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Alhaji Seidu Abdulai conferred with Royal Appreciation Certificate
The Metropolitan Chief Imam of Kpone-Katamanso, Alhaji Seidu Abdulai, has been conferred with a Royal Appreciation Certificate by His Royal Highness Nii Teye Kojo Amankwah Sune I, Chief of Gbetsile.
The certificate was in recognition of Imam Abdulai’s exceptional commitment and contributions to the development and cohesion of the Gbetsile community.
This was made known in a statement issued and copied to The Ghanaian Times over the weekend.
The statement noted that the citation accompanying the award highlights Imam Abdulai’s remarkable commitment and invaluable support towards the growth and development of the Gbetsile Community.
“In recognition of your remarkable commitment and invaluable support towards the growth and development of the Gbetsile Community. Your selfless dedication continues to make a lasting impact,” it said.
It stated that the Chief Imam’s selfless dedication has made a lasting impact on the community, and he is widely respected for his religious leadership and multifaceted role in community advancement.
“Imam Abdulai’s work transcends the mosque, encompassing socio-cultural development, interfaith engagement, and grassroots governance initiatives,” it noted.
It underscored that he has played a vital role in fostering peaceful coexistence between the Muslim and Christian communities in the area, reflecting the national efforts of the Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.
With a master’s degree in Democracy, Governance, Law, and Development from the University of Cape Coast, Imam Abdulai brings both theological insight and academic training to his work.
He is also a trained counsellor, certified by the Ghana Psychology Council and trained at the TUCEE Institute of Technology and Counselling.
This dual expertise enables him to offer holistic guidance spiritually, emotionally, and socially to members of the community.
His Royal Highness Nii Teye Kojo Amankwah Sune I described Imam Abdulai as “a pillar of unity and development,” whose enduring dedication continues to strengthen the social fabric of Gbetsile.
This recognition serves as a testament to Imam Abdulai’s individual efforts and an affirmation of the critical role that religious and traditional leaders play in promoting social harmony, interfaith cooperation, and community progress.
The award is a well-deserved recognition of Imam Abdulai’s outstanding contributions to the Gbetsile community
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
