News
Mayor of Accra sensitises traders on Monkeypox; urges compliance with
The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has cautioned traders operating within the Central Business District (CBD) to strictly adhere to the Assembly’s red line policy and maintain proper hygiene in the wake of rising public health concerns, including the threat of monkeypox.
Speaking during a tour of the metropolis on Friday, to continue the reintroduction of the redline policy along the key routes, including the ECG Junction to Ghana School of Law, the Shopping Mall opposite the King Tackie Tawiah Statue, Makola 31st (Kojo Thompson Avenue), and Kinbu Street (Tudu), Mayor Kpakpo Allotey cautioned the traders against selling on road shoulders and obstructing vehicular movement.
“I’m begging you, please position yourself well, that’s all we want,” the Mayor told traders, stressing that their safety is at risk.
“Right now, there are diseases like monkeypox out there, and if you’re not careful and you contract it, there’s no medicine,” he added.
He expressed his displeasure at the unsanitary conditions created by some traders and urged them to clean their trading areas immediately after generating waste.
“This woman has made a lot of rubbish here; I am supposed to sack her. Clean the place as soon as you make the rubbish so that we don’t fall sick. Let’s live peacefully together, change your behaviour, please,” he said.
Mayor Allotey emphasised that his intention was not to oppress traders but to protect lives and restore order.
“The President did not assign me to come and disturb you, and also, he doesn’t want any problems,” he said.
“We have only one Ghana. If I don’t see to it and Ghana gets destroyed, you people will say that when the new Mayor came, he was a liar and a lazy person,” he continued.
Reaffirming his commitment to fairness and dialogue, the Mayor said, “No one came here to sack somebody. They didn’t give us power to oppress you. Our president, John Mahama, is not like that”.
He communicates with us behind closed doors before we come out. He said it’s humans we’re going to look after. Humans are not animals. If you’re doing something with them, you have to engage.”
He warned that sensitisation would soon be over from next week, stressing that “Whenever I come around and you have gone contrary to my words, I am going to seize your items and donate them to the Prison Service and the orphanage.”
The Mayor assured the traders that the pavement and streets have not been sold to any individual, warning against unauthorised occupation while reiterating the Assembly’s commitment to reintroduce the red lines policy to guide traders on where they can lawfully operate, stating, “When you arrange yourself well, we’ll come and mark the line.”
He called on traders to cooperate, make space, and support the city’s quest to restore order and improve public safety.
News
Oxfam in Ghana donates medical equipment and essential drugs worth GH¢1.5 million to Kasoa Polyclinic
Oxfam in Ghana has donated medical equipment and essential drugs worth about GH¢1.5 million to the Kasoa Polyclinic to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services in the municipality.
The presentation, which took place on Tuesday, June 24, 2026, at the premises of the clinic in Kasoa, formed part of the sustainability and legacy activities under the Power to Choose (P2C) Project.
The donated items included delivery beds, maternity beds, oxygen cylinders, neonatal resuscitation equipment, blood pressure monitors, newborn weighing scales, suction machines, delivery kits, essential medicines, medical theatre wear and other critical supplies to support quality healthcare delivery.
The Power to Choose Project is a seven-year initiative being implemented by Oxfam in Ghana in partnership with the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), WiLDAF Ghana, SEND Ghana, Norsaac and PARDA, with funding from Global Affairs Canada through Oxfam Quebec.
The project seeks to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people, particularly adolescent girls, young women and young men living in vulnerable and marginalised conditions.
Addressing nurses and management of the hospital, the Country Director for Oxfam in Ghana, Mohammed-Anwar Sadat Adam, said the project, which began in 2021 and will run until early 2028, is being implemented in seven countries across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
He said Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the two African countries benefiting from the project.
Mr. Adam noted that the project has already trained about 102 health workers in areas including youth-friendly services, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, family planning, gender-based violence response, respectful maternity care and inclusive healthcare delivery.
He said Oxfam and its partners conducted assessments at beneficiary facilities and identified equipment needs to help improve healthcare delivery.
According to him, the donation would create safe spaces where young women and girls could seek healthcare services without fear or stigma and would improve health outcomes in the community.
Mr. Adam thanked the Government of Canada, the Ghana Health Service, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Ghana (SOGOG), World Health Ghana and other partners for supporting the implementation of the project.
He urged the beneficiary facilities to ensure that the equipment is properly used and maintained to serve the community for many years.
A speech by the Municipal Health Director for Awutu Senya East, Dr. Stanley Kweku Yaidoo, which was read on his behalf by the Municipal Accountant, Rev. Dr. Askari Thomas, described the donation as timely and important.
He said quality healthcare delivery depends on manpower, financial resources and equipment, adding that healthcare workers cannot effectively deliver services without the necessary tools.
Dr. Yaidoo thanked Oxfam and its partners for selecting Kasoa as one of the beneficiary facilities and assured them that the equipment would be put to good use.
The Acting Medical Superintendent of Kasoa Polyclinic, Dr. Papa Kojo Arthur, expressed appreciation to Oxfam for its continuous support over the years through training and capacity building.
He said the equipment would greatly support the effective management of patients, particularly in maternal and child healthcare.
According to him, the donation would help reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in the municipality.
The donation formed part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of youth-friendly health facilities in eight implementing districts across five regions of Ghana to continue providing quality and accessible sexual and reproductive healthcare services beyond the lifespan of the project.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) has announced that an electronic copy of Ghana’s revised National Cultural Policy is now available online for free access by the public and stakeholders in the creative sector.
In a statement issued on June 22, the ministry said the revised policy was officially launched on June 9, 2026, at the National Theatre of Ghana in Accra.
According to the ministry, the decision to upload the document on its official website is aimed at ensuring widespread dissemination, increasing public awareness and promoting the effective implementation of the policy.
The ministry encouraged sector practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public to visit its website and read the document.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, in the spirit of the Black Star Experience, remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and collaborative approach to building the better Ghana we want,” the statement said.
It added that it looks forward to the active participation of stakeholders in implementing the policy for the benefit of the country.
The ministry urged the public to take advantage of the free access to the policy document and familiarise themselves with its contents.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News1 week agoNFS, AACMA raise GH¢300K for new fire tender
- News6 days ago
FSD Africa, others launch Green Project Preparation Facility to unlock investment in climate infrastructure in Ghana
- News6 days ago
Merck Foundation holds 13th Africa Asia Luminary with 12 First Ladies to advance healthcare capacity across Africa and Asia
