News
Cancer cases among teachers on the rise …GNAT raises concern
Christian Adinkra, a Board Member of the Cancer Foundation
The increasing cases of cancer patients in the country, particularly among teachers, has become a major concern for the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT).
Officials of GNAT are worried about the increasing number of its members suffering from cancer, as data at the GNAT Cancer Foundation (GCF) revealed that GNAT cancer patients at the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre is 2,666 out of which 2,388 are in active service and 278 are retirees.
A Board Member of GCF and Madina-Adenta-Abokobi District GNAT Chairman, Mr Christian Adinkra, who made this known during an education programme in Ho on the devastating effects of cancer, stressed the need for regular screening for early detection and treatment.
According to Mr Adinkra, cancer cases were on the increase among teachers and with depletion of funds, there is the need to prioritise preventive education, treatment, and management sustainability.
He said currently, members of GNAT contribute GH¢5 a month to the Cancer Fund, which he observed was not sufficient in view of the increasing cost of treatment and management of cancer.
Mr Adinkra announced that in the Volta Region, the cases of cancer have shot up among teachers in the Ho District, Akatsi-North and the Hohoe Municipality.
“This should be a matter of concern to all. Regular screening remains the only solution to address the challenge,” he added.
The Chairperson of the Ho District of GNAT, which comprises of the Ho Municipality, Adaklu District, Agortime-Ziope District and the Ho-West District,
Ms Lois Tipong-Asare explained that teachers willingly visit the district office in Ho, to inform the office that they have cancer for the necessary support, which he attributed to regular education on the disease.
Ms Tipong-Asare explained that the beneficiaries of GCF are teachers and their spouses, two children under the age of 18 years and teachers who went on retirement from 2022.
She said as a result of regular education on the disturbing effects of cancer, many teachers and non-teachers were willingly checking their status through regular screening.
Ms Tipong-Asare said screening for cancer was not only meant for women but men as well because some men also suffer from breast cancer, and added that men during screening for cancer could be diagnosed with prostate cancer for early treatment.
From Samuel Agbewode, Ho
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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