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 Ranking Member on Parliament’s Finance Committee and the member of parliament for Bolgatanga Central constituency, Isaac Adongo, has defended the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, describing him as the right person to manage the country’s central bank.
According to Mr. Adongo, Ghana would have faced a difficult situation if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had not won the 2024 elections and Dr. Asiama had not been appointed governor.
Speaking in an interview with Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, Online Editor for ghanaiantimes.com.gh, Mr.Adongo said the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), including Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, only wanted to remain relevant within their party.
“Well, the NPP and Kojo Oppong Nkrumah have a job to do. They want to remain relevant in their party. I don’t begrudge them,” he said.
Mr. Adongo praised President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Dr. Asiama as Governor of the Central Bank after returning to power.
He explained that the President carefully assessed the country’s economic challenges while in opposition and chose Dr. Asiama as the best person for the role.
According to him, the governor has so far shown strong leadership at the central bank.
“I’m not saying this because I work closely with him, but sitting on the board with him, his leadership is on par,” he stated.
The lawmaker further noted that the governor understands the concerns of Ghanaians, especially regarding the rising cost of living and economic pressures.
He said government had already done the “heavy lifting” in stabilizing the economy and would now reassess some of its policies to reduce pressure on public finances.
Mr. Adongo expressed optimism that the country would not witness the same level of government expenditure from 2026 onwards.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board and consider the fiscal implications of some of the actions we have taken. I believe that from 2026, we will not see the same magnitude of expenditures,” he added.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has clarified that it did not approve or endorse the recent Karnival Kingdom Festival held in Accra.
In a statement issued on May 7, 2026, the ministry said it did not receive any proposal, request for approval or official communication concerning the organisation of the event.
According to the ministry, it was also unaware of the processes through which the festival was allegedly approved to take place in Ghana.
“The Ministry wishes to state unequivocally that it neither endorsed, sanctioned nor authorised the staging of the event,” the statement said.
The clarification follows public criticism and discussions on social media over activities associated with the festival, including the circulation of what many described as culturally unacceptable content.
The ministry acknowledged concerns raised by sections of the public and various stakeholders regarding the conduct and nature of the event.
It explained that as the supervisory institution for the tourism, culture and creative arts sector, it expects all organisers of public festivals and entertainment events to follow established regulatory procedures and engage the relevant state institutions before holding such activities.
The ministry therefore urged organisers of tourism, cultural, entertainment and recreational events to obtain the necessary approvals before staging programmes in the country.
According to the statement, the ministry remains committed to promoting tourism and cultural activities that respect Ghana’s laws, values and cultural identity.
It added that the country’s reputation as a safe and culturally respectful destination must be protected at all times.
By: Jacob Aggrey
