News
21-year-old journalist’s life at risk …help save her
Doctors at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ridge have cautioned that 21 year old Miss Agnes Owusu, a budding young journalist on internship with The Ghanaian Times, risk worsening her condition unless urgent steps are taken to get her surgery done within the next four weeks.
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Ms Owusu who is also a level 400 student at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) is in dire need of financial support in excess of GH¢160, 000.00 or $12,000.00 to enable her to undergo brain tumour surgery.
Consequently, she has appealed to the general public to come to her aid either in cash or in kind to enable her to undergo a successful surgery, and contributions could be made to the Times Needy Fund, UBA Kaneshie North Industrial Area Account number 00103068701511.
She has been diagnosed with a brain tumour located between her brainstem and the posterior part of her brain and is fighting not just for her life, but for the chance to keep making a difference.
According Dr Emmanuel Yao Voado, the Consultant Neurosurgeon of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), Agnes’ condition had further been “complicated by hydrocephalus” a diagnosis which has affected her general well-being.
He said prior to her diagnosis, she was experiencing a series of alarming symptoms, including severe headaches, vomiting, and swelling in her cheek.
The Consultant Surgeon warned that without urgent surgery to be conducted at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, these symptoms could return and worsen, possibly leading to seizures, balance issues, paralysis, or even loss of consciousness.
According to Dr Voado, the surgery would require the removal of the tumor which was critical and time-sensitive, however, it would come at a cost.
The surgery is estimated to cost in excess of GH¢160,000 (approximately USD $12,000), unfortunately, the amount was far beyond the means of Agnes and her family.
The Ghanaian Times through this publication is thus soliciting for support towards her surgery to enable her return to duty safely.
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Already she had undergone the ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, which was successfully performed on March 27, 2025.
The shunt placement which cost about GH¢31, 000.00 was funded by her colleagues in the newsroom with some benevolent friends.
Following the surgery, her headaches, vomiting, and neck heaviness resolved and was successfully discharged on April 3, 2025.
However, her doctors have warned that the symptoms of tiredness and short-sightedness had persisted and was anticipated that, as the brain tumour continued to grow, her previous symptoms were likely to return and worsen, potentially accompanied by additional complications such as seizures, balance difficulties, paralysis, and loss of consciousness.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Miss Owusu said she remains determined and hopeful.
She said her dream was not only to recover but to return to journalism, continue her work, and be a voice for others in her community.
“The estimated cost of the tumour removal is far beyond my means, I am therefore reaching out to anyone who can offer support be it individuals or organisations.
I understand that it is a lot to ask, but I am not just fighting for my life, I am fighting for the chance to continue pursuing my passion for journalism and making a difference in my community,” Miss Owusu said in a statement appealing for help.
Any contribution, no matter how small, would bring Agnes one step closer to the life-saving treatment she urgently needs.
Beyond contributing financially to her cause, it is the hope of The Ghanaian Times that her story would be shared to help reach others who might be able to help.
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BY CLIFF EKUFUL
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
