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Communicate with your adolescent children to prevent early exposure to sexual activities- Parents advised

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The Director of School Health Education Programme (SHEP) under the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mrs Theresa Oppong has called on parents to supervise and communicate with their adolescent children to prevent them from being initiated into sexual activities by their peers at an early stage.

According to her, the lack of such supervision and communication coupled with negative parenting contributed to the adolescents being initiated into sexual activities by their peers and added that it could disrupt their education.

She reiterated the need for parents to actively play their role during their children’s adolescent stages to help shape them to secure a better future for them.

Mrs Oppong made the call in a speech read on her behalf by Mr Godfred Ceaser, the Eastern Regional Coordinator of SHEP during this year’s Adolescent Advocacy Week celebration organised by the Family Health Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in collaboration with MARIE STOPES, a non-governmental organisation that advocated Choices among adolescents and the Ghana Education Service (GES) at Krobo Odumasi in the Eastern region.

The celebration was to commemorate the annual Adolescent Health Week by campaigning for an inclusive society that met the needs of Adolescents as they transitioned to adulthood and to educate adolescents

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 on reproductive health issues.

Mrs Oppong indicated that the adolescent stage came with a lot of challenges and decisions that required useful information to enable them to thrive and called on parents to play their role effectively.

She said as part of efforts to improve life skills and behaviour change among adolescents, the GES has integrated Adolescent Reproductive Health issues across subjects in the curriculum of senior high and basic schools to provide knowledge, skills and attitudes required to help them cope with the challenges of their stage and also promote healthy living and responsible adulthood.

“We have also set up school health clubs, and mentorship programmes where queen mothers have a critical role to play especially in life skills and value inculcation and many other interventions and so parents also have a role that they need to play in the socialization of the child,” she said.

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For her part, the Eastern Regional Director of Nursing Services (DDNS), Ellen Darkoa Asare said, the adolescent stage was a very critical stage of self-discovery where the adolescent formed habits that could shape their lifetime, adding, that it was a time when students navigated through academic challenges, formed friendship and made decision that impacted their health and wellbeing.

She said the celebration of the week allowed stakeholders to appreciate the uniqueness of that phase and to reflect on the importance of the well-being of the adolescent and called on all stakeholders including parents to help the adolescent by providing the right guidance and support to create an environment where they felt safe, understood and encouraged to make healthy choices.

She called on the management of basic and senior high schools to encourage open conversation about health, address questions students may have and ensure that they are aware of the resources available whether through sports, clubs, counselling sessions, or educational programmes to support them to thrive.

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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.

In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.

The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.

According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.

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UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.

The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.

It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.

UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.

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The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.

The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.

Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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NPP suspends Greater Accra campaigns ahead of “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all aspirants campaigning in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the party’s planned “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration.

The directive was issued by the party’s National Steering Committee in a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the decision forms part of efforts to ensure a strong turnout for the demonstration, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.

The party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m., with participants expected to gather at the Supreme Court in Accra.

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It further directed Regional, Constituency and Polling Station Executives in Greater Accra to work closely to mobilise members and supporters for the event.

“The National Steering Committee is calling on all aspirants currently campaigning across the Greater Accra Region to temporarily suspend their campaign activities on the 5th and 6th of August and join in mobilising support for the upcoming demonstration,” the statement noted.

The NPP appealed to party members and supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the protest.

The demonstration forms part of the party’s response to concerns it has raised over issues relating to Ghana’s democratic governance and the justice system.

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The NPP leadership expressed confidence that party members would cooperate fully to ensure a successful and peaceful event.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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