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13 final year SHS students in 4 schools test COVID-19 positive
Thirteen final year students in senior high schools in the country have tested positive for the global pandemic, the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) few days after returning to school, the Ministry of Education has confirmed.
The cases were recorded in the Greater Accra and the Central Regions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra yesterday, the Deputy Minister of Education, in charge of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, confirmed that six students at the Accra Girls Senior High School tested positive. In addition, a teacher at the school together with his wife had also tested positive for the COVID-19.
Two other students from Odorgonor SHS equally tested positive for the disease in Accra.
In the Ashanti Region, three students at the Konongo Wesley SHS had tested positive for the COVID-19.
Meanwhile in the Central Region, the Mfantsipim School recorded two confirmed cases of the COVID-19, the Deputy Minister said, bringing the total number of students who have tested positive for the COVID-19 to 13.
According to the Deputy Minister, the students had been isolated and their parents had been informed to ensure it brings down the anxiety.
According to Dr Adutwum, 648 contacts tracing had been done and the people had been isolated, with a number of them tested by the Ghana Health Service.
He said counsellors had been provided at the Accra Girls Senior High School to support them psychologically.
“In the midst of all the anxiety, it is difficult for students to even learn, but counsellors are on sight now, looking at ways that they can help the students to recompose themselves and begin to take a look at the preparation that is ahead of them,” Dr Adutwum said.
“Everything possible is being done to make sure the safety of the children are protected,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a joint statement issued by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), said a team of 200 personnel, drawn from the two institutions, regional and district directorates of education had been spread all over the country and were closely monitoring the situation.
The statement signed by Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, Director General of the GES and Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, Director-General, GHS, assured all health institutions to which senior high schools had been mapped with health facilities to ensure that any suspected cases were promptly dealt with in accordance with the laid-down protocols.
It noted that school heads and selected school staff had been trained, and would continue to receive further training and support on Covid-19 issues and management, adding that all schools had been provided with the necessary logistics needed to fight this pandemic, including Veronica buckets, sanitisers, face masks, tissue paper and the schools have been disinfected as well.
“If any student is affected, the parent will be notified and given the opportunity to visit,” it stated.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Minority Leader in parliament, Alexander Osahen Afenyo Markin has raised concerns about the direction of the country one year after the 2024 general election, warning that Ghana’s democracy may be under threat if current governance trends are not checked.
In a statement reflecting on the year since Ghanaians voted for change, he noted that while the New Patriotic Party hoped for victory, the people chose differently and the outcome was respected as the will of the electorate.
He stressed that winning power comes with responsibility and not the freedom to govern without caution.
The Minority Leader argued that the removal of key public officials reflected a worrying pattern.
These included the dismissal of workers from state institutions, the exit of the Chief Justice, and ongoing processes affecting the Electoral Commission leadership and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
He described the development as retribution rather than renewal and questioned the government’s promises on jobs and the 24 hour economy.
Addressing President John Dramani Mahama directly, he urged him to use his rare second return to office to build a legacy of development rather than removals.
He explained that global history shows that leaders who return to power after defeat are few, stressing that such an opportunity should lead to transformation that benefits citizens.
He encouraged the President to invest in technology, artificial intelligence and modern economic growth models to position Ghana for global competition.
He warned that no country will wait for Ghana while others advance through digital innovation.
The statement further pointed to youth unemployment and frustration, noting that campaign foot soldiers who worked hard during elections have been left disappointed.
He warned that ignoring young people could lead to instability.
He urged the media to uphold its watchdog duty by speaking up against constitutional breaches rather than seeking comfort in silence.
He explained that the Minority wants the government to succeed because national progress benefits everyone, not only one political side.
The Minority Leader maintained that although democracy is not perfect, it remains the best system since it allows peaceful correction through elections.
He encouraged citizens to trust the ballot and not violence.
He encouraged President Mahama to resist party hawks and focus on national development, stating that the world is watching how Ghana uses this moment in history.
He called on leaders across the political divide to remember they are custodians of the Republic and must work to protect the nation’s democratic future.
He concluded by urging young people not to lose hope, stressing that change comes through democratic processes, and reminding all leaders that Ghana’s stability depends on responsible governance, unity and development oriented action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central Kwame Asare Obeng, widely known as A Plus, is calling on young people to take hypertension seriously by checking their blood pressure regularly and taking prescribed medication to prevent sudden deaths and stroke.
In a message shared to the public, the MP noted that cases of young people dying from high blood pressure are rising, even though the condition is preventable.
He mentioned that many refuse to go for checkups, and those who later discover they have hypertension still stop or avoid taking their medication.
He expressed worry that some men refuse treatment because they believe blood pressure drugs affect their sexual performance, a belief he described as misleading.
A Plus stressed that staying alive and healthy should be the priority, adding that complications from uncontrolled hypertension could lead to stroke and long term disability.
He encouraged the youth, especially men, to get their blood pressure tested and take treatment seriously to protect their health and future.
A Plus urged the public to spread the message so more people will take action on their health.
By: Jacob Aggrey
