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4% of Ghanaian youth hypertensive – Health Expert
Parents and health professionals have been urged to make blood pressure checks for children a routine practice, as more young people in Ghana are developing hypertension, a condition once believed to affect only adults.
Dr Elliot Koranteng, a Consultant Nephrologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Founder of Kidney Health International, revealed in an interview with The Spectator that about four per cent of Ghanaian youth aged 15 to 24 are hypertensive.
He warned that this trend signals a growing public health threat that requires urgent national attention.
“Hypertension is no longer a disease of adults. Many children are now developing high blood pressure, yet we rarely think of checking them,” Dr Koranteng said.
“It has never been part of routine medical checks for children, and that is dangerous because early signs often go unnoticed until serious complications occur,” he added.
He explained that most hospitals, including primary and secondary health facilities, lack blood pressure cuffs designed for children.
“We only have adult cuffs in many hospitals because no one thinks children can have high blood pressure. But some do, either from hereditary factors, kidney or heart problems, or even secondary causes like the use of bleaching creams by parents on their children,” he disclosed.
Dr Koranteng Tannor warned that untreated hypertension in childhood could lead to severe complications such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease at an early age.
He noted that several young patients are already on two or three different medications to manage their blood pressure.
“When you see 18-year-olds on chronic hypertension medication, it tells you how serious the problem is,” he emphasised.
Dr Tannor urged the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to integrate blood pressure screening for children into regular health checks at hospitals and schools.
“When a child complains of headaches, facial swelling, or tiredness, we should not only test for malaria. Their blood pressure should also be checked to rule out hypertension or related conditions like diabetes and kidney disease,” he advised.
He also called on parents to be proactive by requesting blood pressure checks for their children during hospital visits.
“The earlier hypertension is detected, the easier it is to manage. We cannot continue to assume that children are immune,” he cautioned.
Dr Tannor further appealed for public education on childhood hypertension, stressing that awareness and early detection were key to preventing a future crisis.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
-1 cup dried soya beans
-4–5 cups for water (for blending)
-Extra water for soaking
-Sugar, honey or dates (optional, for sweetness)
-Vanilla extract (optional)
Preparation
-Pick through the beans to remove stones or damaged seeds and rinse thoroughly
-Place them in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water. Soak for at least eight hours or overnight to soften it to blend easier
– After soaking, rub the beans with your hands as the skin begins to remove
– Removing the skins helps reduce the ‘beany’ taste and improves texture
– Put the soaked beans into a blender with 4–5 cups of clean water
-Blend until smooth and milky. (You may need to do this in batches depending on your blender size).
– Using a clean muslin cloth or fine sieve, strain the blended mixture into a pot. (Squeeze well to extract as much liquid as possible).
-The leftover pulp is called okara. Don’t throw it away — it can be used in baking, porridge, or even added to stews.
– Place the strained milk on medium heat and make it boil. Stir continuously to prevent burning or overflowing.
– Allow it to boil for at least 20–25 minutes. Proper boiling removes the raw taste and neutralises natural compounds that can upset the stomach.
-Once boiled a little sugar or honey. Pulse.gh
Health benefits of Soya beans
The Stewardship Director of the South East Ghana Union Mission (SEGUM) of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Ps. Richard Kwabena Daves, has urged believers to apply wisdom in taking major decisions concerning their lives to avoid costly mistakes.
According to him, wisdom enables individuals to discern right from wrong and manage resource effectively.
“Many challenges people face is as a result from poor decision-making and a failure for guidance before action,” he explained.
Speaking at the climax of a Stewardship Revival Week at the New Life Seventh-day Adventist (S.D.A) Church last Saturday, Pastor Daves, who was also the former President of the Oti Ghana Mission, Jasikan in the Oti region advised the congregation to embrace hard work and approach God boldly for every need in their lives.
“When you give to God financially, and to the poor and needy, God opens a new door for you. You will be blessed and able to pay your taxes and other obligations to your country,” he added.
Pastor Daves encouraged members to plan their expenses wisely and adopt a business mind-set, start small, seek mentors, and spend wisely.
“Your product shouldn’t be more expensive, look out for moderate prices to attract more customers,” he advised.
He added that God gives instructions during financial crises and can reveal where financial provision is located, adding that “God rewards productivity with more increase,”, he said.
The New Life District Pastor, Asante Amaniampong Danso, commended members for their commitment and urged them to put the message into practice.
Picture: Pastor Richard Kwabena Daves
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
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