News
Pay attention to health of prisoners’
Some members of the public being screened
The government has been urged to pay more attention to the health of prisoners as the absence of that could pose public health risk in the society.
Founder of Jabi Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, Ms Mary Yaa Wujiti, cautioned; “If we neglect the prisoners, remember the officers manning there will pick up infections and bring it to their dependents and the general community; the churches, mosques, market, school which is why we must prioritise their health.”
She shared the advice in an interview with The Spectator when her organisation in collaboration with LAMACONSULT, a conflict resolution focused NGO, organised a free health screening for inmates and officers of the Ankaful Maximum Prison in the Central region.
In all, about 400 individuals were screened for conditions including blood pressure, sugar, malaria, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) as well as eye complications with essential medications, eye glasses and assorted food items also donated to the facility.
Ms Wujiti said that one of the key values of Jabi Foundation was empathy which was its major drive to reach out to inmates and bring healthcare to their doorsteps.
“Since prisons is one neglected area in our society, we thought of bringing healthcare to their doorstep to put a smile on their face.”
Ms Wujiti, also an Ophthalmic Nurse, observed that due to overcrowding in the cells, most of the inmates had skin infections, some of which were communicable with others, particularly elderly inmates suffering blurred vision.
“Others complained of body aches, had nutritional deficits, among others so we appeal to the government, NGOs and the general public to support the healthcare systems in the prisons by providing them with medications, consumables and other necessary equipment to promote their wellbeing.”
She further encouraged members of the public to undertake an eye test at least once a year because, “blinding eye conditions are very silent, they don’t come with pain but before you realise you are blind.”
By Abigail Annoh
News
National Service Authority gets new Director-General
The National Service Authority (NSA) has officially welcomed a new Director-General, Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, following a brief handing-over ceremony at its headquarters on Tuesday.
The event marked the formal transfer of leadership from the outgoing Director-General, Mr. Felix Gyamfi, to Ms. Seddoh. Management and staff of the Authority attended the ceremony.
Mr. Gyamfi used the occasion to thank staff for their support during his tenure.
He encouraged them to give the same cooperation to Ms. Seddoh to ensure the continued growth and impact of the Authority.
Ms. Seddoh expressed appreciation to government for the confidence placed in her.
She promised to build on the achievements of her predecessor and called for teamwork, dedication and innovation to help the NSA deliver on its mandate to support national development.
Management of the Authority pledged their full support to the new leadership as the organisation enters its next phase.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NSA board sets up committee to supervise digital reforms
The Governing Board of the National Service Authority (NSA) has announced the inauguration of a Transition and Implementation Steering Committee (TISC) to oversee the Authority’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the Board, the move follows a letter dated 17 June 2025 from the Office of the President to the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment directing the suspension of the existing deployment system, calling for an audit of its operations and instructing the design and deployment of a new digital platform.
The Board explained that the audit had been completed and had found the existing system unsatisfactory.
It indicated that the Minister had written to the Board to begin the necessary legal processes to ensure the contract for the audited system, which expired in August 2025, would not be renewed, and to take further steps toward designing and deploying a new digital platform that would guarantee transparency, security and real-time verification of service personnel postings.
It stressed that the TISC had been established to ensure a smooth and orderly transition from the current National Service Scheme digital platform to a new ICT-led system aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery.
The Authority outlined the Committee’s mandate as overseeing the phased migration from the legacy system, directing the design and deployment of a modern digital platform, and supervising its operationalisation across core functions including personnel enrolment, postings, payroll, allowances and scheme administration.
It further noted that acting under the directives of the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment and deriving authority from the NSA Board, the TISC has the power to issue instructions to NSA departments and engage external partners necessary to achieve its mandate through the Governing Board.
The Authority named Dr. Wisdom Atiwoto, a member of the NSA Board and Director of Research, Statistics and Information Management at the Ministry of Health, as chair of the Committee.
Other members include Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, Mr. Shadrack Mensah, Ms. Elorm Goh, Mr. Benjamin Freeman Kusi, Ms. Jennifer Opong, Dr. Stephan Nwolley, Mr. Koku Abotsi, Mr. Japhet Kuntu, Mr. Nabil Abubakar Hussayn and Ms. Regina Obenewa Penrose as Secretary.
The NSA Board assured the public and stakeholders of its commitment to innovation, accountability and excellence in service delivery.
It emphasised that there would be no disruption in the fulfilment of its obligations to national service personnel as outlined in the National Service Act, Act 1119 (2024), and indicated that updates on the Committee’s progress would be communicated in due course.
With the collective expertise of its members, the TISC is expected to deliver a robust and future-ready platform that will anchor the next phase of the National Service Scheme’s operations.
By: Jacob Aggrey
