News
Banahene Specialist Hospital to provide affordable healthcare
Banahene Specialist Hospital has officially been opened with state-of-the-art equipment to provide affordable healthcare for Ghanaians.
The ceremony which took place at the premises of the hospital at Sakumono, on Saturday, July 9, 2022, brought together medical practitioners, traditional leaders, the clergy and many others.
The Hospital which is specialised in assorted medical conditions has various facilities which would create jobs for varied professionals.
The Paramount Chief of SefwiAnhwiasoPresident of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi, congratulated the Banahene brothers for their selfless contribution to healthcare delivery in Ghana and beyond.
He said the gesture was a demonstration of how Ghanaians abroad could contribute to the economic development of the country, considering the consistent call by government for those in the diaspora to come and invest back home.
That, he said, would have multiple effect on the growth of the country, and therefore urged all stakeholders to play their roles effectively to ensure the hospital succeeds.
He urged staff of the hospital to eschew all negative attitude which will result in inefficiency and low productivity to encourage others to invest.
He also implored management to lead by good example and motivate workers to give off their best.
The Member of Parliament for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah, said the gesture will ease the pressure on few medical facilities within the Tema enclave and applauded the Banahene brothers for this vision.
He urged the staff to ensure proper maintenance culture and to keep the facilities in good condition.
The Banahene Brothers, founders of the hospital called on Ghanaian medical practitioners living abroad to render their services to Ghanaians at the facility anytime they come home for vacation.
Recounting their challenges, the Banahene Brothers, Ebenezer and Emmanuel Banahene, said they had when growing up, however, their mother strived to cater for them to this height.
According to them, Ghanaians spend about $230 million yearly on Medical Tourism, seeking healthcare abroad, but they believe such money could be invested here in Ghana with the required medical equipment.
The Banahene brothers also announced a free prostrate cancer screening for the month of July, and urged men to take advantage to check their status.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to remain united, grateful and prayerful despite the recent floods that claimed lives and destroyed property in parts of Accra.
Speaking at the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving held at the forecourt of the State House in Accra, the President noted that the nation had gathered not because all its challenges had been solved, but to reflect, give thanks to God and renew its commitment to the country’s development.
He explained that throughout Ghana’s history, the nation had consistently turned to God during both difficult and successful times, describing faith as one of the country’s strongest pillars.
“We gather not as members of different political parties, ethnic groups or religions, but as one people under God,” President Mahama stated.
He encouraged Ghanaians to approach the occasion with grateful hearts, stressing that every blessing the country enjoys comes from God.
Reflecting on the recent floods that devastated parts of Accra, President Mahama acknowledged the pain of families who lost loved ones and property during the disaster.
Despite the tragedy, he urged citizens to draw strength from Scripture, quoting First Epistle to the Thessalonians Chapter 5, Verse 18, which encourages believers to give thanks in all circumstances.
The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving brought together religious leaders, members of Parliament, the Judiciary, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security service chiefs, traditional leaders and other dignitaries to pray for the nation and reflect on its progress and challenges.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Renowned Ghanaian businessman and an indigene of the Upper East Region, Awentami Paul Afoko, has called for the construction of an international airport in the Upper East Region, arguing that it is critical to unlocking the region’s agricultural and export potential.
Addressing stakeholders at the Regional Development Framework validation forum in Bolgatanga, Mr. Afoko said the Upper East Region possesses enormous economic opportunities that can be harnessed through strategic investment in agriculture, infrastructure,, and trade.
“As an entrepreneur, I have learnt that governments do not create businesses; entrepreneurs do. Government’s responsibility is to create the environment within which businesses can thrive,” he said.
He highlighted irrigation projects and commercial farming as key drivers of economic transformation, urging greater investment in year-round production of vegetables, fruits, and flowers for international markets.
“The challenge is not finding buyers. The challenge is producing at sufficient scale throughout the year,” he stated.
Mr. Afoko also called for investment in warehouses, cold-chain facilities, packaging centres and standardized production systems to improve the competitiveness of local products, including shea butter, basket weaving, and textiles.
“We must organise ourselves to produce standardised products and invest in warehouses, cold chains, and packaging so that we become year-round suppliers,” he said.
He stressed that an international airport would significantly boost exports from the region.
“We need an airport urgently so that flowers from the Upper East can reach Europe before Kenyan flowers do. Burkina Faso produces strawberries, and we can do the same,” he remarked.
According to Mr. Afoko, the region’s strategic location also presents opportunities to expand cross-border trade with neighbouring countries through stronger economic diplomacy.
“There is the need for an international airport in the region to enable us to seize export opportunities. Our strategic location also presents enormous opportunities to strengthen border trade,” he added.
He called on the government, diplomats, and development partners to work together to position the Upper East Region as a major agricultural and export hub in West Africa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
