone on the (red) carpet wearing something interesting,” he added.

This concierge service can alert younger shoppers to lesser known names, deepening brand knowledge outside of stereotypical big hitters like Rolex or Patek Phillippe. “It’s not just ‘I want to collect this watch because everyone else collects this watch,’” Walker said. “It’s actually an inversion of that.”

Lee says her shoppers are even more keen to prioritise design over specific brand cache — or sometimes in her experience, even function. “I see my customers as predominantly people who love beautiful things, rather than people who are obsessed with watches,” she said.

“All of my watches listed on my website are working, but then sometimes when I see something very special in terms of design, I do collect and sell it at the market,” Lee added. “Some customers really don’t mind a watch not working because they actually want a bracelet. I think that is very characteristic of Gen Z.” It’s often more about “the look,” she says.

Sometimes, a 14 or 15 year old — birth year: circa 2011, reigning mobile phone design: iPhone 4 — bounds up to her stall excitedly, about to buy a piece. “And then they tell their friends, ‘I don’t even know how to read time.’”

Most people can roll with a rough day, take a breath, and move on once things calm down. But when one bad day starts turning into another and another, it may no longer be just stress or a rough patch.

It could be unresolved anger showing up in ways someone has not yet fully noticed. Anger is a normal human emotion, but when people carry it around for too long, it can start to change how they talk, react, blame others, and pull away from the people around them.

The behaviors below are signs that someone may be carrying around a lot of unresolved anger, along with a few healthier ways to start changing course.

People carrying around a lot of unresolved anger often display these behaviors:

1. They blame other people for almost everything

If we find that we’re overly critical or judgmental in specific situations or across the board, we could be harboring some self-inflicted anger. Blaming others can also stem from needing to be right all the time or not seeing ourselves as possibly part of the problem.

Instead… practice putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.

Before we judge, overreact, or verbally assault someone, we can think about how we would feel if we were in another person’s situation. Knowing how we would feel if the shoe was on the other foot can help temper our responses.

2. They overreact quickly, and other people have noticed

If someone takes every small comment personally or becomes verbally harsh, this could be a sign of underlying anger. When other people start feeling like they have to walk on eggshells around us and have limited to no compassion for others, it may be time to take an honest look at our thoughts and behavior. 

Instead… accept that you won’t be right all the time.

Obviously we know, at least intellectually, that we cannot always be right. But when we are stuck in long-term anger, it can be hard not to feel this way and react as if we believe we are right or infallible. 

Acceptance is realizing that sometimes we don’t have all the facts, so we can’t have all the answers, and we can’t always be right. Acceptance is being okay with that, which leads to finding compassion and humility in ourselves and others.

3. They pull away from other people

When we become angry with everyone and everything, we may start to limit our social interactions to avoid outbursts or situations that might set us off. In addition, we could start feeling ill more regularly.

Anger has negative physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual side effects that can also keep people from enjoying spending time with others, limiting their tolerance levels, and therefore withdrawing from their normal social circle.  

Instead… seek out someone to talk with about our anger.

This is a good time to locate someone to confide in who will not just dismiss your feelings, coddle you, or over-indulge you in extremes. Find a person (therapist, anger management specialist, close friend, or family member) or group of people who will listen, respond non-judgmentally, and offer positive insight and inspiration.

When we are angry, especially when it’s consistent, it’s easy to see things negatively; anger overshadows and overpowers. Finding the light is difficult when we can’t see anything but darkness.

But giving ourselves a tangible reminder that there is always light available to us can offer us a simple ray of hope.

A photo, a necklace, a quote, and even a flashlight can serve as a physical reminder that our inner light exists. When the going gets tough, even someone experiencing long-term grief can find the way back to their light essence.

Pamela Aloia is a certified feng shui consultant, a certified grief coach, a Reiki master/teacher, and an author helping people become better versions of themselves through individual sessions, energy work, meditation, and more.

Addressing a high-level stakeholder engagement in Accra, the Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, described the Medicines List as more than simply a catalogue of approved medicines.

She said it is a carefully designed national framework that identifies medicines eligible for funding under the Trust Fund while establishing reimbursement prices and standardised treatment protocols to promote transparency, consistency and accountability.

According to her, the initiative demonstrates the Trust Fund’s commitment to ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied access to essential medicines because of financial constraints.

“The Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established to respond to one of the greatest challenges confronting healthcare in Ghana: the enormous financial burden associated with chronic and high-cost non-communicable diseases,” she stated.

Ms. Darko-Opoku noted that many Ghanaian families are often forced to exhaust their savings, sell valuable assets or launch public fundraising appeals to finance treatment for illnesses such as cancer, kidney disease and cardiovascular conditions.

She explained that the Trust Fund seeks to change this reality by ensuring that access to specialised healthcare is determined by medical need rather than a patient’s ability to pay.

The Administrator disclosed that the Medicines List was developed from the revised national Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for cancers in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, ensuring that every medicine covered by the Fund is supported by clinical evidence and nationally accepted treatment standards.

She added that the Trust Fund and the Ministry of Health have successfully negotiated prices for selected medicines to make treatment more affordable while ensuring value for public funds.

“This Medicines List provides certainty for patients, healthcare providers, pharmacies and suppliers. It creates a common reference point that promotes fairness, transparency and confidence across the entire healthcare delivery system,” she said.

Ms. Darko-Opoku stressed that financing medicines alone would not be sufficient to guarantee quality healthcare delivery.

She said uninterrupted medicine availability, efficient procurement systems, predictable reimbursement processes and strong collaboration across the pharmaceutical value chain would be critical to the Fund’s success.

She therefore called on pharmaceutical manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, regulators, healthcare providers and development partners to work together to ensure sustainable pricing, effective supply chain management and continuous availability of medicines.

“Our responsibility is not only to establish a Trust Fund,” she emphasised. “Our responsibility is to build a financing system that is transparent, accountable, efficient and sustainable — a system that inspires confidence among patients, healthcare providers and every institution involved in its implementation.”

She also announced that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Tariff Operational Manual has received approval from the Minister for Health, providing clear procedures for service costing, claims processing, provider reimbursement and financial accountability. According to her, the operational framework lays a solid foundation for the implementation of the Trust Fund.

“The success of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund will be measured by whether a patient who needs treatment can access it at the right time, in the right place and without being overwhelmed by financial hardship,” she stated.

The stakeholder engagement brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Food and Drugs Authority, the National Health Insurance Authority, the Ghana Health Service, teaching hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, pharmacies, development partners and professional bodies to strengthen collaboration towards the successful implementation of the Medicines List.

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In a press release issued on Tuesday, July 1, the NHIA said the initiative will benefit all flood victims, including their dependants, to ensure they have access to healthcare without financial constraints.

The Authority said the decision was announced by its Chief Executive, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, as an urgent intervention to safeguard the health of residents in communities affected by the devastating floods.

According to the NHIA, the flooding has disrupted sanitation systems, contaminated water sources and heightened the risk of outbreaks of diarrhoea, cholera and other waterborne diseases.

The Authority stressed that the free registration exercise is intended to ensure that victims and their families can seek prompt medical attention as health officials monitor the post-flood disease situation.

“No Ghanaian should be denied access to quality healthcare because of a natural disaster. With an imminent outbreak of diarrhoea and cholera following the floods, this free registration will ensure that victims and their families can seek timely treatment without financial burden,” Dr. Bampoe stated.

The NHIA urged flood victims to take advantage of the initiative while continuing to observe public health and sanitation measures to reduce the spread of waterborne diseases.

The announcement comes in the wake of the June 29 floods that affected thousands of residents across the Greater Accra Region, causing loss of lives, displacement and widespread destruction of homes and property.

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In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, the Foundation said it has received a significant increase in distress calls and requests for assistance from patients and caregivers across the country.

According to FoSCel, the seasonal conditions have triggered more painful sickle cell crises, infections and other serious complications, leading to higher hospital admissions and placing emotional and financial strain on affected families.

The Foundation is therefore calling on government, the Ministry of Health, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), healthcare providers, development partners, corporate organisations and the general public to strengthen support for sickle cell patients during this period.

“The cold weather and seasonal changes have contributed to a rise in painful sickle cell crises, infections and other serious complications,” the Foundation said, adding that the increase in hospital admissions highlights the vulnerability of many patients during the rainy season.

FoSCel also issued practical advice to patients and caregivers, urging them to take proactive steps to stay safe.

It advised patients to keep warm at all times, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, take prescribed medications consistently, avoid prolonged exposure to cold weather and seek immediate medical attention at the earliest signs of a crisis.

Describing sickle cell disease as a major public health concern in Ghana, the Foundation stressed that no person living with the condition should suffer or lose their life due to lack of access to prompt care and essential medicines.

FoSCel appealed to stakeholders to treat the situation with urgency, noting that a coordinated national response is essential to protect vulnerable patients throughout the rainy season and beyond.

It reaffirmed its commitment to working with government agencies, healthcare institutions, civil society, development partners and the media to improve awareness, strengthen support systems and advocate for better policies.

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Read the full statement below:

The testing kits are critical for confirming HIV status, particularly among pregnant women and in emergency cases.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana  News Agency, Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, President of the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET), warned that the depletion of current supplies could undermine progress toward epidemic control and stall efforts to meet global HIV targets.

He noted that the current consignment of HIV test kits and reagents would last only until July, after which testing services across the country could be disrupted.

Ortsin explained that without urgent intervention, the shortage could delay diagnosis, restrict access to antiretroviral therapy, and increase the risk of new infections.

“Shortages mean fewer people can be tested, increasing the risk of undetected HIV infections.” he said.

This development, he said, would threaten Ghana’s progress towards achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV are diagnosed, 95% t are on treatment, and 95% achieve viral suppression.

The testing commodities, both oral and blood testing kits, were provided by Global Fund from 2024-2026, with the arrangement that the government of Ghana would purchase the rest after the Global Fund had supplied theirs from the third year (2026).

The delay on the part of the government could be attributed to funding gaps, procurement delays, and heavy reliance on donor support for HIV-related supplies.

The GHANET President called for emergency procurement measures, improved supply chain management, and increased government financing to avert any crisis.

He expressed the worry that Ghana still relied heavily on external partners for HIV commodities, with limited domestic production capacity for test kits and reagents, and urged the government to consider the exploration of local manufacturing partnerships to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the sustainability of Ghana’s HIV response.

He also called for the establishment of buffer stocks to cushion the system against future supply disruptions.

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The outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no tested ​vaccine or treatment, has infected 1,307 people and ​killed 377 in the Democratic Republic of Congo ⁠since being declared on May 15, the government says.

A ​much smaller number of cases have been reported in ​Uganda, and experts warn of the possibility of it spreading to other neighbours, such as South Sudan.

“If we have the resources ​and we step up, we can contain this outbreak ​and prevent further losses,” said Damien Mama, United Nations Development Programme resident representative ‌in Congo.

“If we do not, this health emergency risks becoming a much deeper and prolonged development crisis across the region and potentially the continent.”

The UNDP outlined three ​scenarios for the ​outbreak. In the best-case scenario, where the epidemic remains contained in the two countries, the cost to Congo’s GDP is $ 1 billion, the report said.

In ⁠the worst-case scenario, the disease spreads to countries including Rwanda and Angola and coincides with higher fuel costs linked ⁠to ​the Iran crisis, cutting continental GDP ​by $3.6 billion and resulting in 328,000 job losses, the report said.

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The caution was given during a health sensitisation programme organised by the Health Unit of the Sekondi Central Prison, where officers were educated on hypertension, prostate health, diabetes and the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles.

The Officer in Charge of the Health Unit, ADP Anthony Sani Akinbola, advised individuals seeking to build muscle to do so naturally through regular exercise, proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits rather than relying on performance-enhancing drugs.

According to him, steroid abuse has been linked to a number of health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease and hormonal imbalances, making natural fitness the safest and most sustainable approach.

He also encouraged the public to adopt healthy habits such as engaging in regular physical activity, eating balanced meals, drinking adequate water, reducing alcohol consumption and limiting the intake of salt and sugary carbonated drinks to lower the risk of hypertension and other lifestyle-related diseases.

Speaking on diabetes, ASP Ruth Osei-Bonsu noted that although the condition has no cure, it can be effectively managed through healthy living, regular monitoring and adherence to prescribed treatment. She also urged the public to disregard common myths surrounding the disease and seek accurate medical information.

The sensitisation programme concluded with free health screenings, including blood pressure and blood glucose checks, as participants received medical advice and appropriate medication where necessary.

Health experts continue to encourage the public to prioritise preventive healthcare through routine medical check-ups and healthier lifestyle choices to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases.

The Service says the onset of the rainy season, combined with recent flood situations, has heightened the likelihood of contamination of water sources as rainwater may carry faecal matter into drinking water systems.

According to the GHS, the early rains also create favourable conditions for the spread of other diseases, including malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever, due to increased mosquito breeding in stagnant water collected in containers such as cans, tyres and other waste materials.

The Service further cautioned that vegetables grown near water bodies may also become contaminated during this period, posing additional health risks if not properly handled or washed.

The GHS has urged the public to strictly adhere to preventive measures, including maintaining clean surroundings, clearing bushes around homes, ensuring proper cooking of food, and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water, salt or vinegar.

Residents have also been advised to regularly wash their hands with soap under running water, purchase food from hygienic sources, and seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility when symptoms of illness appear.

The Service also warned that flooding could displace reptiles from their natural habitats, increasing the risk of human contact. It advised residents to keep doors and windows secured where possible, elevate household items, and clear surroundings of bushes and potential hiding places.

Food vendors have also been reminded to adhere to strict hygiene practices, including sourcing food from approved suppliers, separating raw and cooked foods, and ensuring valid food handling certifications.

The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service say they remain committed to safeguarding public health and have called for cooperation from all citizens to prevent potential disease outbreaks during the rainy season.

The event attracted healthcare professionals, community leaders, dignitaries, and hundreds of residents who took advantage of the free medical screening services.

Chief Executive Officer of Jimah Labs Diagnostics and Imaging Centre, Dr. Philip Gyapon Gyimah, reaffirmed his commitment to providing accurate, affordable, and quality diagnostic and imaging services to the people of Abuakwa and beyond.

He noted that the establishment of the modern laboratory is aimed at improving access to quality healthcare while supporting doctors with timely and reliable laboratory investigations.

The occasion was graced by the mother of the CEO, Madam Juliana Adutwumwaa, Chief Executive Officer of Adutwumwaa Herbal Industries, who urged residents of Abuakwa to make their health a top priority by undergoing regular medical check-ups.

“Good health is our greatest asset. I encourage everyone in Abuakwa to visit Jimah Labs regularly for routine health screening and early detection of diseases. Prevention is always better than cure,” she emphasized.

Municipal Disease Control Officer, Saddick Adams Agyare, urged staff of the facility to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and ethical conduct in the delivery of healthcare services.

According to him, maintaining quality service and patient-centred care would earn the confidence and trust of the public.

The Assembly Member for the Abuakwa Electoral Area also appealed to residents to patronize the services of Jimah Labs whenever healthcare providers request laboratory investigations.

He explained that increased public support would enable the facility to expand its operations and establish additional branches across the district, thereby making quality diagnostic healthcare more accessible to surrounding communities.

The event received support from medical professionals from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and SDA Hospital, Kwadaso, who joined the Jimah Labs team to provide free health screening services, including blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, health education, and medical consultations.

Many beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing it as timely and beneficial, while commending the management of Jimah Labs for investing in quality healthcare services within the Abuakwa community.

The successful launch marks the beginning of what many believe will be a new chapter in accessible and reliable diagnostic healthcare in the Ashanti Region, with Jimah Labs positioning itself as a trusted centre for precision diagnostics and improved patient care.

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Delivering remarks on behalf of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson at the opening of the 2026 CHAG Annual Conference in Koforidua, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Theo Acheampong, said the changing global financing landscape makes stronger collaboration between government, CHAG and the private sector more important than ever.

“Beyond public financing, we must also recognise that the global financing environment is changing. Development assistance is becoming increasingly constrained, and Ghana is already experiencing the effects of declining overseas development support,” he said.

According to Dr. Acheampong, the reduction in external development financing means Ghana can no longer depend heavily on donor support to fund essential healthcare services.

“This means we must increasingly finance our own development priorities. That requires stronger domestic systems, improved public financing, greater efficiency, careful prioritisation and stronger accountability,” he stated.

He said government is therefore looking beyond traditional public financing and is pursuing innovative approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of the country’s health system.

“It also requires innovation. The future of healthcare financing will increasingly depend on innovative financing instruments, stronger public-private partnerships and greater mobilisation of private capital to complement government investment,” he said.

Dr. Acheampong described CHAG as an indispensable partner in that strategy, citing its nationwide network, community trust and decades of service in rural and underserved communities.

“Government cannot achieve this vision alone. We need CHAG. Together, we have the opportunity to build one of Africa’s strongest community-based healthcare systems – one that is sustainably financed, efficiently managed and deeply rooted in public trust,” he said.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with CHAG as part of efforts to deliver the Free Primary Health Care programme and achieve Universal Health Coverage.

“A partnership in which government provides the enabling policy environment and financing framework, and CHAG continues to deliver compassionate, efficient and trusted healthcare,” he added.

The Finance Ministry also announced that CHAG facilities will receive their fair share of equipment and infrastructure investments under the Free Primary Health Care programme, while government continues reforms aimed at strengthening the financial sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Dr. Acheampong said Parliament has approved GH¢10.7 billion for the NHIS in 2025, including GH¢6.5 billion for provider claims, describing it as one of the strongest commitments to health provider payments in recent years.

The Christian Health Association of Ghana operates 375 health facilities across all 16 regions and provides between 30 and 40 per cent of healthcare services nationwide, despite owning only about seven per cent of the country’s health infrastructure. Its network serves between eight and ten million patients annually and remains one of government’s principal partners in delivering healthcare to rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Theo Acheampong, announced the allocation while delivering a speech on behalf of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) in Koforidua.

According to him, the allocation reflects government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare financing following the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Fund, which has made more resources available for health spending.

“We are pleased to report that there are now more resources available to support these critical investments. Following the uncapping of National Health Insurance Fund resources, additional funding is now available to strengthen the National Health Insurance Authority and support priority investments across the health sector,” he said.

Dr. Acheampong said government recognises that delayed reimbursements have long affected healthcare providers, making timely claims payments a key priority under the new financing arrangements.

“For 2025, Parliament approved GH¢10.7 billion for the NHIS, of which GH¢6.5 billion has been allocated for claims payments. This represents one of the strongest commitments to provider payments in recent years,” he stated.

He said the objective is to ensure healthcare providers spend more time caring for patients instead of pursuing outstanding reimbursements.

“Our objective is simple. Health facilities should spend more time caring for patients and less time chasing outstanding claims,” he added.

The funding comes as government rolls out the Free Primary Healthcare programme, one of its flagship health reforms designed to remove financial barriers to essential healthcare while strengthening disease prevention, health promotion and early diagnosis.

According to Dr. Acheampong, sustaining the programme will require a financially stable National Health Insurance Scheme capable of reimbursing service providers promptly and supporting expanded access to care.

He noted that government would continue investing in health infrastructure, recruit and deploy more health workers and strengthen partnerships with organisations such as CHAG to improve healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities.

The Finance Ministry also reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring CHAG facilities benefit from investments under the Free Primary Healthcare programme, describing the faith-based health provider as a strategic partner in achieving Universal Health Coverage.

“Government cannot achieve Universal Health Coverage alone. Partnership remains essential,” he said.

Beyond public funding, Dr. Acheampong acknowledged that Ghana’s health sector faces increasing pressure from declining development assistance and donor support.

He said this makes it imperative for the country to strengthen domestic health financing, improve efficiency and accountability, and explore innovative financing mechanisms to sustain healthcare delivery.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) in Koforidua, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Theo Acheampong, said government now views healthcare as economic infrastructure essential to national development rather than merely a social service.

“Health is not merely a social service. Health is economic infrastructure,” Dr. Acheampong said.

He explained that investing in healthcare expands access to services, improves workforce productivity and ultimately drives economic growth.

“The strongest currency of any nation is not simply its money. It is the health, productivity and resilience of its people,” he added.

His remarks come as government rolls out the Free Primary Healthcare programme, one of its flagship health reforms aimed at expanding access to preventive healthcare services and accelerating Ghana’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

According to Dr. Acheampong, the programme represents a strategic investment that will reduce the long-term economic cost of disease while improving the wellbeing of the population.

He argued that the country’s healthcare financing has for years been disproportionately focused on treating illness instead of preventing it.

Citing government expenditure data, he said approximately 52 per cent of current health spending goes into curative care while only about 12 per cent is invested in preventive healthcare.

“In practical terms, for every one cedi spent on preventing illness, about four to five cedis are spent treating diseases after they occur. We believe this imbalance must change,” he said.

He noted that shifting investment towards prevention would improve health outcomes, reduce pressure on health facilities and lower future healthcare costs.

Dr. Acheampong said the Ministry of Finance fully supports the Free Primary Healthcare initiative because of its emphasis on disease prevention, health promotion and early detection.

He stressed that stronger primary healthcare systems would help keep Ghanaians healthy and economically productive while reducing avoidable hospital admissions and expensive treatments.

The Finance Ministry also reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare financing.

Dr. Acheampong disclosed that Parliament approved GH¢10.7 billion for the National Health Insurance Scheme this year, with GH¢6.5 billion allocated specifically for claims payments to health service providers.

He said the objective is to ensure health facilities spend more time treating patients instead of pursuing delayed reimbursements.

The Ministry also acknowledged the contribution of the Christian Health Association of Ghana to national healthcare delivery, describing the association as a strategic partner whose facilities continue to serve many rural and underserved communities where access to healthcare remains limited.

According to Dr. Acheampong, achieving Universal Health Coverage will require sustained collaboration between government, faith-based health institutions and development partners.

He said government would continue investing in primary healthcare infrastructure, health workers and innovative financing while strengthening partnerships that improve access to quality healthcare for all Ghanaians.

“The President’s vision is to build a Ghana where quality healthcare is available to every citizen regardless of income, geography or social status,” he said.

Dr. Acheampong urged stakeholders to view healthcare not simply as public expenditure but as an investment in Ghana’s long-term economic transformation, insisting that a healthy population remains the country’s most valuable resource.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson at the opening of the 2026 CHAG Annual Conference in Koforidua, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Theo Acheampong, said government considers CHAG an indispensable partner in achieving Universal Health Coverage and remains committed to strengthening the long-standing partnership between the state and faith-based health providers.

“We are pleased that CHAG facilities will receive their fair share of the equipment and investments being rolled out under the Free Primary Healthcare programme,” Dr. Acheampong announced.

The assurance comes as government accelerates the implementation of the Free Primary Health Care initiative, one of President Mahama administration’s flagship health policies aimed at eliminating financial, geographical and socio-economic barriers to accessing essential healthcare services, particularly for people living in rural and underserved communities.

Dr. Acheampong said government recognises CHAG’s extensive contribution to healthcare delivery, noting that its nationwide network of hospitals, clinics and health centres makes it an essential partner in expanding access to primary healthcare.

“Government cannot achieve this vision alone. We need CHAG. Together, we have the opportunity to build one of Africa’s strongest community-based healthcare systems – one that is sustainably financed, efficiently managed and deeply rooted in public trust,” he said.

He explained that government is implementing several reforms to strengthen the financial sustainability of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which remains central to financing healthcare services across the country.

According to him, Parliament has approved GH¢10.7 billion for the NHIS in 2025, with GH¢6.5 billion specifically allocated for the payment of claims to healthcare providers.

“This represents one of the strongest commitments to provider payments in recent years. Our objective is simple. Health facilities should spend more time caring for patients and less time pursuing outstanding claims,” he said.

Dr. Acheampong added that government would continue supporting the recruitment, deployment and remuneration of healthcare professionals while investing in primary healthcare infrastructure nationwide.

He, however, cautioned that Ghana’s healthcare financing landscape is changing as international development assistance continues to decline.

“Development assistance is becoming increasingly constrained, and Ghana is already experiencing the effects of declining overseas development support. This means we must increasingly finance our own development priorities,” he said.

To sustain investment in healthcare, Dr. Acheampong said government would focus on strengthening domestic resource mobilisation, improving efficiency in public spending and expanding partnerships with the private sector.

“The future of healthcare financing will increasingly depend on innovative financing instruments, stronger public-private partnerships and greater mobilisation of private capital to complement government investment,” he noted.

He described healthcare as an economic investment rather than merely a social service, arguing that a healthy population is fundamental to productivity and national development.

“The President’s vision is clear. It is to build a Ghana where quality healthcare is available to every citizen, regardless of income, geography or social status. A Ghana where no family is pushed into poverty because a loved one falls ill. A Ghana where prevention becomes the first line of defence,” he said.

Dr. Acheampong reaffirmed government’s commitment to deepening its partnership with CHAG, describing the association as one of the country’s most trusted healthcare providers.

“A partnership in which government provides the enabling policy environment and financing framework, and CHAG continues to deliver compassionate, efficient and trusted healthcare,” he said.

The Christian Health Association of Ghana operates 375 health facilities across the country’s 16 regions and provides between 30 and 40 per cent of healthcare services nationwide, despite owning only about seven per cent of Ghana’s health infrastructure.

Through its network of hospitals, clinics, health centres and training institutions, CHAG serves between eight and ten million patients annually and remains one of government’s principal partners in delivering healthcare to rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 CHAG Annual Conference in Koforidua, Executive Director of CHAG, Dr. Peter Kwame Yeboah, said the association’s contribution extends beyond healthcare delivery within Ghana, with several of its hospitals providing critical services to patients from neighbouring countries.

“Our contribution extends well beyond numbers. CHAG provides strategic value and vital leverage for Ghana’s health security,” Dr. Yeboah said.

He explained that several CHAG facilities located in border communities serve as referral centres for patients from neighbouring countries, helping strengthen regional health security.

Among them are the Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku in the Upper East Region, which serves patients from Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso; St. Theresa’s Catholic Hospital in Nandom in the Upper West Region, which provides healthcare to people from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso; Presbyterian Hospital in Dormaa in the Bono Region, which serves communities in both Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire; and St. Martin de Porres Catholic Hospital at Eikwe in the Western Region, which also provides healthcare to patients from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

According to Dr. Yeboah, these facilities have become an integral part of healthcare delivery beyond Ghana’s borders.

“We provide critical health services in border communities such as Bawku, Nandom, Dormaa and Eikwe, thereby strengthening regional health security across neighbouring countries,” he said.

The CHAG Executive Director noted that the association’s role becomes even more critical during periods of instability.

“In conflict-prone environments, our facilities remain symbols of continuity, stability and hope,” he said.

Dr. Yeboah said CHAG has deliberately maintained its presence in communities where access to healthcare remains limited, describing the association’s commitment to rural and underserved areas as one of its defining strengths.

“For decades, we have deliberately chosen to establish our services in remote, underserved and often forgotten communities where, in many instances, CHAG facilities remain the only available source of healthcare and referral services,” he stated.

He added that CHAG’s deep roots within local communities have enabled it to earn the confidence of the people it serves.

“Most importantly, we are deeply rooted within the communities we serve. Through decades of faithful presence, we have earned what may be our greatest institutional asset – the trust of the people,” Dr. Yeboah said.

Beyond its strategic role in border healthcare, Dr. Yeboah highlighted CHAG’s broader contribution to Ghana’s health system.

Although the association owns just about 7 per cent of the country’s health infrastructure, it delivers between 30 and 40 per cent of healthcare services nationwide through a network of 375 health facilities across all 16 regions.

He said between eight and ten million people receive care annually through CHAG facilities, which provide preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, palliative and specialist healthcare services.

Dr. Yeboah also underscored CHAG’s contribution to developing Ghana’s health workforce through its 22 accredited health training institutions.

“Every year, we produce about 3,400 professionally qualified and ethically grounded health professionals, including nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, orthotics and prosthetics technicians, and other middle-level health workers who continue to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system,” he said.

He reaffirmed CHAG’s commitment to supporting government’s Free Primary Health Care initiative, describing it as a historic opportunity to expand access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

“The promise of Free Primary Health Care is unquestionable. Its aspirations are noble. Its vision is compelling. However, every great policy ultimately succeeds or fails at the point of implementation,” he said.

Dr. Yeboah called for stronger collaboration among government, development partners and healthcare providers to ensure the successful implementation of the policy and improve healthcare outcomes for all Ghanaians.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 CHAG Annual Conference in Koforidua, Executive Director of CHAG, Dr. Peter Kwame Yeboah, said the association’s contribution to national healthcare extends far beyond the number of facilities it operates.

“Although CHAG owns barely seven per cent of Ghana’s health infrastructure, our network contributes between 30 and 40 per cent of the nation’s healthcare services,” he said.

According to Dr. Yeboah, CHAG’s network of 375 health facilities across all 16 regions provides healthcare to between eight and ten million people every year.

“Every year, between eight and ten million Ghanaians receive compassionate, holistic and quality healthcare through our network of 375 health facilities located across all 16 regions of Ghana. These facilities continue to provide comprehensive services ranging from preventive, curative, promotive, palliative and rehabilitative healthcare to specialist and referral services, always guided by our commitment to excellence, compassion and dignity,” he stated.

Beyond service delivery, Dr. Yeboah said CHAG has become an indispensable partner in Ghana’s health sector because of its longstanding commitment to rural and underserved communities.

“Our contribution extends well beyond numbers. CHAG provides strategic value and vital leverage for Ghana’s health security,” he said.

He noted that several CHAG facilities located in border communities provide healthcare not only to Ghanaians but also to patients from neighbouring countries, helping strengthen regional health security.

Among them are the Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku, which serves patients from Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso; St. Theresa’s Catholic Hospital in Nandom, which serves communities in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso; Presbyterian Hospital in Dormaa, which provides healthcare to patients from both Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire; and St. Martin de Porres Catholic Hospital at Eikwe, which serves communities in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

“We provide critical health services in border communities such as Bawku, Nandom, Dormaa and Eikwe, thereby strengthening regional health security across neighbouring countries,” Dr. Yeboah said.

He added that CHAG has deliberately established many of its facilities in remote and deprived communities where access to healthcare remains limited.

“For decades, we have deliberately chosen to establish our services in remote, underserved and often forgotten communities where, in many instances, CHAG facilities remain the only available source of healthcare and referral services,” he said.

According to Dr. Yeboah, CHAG’s deep roots in these communities have enabled the association to build lasting public confidence.

“Most importantly, we are deeply rooted within the communities we serve. Through decades of faithful presence, we have earned what may be our greatest institutional asset – the trust of the people,” he stated.

Beyond healthcare delivery, Dr. Yeboah highlighted CHAG’s contribution to developing Ghana’s health workforce.

Through its 22 accredited health training institutions, the association produces about 3,400 professionally qualified and ethically grounded health professionals each year, including nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, orthotics and prosthetics technicians, and other middle-level health workers.

He described CHAG as the only implementing partner of the Ministry of Health that simultaneously delivers healthcare services while training the country’s future health workforce.

“First, we are a major healthcare service provider. Second, we are a key producer of the country’s health workforce,” he said.

Dr. Yeboah reaffirmed CHAG’s commitment to supporting government’s Free Primary Health Care initiative but stressed that successful implementation would require strong partnerships and sustained investment.

“The promise of Free Primary Health Care is unquestionable. Its aspirations are noble. Its vision is compelling. However, every great policy ultimately succeeds or fails at the point of implementation,” he said.

The 2026 CHAG Annual Conference is being held under the theme, “Positioning CHAG to Deliver People-Centred Free Primary Health Care at the Community Level,” bringing together health professionals, policymakers, development partners and faith-based health institutions to discuss the future of primary healthcare delivery in Ghana.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 CHAG Annual Conference in Koforidua, WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr. Fiona Braka, said the collaboration between government and CHAG has become a model for delivering healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

“The partnership between the Government of Ghana and CHAG is often cited as one of Africa’s strongest examples of public-faith sector collaboration,” Dr. Braka said.

According to her, the partnership has played a significant role in expanding access to healthcare services, strengthening Ghana’s health workforce and improving health outcomes over several decades.

“It has contributed significantly to expanding access to healthcare, strengthening the health workforce and improving health outcomes across the country,” she stated.

Dr. Braka said CHAG’s contribution to Ghana’s health sector has been particularly evident in communities where access to healthcare remains limited.

“For many decades, CHAG has been a pillar of Ghana’s health system. Through its network of hospitals, clinics, health training institutions and community-based services, CHAG has brought healthcare closer to millions of Ghanaians, particularly those living in rural, remote and underserved communities,” she said.

The public health expert noted that CHAG’s extensive presence across the country places the association at the centre of government’s efforts to implement the flagship Free Primary Healthcare programme and achieve Universal Health Coverage.

“As Ghana embarks on the implementation of Free Primary Healthcare, CHAG’s extensive presence, experience and trusted relationships with communities position it as a critical partner in ensuring that this reform translates into meaningful improvements in people’s lives,” Dr. Braka said.

The WHO Representative stressed that countries which have made the greatest progress towards Universal Health Coverage have done so by investing in strong primary healthcare systems capable of reaching people at the community level.

“Primary healthcare improves health outcomes, promotes equity, reduces avoidable hospital admissions, strengthens health system resilience and provides the most efficient pathway towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal Three on health and well-being,” she said.

However, she emphasised that no single institution can deliver effective primary healthcare on its own.

“Strong primary healthcare cannot be delivered by government alone. It requires partnerships. It requires collaboration among public institutions, faith-based organisations, private healthcare providers, civil society, communities, academia and development partners,” she noted.

Dr. Braka said the World Health Organisation has worked closely with both the Government of Ghana and CHAG over the years to strengthen primary healthcare, improve disease prevention and control, develop the health workforce and enhance the quality of healthcare services.

“We deeply value this longstanding partnership with CHAG and appreciate your unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people of Ghana,” she said.

She reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting CHAG as Ghana rolls out the Free Primary Healthcare programme.

“Today, I want to reaffirm WHO’s solidarity with CHAG. We stand in solidarity with your mission. We stand in solidarity with your efforts to strengthen community-based healthcare delivery and ensure that quality healthcare reaches the most vulnerable. And we stand in solidarity with the thousands of health workers serving in CHAG facilities across the country,” Dr. Braka stated.

She expressed confidence that the continued collaboration between government, CHAG, development partners and communities would strengthen Ghana’s health system and improve healthcare delivery nationwide.

“Working together, we can build a health system that is equitable, resilient, people-centred and capable of delivering better health outcomes for all,” she said.

The Christian Health Association of Ghana is one of the Ministry of Health’s largest implementing partners, operating 375 health facilities and 22 accredited health training institutions across the country.

The association provides between 30 and 40 per cent of healthcare services nationwide and serves between eight and ten million patients annually, with many of its facilities located in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 CHAG Annual Conference in Koforidua, WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr. Fiona Braka, said the ambitious health reform presents Ghana with a unique opportunity to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage, but stressed that its success will depend on institutions already embedded within communities.

“As Ghana embarks on the implementation of Free Primary Healthcare, CHAG’s extensive presence, experience and trusted relationships with communities position it as a critical partner in ensuring that this reform translates into meaningful improvements in people’s lives,” she said.

According to Dr. Braka, CHAG’s long history of providing healthcare in rural, remote and underserved communities makes the association uniquely positioned to support government’s efforts to expand access to quality healthcare.

“For many decades, CHAG has been a pillar of Ghana’s health system. Through its network of hospitals, clinics, health training institutions and community-based services, CHAG has brought healthcare closer to millions of Ghanaians, particularly those living in rural, remote and underserved communities,” she stated.

She explained that while the Free Primary Healthcare programme is designed to remove financial and geographical barriers to healthcare, meaningful impact will only be achieved if services are delivered where people live.

“The Government of Ghana’s commitment to implementing Free Primary Healthcare presents us with a unique opportunity to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage and to ensure that quality, essential health services are accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay,” she said.

Dr. Braka noted that despite improvements in Ghana’s health system, many families continue to face significant barriers in accessing basic healthcare.

“Recent evidence reminds us that access to health services remains uneven across Ghana. In many districts, families still travel long distances to access basic primary healthcare services and treatment for non-communicable diseases,” she said.

She stressed that strengthening primary healthcare remains the most effective pathway towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

“Globally, the evidence is clear. Countries that have made significant progress towards Universal Health Coverage have done so by building strong primary healthcare systems,” she said.

According to the WHO Representative, robust primary healthcare systems not only improve health outcomes but also strengthen the resilience and efficiency of national health systems.

“Primary healthcare improves health outcomes, promotes equity, reduces avoidable hospital admissions, strengthens health system resilience and provides the most efficient pathway towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal Three on health and well-being,” she noted.

Dr. Braka emphasised that effective primary healthcare requires collaboration across government, faith-based organisations, private healthcare providers, civil society and development partners.

“Strong primary healthcare cannot be delivered by government alone. It requires partnerships. It requires collaboration among public institutions, faith-based organisations, private healthcare providers, civil society, communities, academia and development partners,” she said.

She described the longstanding partnership between the Government of Ghana and CHAG as one of the country’s greatest strengths in delivering healthcare to underserved populations.

The WHO Representative also reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting CHAG as Ghana implements the Free Primary Healthcare programme.

“We deeply value this longstanding partnership with CHAG and appreciate your unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people of Ghana,” she said.

“Today, I want to reaffirm WHO’s solidarity with CHAG. We stand in solidarity with your mission. We stand in solidarity with your efforts to strengthen community-based healthcare delivery and ensure that quality healthcare reaches the most vulnerable. And we stand in solidarity with the thousands of health workers serving in CHAG facilities across the country.”

Dr. Braka expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between government, CHAG and development partners would ensure the Free Primary Healthcare programme delivers lasting improvements in healthcare access and outcomes.

“Working together, we can build a health system that is equitable, resilient, people-centred and capable of delivering better health outcomes for all,” she said.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) Annual Conference in Koforidua, WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr. Fiona Braka, said people-centred healthcare goes beyond expanding services and requires health systems to respond to the everyday realities of the communities they serve.

“People-centred care means much more than simply providing services. It means listening to communities, respecting their dignity, responding to their needs and ensuring that health services are organised around the realities of people’s lives,” she said.

According to Dr. Braka, the government’s Free Primary Healthcare programme presents Ghana with an opportunity to redesign healthcare around people’s needs while accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

“The Government of Ghana’s commitment to implementing Free Primary Healthcare presents us with a unique opportunity to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage and to ensure that quality, essential health services are accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay,” she stated.

The public health expert said achieving that ambition requires more than policy commitments, insisting that healthcare must reach people who continue to face barriers to accessing basic services.

“It means reaching those who are most often left behind and ensuring that every individual, every family and every community can access quality healthcare when and where they need it,” she said.

Dr. Braka observed that despite progress in expanding healthcare, significant disparities remain across Ghana, with many families in rural communities still travelling long distances to access primary healthcare and treatment for non-communicable diseases.

“Recent evidence reminds us that access to health services remains uneven across Ghana. In many districts, families still travel long distances to access basic primary healthcare services and treatment for non-communicable diseases,” she noted.

The WHO Representative said countries that have successfully advanced towards Universal Health Coverage have done so by investing in strong primary healthcare systems rather than relying predominantly on hospital-based care.

“Globally, the evidence is clear. Countries that have made significant progress towards Universal Health Coverage have done so by building strong primary healthcare systems,” she said.

She explained that strong primary healthcare delivers multiple benefits beyond improving access to care.

“Primary healthcare improves health outcomes, promotes equity, reduces avoidable hospital admissions, strengthens health system resilience and provides the most efficient pathway towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal Three on health and well-being,” Dr. Braka stated.

She described the Christian Health Association of Ghana as one of the country’s most important partners in making people-centred healthcare a reality because of its longstanding presence in communities that are often underserved.

“When we speak about community-centred and people-centred healthcare in Ghana, it is impossible not to recognise the remarkable contribution of CHAG,” she said.

“For many decades, CHAG has been a pillar of Ghana’s health system. Through its network of hospitals, clinics, health training institutions and community-based services, CHAG has brought healthcare closer to millions of Ghanaians, particularly those living in rural, remote and underserved communities,” she added.

Dr. Braka said CHAG’s extensive network and trusted relationships with communities make the association indispensable to the successful implementation of the Free Primary Healthcare programme.

“As Ghana embarks on the implementation of Free Primary Healthcare, CHAG’s extensive presence, experience and trusted relationships with communities position it as a critical partner in ensuring that this reform translates into meaningful improvements in people’s lives,” she said.

She, however, stressed that delivering effective primary healthcare cannot be the responsibility of government alone.

“Strong primary healthcare cannot be delivered by government alone. It requires partnerships. It requires collaboration among public institutions, faith-based organisations, private healthcare providers, civil society, communities, academia and development partners,” she said.

Dr. Braka reaffirmed the World Health Organization’s commitment to supporting both the Government of Ghana and CHAG as they work to strengthen primary healthcare and improve health outcomes across the country.

“Working together, we can build a health system that is equitable, resilient, people-centred and capable of delivering better health outcomes for all,” she said.

Spokesperson for the Ministry, Tony Goodman, in an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, June 29, 2026, said health authorities had already begun public education campaigns before the rains, stressing that flooding conditions often create a high-risk environment for cholera transmission if proper hygiene measures are not observed.

“You know, even before the rain started, we had begun giving this information out, letting the people know that when we are flat, what follows is cholera,” he said.

He warned that some residents continue to dump waste into water bodies during floods, describing the practice as dangerous and a major driver of disease outbreaks.

“We need to stop throwing garbage into our water bodies. But whenever there is a flood, that is when people think they can empty their dustbins and the rest,” he added.

Mr Goodman said the Ghana Health Service has also begun issuing alerts to districts to monitor early symptoms of cholera as part of emergency preparedness efforts.

He noted that cholera surveillance and response planning are now routine components of seasonal health planning, particularly during the rainy season.

“We prepare for it. If it’s a wet season, rainy season, we prepare for cholera. We are endemic,” he stated.

The Ministry of Health says it continues to intensify public health messaging as flooding persists in several parts of the country.

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Currently, about 70 per cent of medicines used in hospitals and community pharmacies in Ghana are imported, with only 30 per cent produced locally.

The President of the Society, Dr. (Pharm.) Paul Owusu Donkor, is calling on government and stakeholders to strategically invest in the local pharmaceutical industry to boost domestic production.

He warned that continued dependence on global supply chains exposes the country to external shocks and vulnerabilities.

“If we continue to rely on global supply chain systems for our medicines, then we are compromising our national security issues,” he cautioned.

He made the remarks during a commemorative engagement at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi as part of activities marking the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana’s 90th anniversary.

Dr. Donkor noted that achieving a target of 70 per cent local production would require deliberate investment in manufacturing infrastructure, capital, land access, technology, and human resource development.

He added that strengthening local production could position Ghana as a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in West Africa.

“Health is wealth, we have said many times. Now, pharmaceutical care needs are also a national security issue. We want to see a Ghana that does 70% of its pharmaceutical care needs,” he said.

The Society also raised concern over the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), partly attributing the public health challenge to the misuse of medicines and the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs.

Each year, an estimated 4,900 to 6,200 people in Ghana die from antimicrobial resistance-related infections.

Dr. Donkor explained that underserved rural and peri-urban communities remain particularly vulnerable due to gaps in healthcare access, which are often exploited by illegal medicine vendors.

“Sometimes the underserved peri-urban and rural areas become a void that is filled by medicine peddlers, counterfeit, fake, spurious and substandard medicines,” he said.

He called for stricter surveillance by regulators, including the Pharmacy Council and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), to intensify enforcement against the manufacture, importation, and sale of substandard medicines.

“The regulator must continue to crack the whip on persons that bring these falsified medicines into our supply chain system. That is how we can uproot the menace of antimicrobial resistance,” he said.

He emphasized that pharmacists remain critical to antimicrobial stewardship, but stressed that the fight against AMR requires coordinated action by regulators, health institutions, and government.

“If a medicine is not in the hands of a pharmacist but falls into the hands of quacks, then we will lose the fight against antimicrobial resistance,” he cautioned.

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The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, announced the intervention during a working visit to the facility on Friday, June 26, 2026, where he inspected ongoing operations and outlined immediate and long-term measures to strengthen waste management following the flooding.

Touring the facility, Hon. Ibrahim who is also the Member of Parliament for Banda said officials from his ministry, together with technical officers, had spent the past two weeks responding to what he described as a serious sanitation emergency.

He expressed appreciation to the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong; the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces; the National Security Coordinator and Deputy Chief of Staff at the office of the President, Mr. Stan Dogbe; and other stakeholders for supporting the government’s response to the crisis.

According to Mr. Ibrahim, the recent floods left several landfill sites inundated, preventing nearly 3,000 tricycle waste operators, popularly known as Aboboyas, from disposing of refuse collected from households and businesses.

He noted that without the reopening of the Achimota Transfer Station by Zoomlion, the situation could have escalated into a major environmental and public health crisis.

The transfer station now serves as a temporary relief point where tricycle operators can discharge waste for onward transportation by larger haulage trucks to designated treatment and disposal facilities.

He described the intervention as critical to restoring efficient waste collection services across the capital while reducing indiscriminate dumping.

Touching on the economics of waste management, Hon.Ibrahim observed that many transfer stations have struggled to operate sustainably because of inadequate financial support.

“User fees at some facilities had become unaffordable for informal waste collectors, forcing many to resort to unauthorised dumping sites charging lower fees,” he said.

He stressed that the practice contributed significantly to environmental pollution, particularly after floodwaters carried waste into surrounding communities, including parts of Dansoman.

“Effective sanitation extends beyond sweeping streets and collecting refuse. Modern waste management, he said, encompasses collection, transportation, sorting, treatment, recycling and reuse.

To strengthen the sector, the government intends to engage informal waste collectors, transfer station operators and waste management companies in developing a sustainable operational framework that makes better use of existing infrastructure.

The Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong described the reopening of the AchimotaTransfer Station as a timely intervention. He explained that transfer stations are critical to modern waste management because they allow small tricycles to discharge waste at nearby facilities before larger trucks transport it to treatment and final disposal sites.

He disclosed that the Achimota Transfer Station was established in 2015 following a tour of Turkey led by President John Dramani Mahama to examine modern waste management systems.

Although the facility was successfully completed, operations could not be sustained because the expected government subsidy did not materialise, making the cost of operations unsustainable.

Dr. Siaw Agyepong called for sustained government support for transfer station operations, arguing that sanitation should be treated as a public good rather than a commercial venture.

Citing countries such as China and Turkey, he noted that governments heavily subsidise waste transfer infrastructure because effective sanitation protects public health, prevents disease outbreaks and safeguards the environment.

He further described waste management as a scientific and technical discipline requiring specialised expertise beyond the simple collection and disposal of refuse.

He also highlighted Ghana’s growing leadership in waste management, noting that Zoomlion has evolved from operating manual tricycles over two decades ago to managing about 45 treatment facilities nationwide, including solid, liquid, medical and hazardous waste plants.

The company’s expertise has attracted interest from several African countries, with trained Ghanaian professionals currently supporting sanitation operations in Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and other countries.

Both government and the Jospong Group expressed optimism that strengthened collaboration, sustained investment and appropriate policy support would improve waste management systems and enhance environmental sanitation across the country.

World Drug Day is observed annually to raise awareness of the dangers of drug abuse, illicit trafficking, and their effects on individuals, families, communities, and national development. The day also provides a platform for governments, institutions, development partners, and communities to reflect on practical interventions to reduce the harm caused by drug abuse, particularly among young people.

Across the world, substance use continues to destroy lives, weaken families, disrupt education, and threaten the future of many young people. Current global estimates indicate that about 400 million people live with substance use disorders, while approximately 2.6 million deaths each year are linked to psychoactive substances. In Sub-Saharan Africa, substance use among adolescents and young adults remains a growing public health concern that requires urgent and evidence-based responses.

It was against this background that the Research and Consultancy Centre of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission, presented findings from a baseline study on youth substance use in the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality.

The presentation formed part of activities marking this year’s World Drug Day celebration. The event brought together key stakeholders and dignitaries, including the Director-General of NACOC, Brigadier General M. O. Mantey; the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak; the Minister of Education; the Chief of Staff, Hon. Julius Debrah (Special Guest of Honour); a representative of the UN Resident Coordinator; officials of NACOC; representatives of UPSA; development partners; community leaders; and other invited guests.

The research presentation was led by Dr. Adam Salifu from UPSA-RCC, supported by Dr. Timothy Avordeh, Dr. Samuel Arthur, and Dr. Andaratu A. Achuliwor. Professor Alexander Preko, Director of the Research and Consultancy Centre, UPSA, was also present.

The baseline study focused on young people aged 15 to 35 years in five suburbs of the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality: Madina, Teiman, West Adenta, Pantang, and Oyarifa. In all, 1,039 valid responses were analysed, providing an important evidence base for understanding the nature, scale, and drivers of youth substance use in the municipality.

The study revealed that 45.1 per cent of respondents had used a substance for non-medical or recreational purposes at some point in their lives. Madina emerged as the major hotspot, recording a lifetime prevalence rate of 73.5 per cent, compared with 30.5 per cent in Pantang, which recorded the lowest rate among the five suburbs.

Alcohol was identified as the most commonly used substance, with 40.8 per cent of respondents reporting use. Other substances included prescription medicines, cannabis, tobacco, shisha, tramadol, codeine-based products, inhalants, and energy drinks mixed with other substances.

The findings showed that substance use among young people was not evenly distributed across the municipality. Madina stood out as the highest-risk area, with the highest prevalence rate, highest perceived access to substances, and low peer-refusal capacity among young people. The report therefore recommended targeted interventions in high-risk communities rather than broad, uniform approaches.

The study also found that awareness of substance abuse was high, but awareness alone had not prevented use. About 94.9 per cent of respondents had heard about substance abuse, while 77 per cent had received some form of sensitisation. However, only 6.6 per cent of sensitised respondents had been reached through NACOC campaigns.

Schools were identified as the strongest channel for sensitisation, followed by radio, television, and social media. However, many out-of-school youth, unemployed young people, and apprentices may not be adequately reached through school-based prevention programmes, despite being among the most vulnerable groups.

Peer influence was identified as one of the strongest drivers of substance use. According to the study, 42.9 per cent of users were introduced to substances by friends. Qualitative responses also showed that young people use substances due to peer pressure, stress, unemployment, curiosity, weak family support, easy availability, and social media influence.

The report further revealed that the mean age of first substance use was 18.7 years, suggesting that prevention education must begin early and target both in-school and out-of-school youth.

Another major concern was relapse among young people who had attempted to stop using substances. The study showed that 84.5 per cent of those who tried to quit returned to use. The main relapse triggers were cravings, stress, peer pressure, family problems, and lack of structured support.

Although Pantang Hospital, a major mental health facility, is located within the municipality, the study found that very few young people accessed formal health facility or rehabilitation support, indicating gaps in referral systems, counselling, treatment, and community-based recovery support.

The report recommended that Madina be designated a priority intervention zone due to its high prevalence rate, easy access to substances, and low peer-refusal capacity. It further called for expanded sensitisation through radio, television, social media, and community platforms, especially in areas with low NACOC campaign coverage.

It also recommended moving beyond general awareness creation to include practical peer-refusal skills, life skills training, and youth-focused behavioural change education. Structured referral pathways linking young people to Pantang Hospital, counselling services, and rehabilitation programmes were also encouraged.

Other recommendations included targeted outreach to out-of-school youth, apprentices, and unemployed young people through markets, vocational centres, faith-based organisations, and community groups. The report also called for peer educator networks, pharmacy partnerships to address prescription medicine misuse, community-based cessation support groups, and family-based prevention programmes.

The study further recommended stronger engagement with religious and traditional leaders, improved supply-side controls in collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority, and regular municipal surveys every two to three years to track progress and measure impact.

The research aligns strongly with the Sustainable Development Goals. It supports SDG 3 on good health and well-being, SDG 4 on quality education, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and SDG 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

The collaboration between UPSA-RCC and NACOC demonstrates the importance of university-led research in addressing pressing national development challenges. It also highlights how academic institutions, public agencies, health institutions, schools, communities, and development partners can work together to protect young people from substance abuse.

The study concluded that youth substance use in La Nkwantanang-Madina should not be treated only as an awareness issue, but as a public health, education, employment, family, and community safety challenge requiring targeted, sustained, and evidence-based interventions.

Through this baseline study, UPSA-RCC and NACOC have provided a clear evidence base to guide prevention, strengthen referral systems, support rehabilitation, and protect the future of young people in the municipality and beyond.

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The programme, being implemented by the Ministry of Health, aims to offer temporary overseas employment opportunities to health workers while ensuring they eventually return to strengthen Ghana’s health system.

Under the arrangement, the professionals will work on two to three-year contracts in Saint Kitts and Nevis before returning home.

Speaking at the Accra International Airport ahead of their departure, some of the health workers expressed excitement about the opportunity, saying they were eager to deliver quality care and represent Ghana well abroad.

They also thanked the government for creating the platform, describing it as a valuable career development opportunity.

Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, and Deputy Minister of Health, Grace Ayensu-Danquah, were at the airport to bid them farewell.

The Deputy Minister assured that the professionals will return after their service, adding that they will enjoy attractive remuneration packages, good working conditions, and other incentives.

She described the initiative as a “win-win” situation for both countries.

“This is not just about sending people out; it’s about creating opportunities for our health workers to gain international exposure, upgrade their skills, and eventually bring that knowledge back home,” she said.

The move is part of a broader managed migration strategy to help address unemployment among health professionals while preventing a massive brain drain from Ghana’s health sector.

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Speaking at a meeting between the leadership of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and Regional Ministers at the Jubilee House, she said the success of the initiative would depend heavily on strong public awareness and collaboration at the regional and community levels.

She urged the Ministers to mobilise traditional authorities, local government institutions, healthcare providers and community leaders to support the implementation of the Trust Fund.

According to her, “The President has demonstrated remarkable foresight with this initiative as it has the potential to transform the lives of countless Ghanaians who are struggling to afford treatment for chronic illnesses.”

She further reminded the Regional Ministers that they have a responsibility to ensure that every Ghanaian understands what the Trust Fund stands for and how it can change lives.

Nana Oye Bampoe Addo said the Trust Fund reflects government’s commitment to ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent citizens from accessing specialised healthcare.

She expressed optimism that the planned regional stakeholder engagements would strengthen public confidence in the initiative and encourage greater national participation.