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Improve maternal care, mental health to address infertility —Health experts
Health experts have called for urgent public education, improved maternal care and mental health support to help address the medical and social impact of infertility.
Speaking at a health media training programme organised by the Merck Foundation last week in Dubai, leading specialists from across the continent called for urgent action to fight cultural stigma, improve access to reproductive healthcare, and normalise open conversations around infertility.
Dr Edem K. Hiadzi, a renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist with the Lister Hospital in Accra, highlighted reproductive tract infections as one of the major causes of infertility in women across sub-Saharan Africa.
He explained that these infections often result from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), unsafe abortion practices, and post-delivery infections, which are frequently linked to untrained birth attendants or traditional healers.
“Infections acquired during unsterile procedures such as unsafe abortions or poorly managed deliveries can lead to tubal blockage and adhesions,” Dr Hiadzi said.
“Asherman’s syndrome, caused by excessive scraping of the uterine lining during dilation and curettage (D&C), is another major contributor. These are preventable conditions, yet they continue to rob many women of the ability to conceive.”
He expressed concern that a significant number of women in rural and underserved communities still deliver outside professional health facilities, increasing their risk of infections that lead to long-term complications.
“We cannot ignore the role of unskilled birth practices in perpetuating infertility. Prolonged and obstructed labour, for instance, can lead to pelvic infections, tubal damage, and obstetric fistula-some of the most devastating outcomes for any woman,” he added.
Dr Hiadzi stressed that infertility, particularly among women, is often misunderstood and leads to severe social consequences.
Supporting his call for action, Dr Francisca Bwalya, a consultant psychiatrist and Zambia’s National Mental Health Coordinator, highlighted the psychological trauma many women endure due to infertility.
Dr Bwalya warned that the emotional burden can lead to anxiety, depression, and long-lasting mental health challenges.
She called for community-based education campaigns to address behavioural practices and promote safer reproductive choices.
Dr David Mwesigye, a fertility specialist based in Kigali, Rwanda, emphasised the importance of early medical intervention.
He explained that while men can remain fertile well into old age, women’s fertility significantly declines after the age of 35.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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Gov’t to build new public technical university in Western Region – Pres. Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his government will build a new public technical university in the Western Region to expand access to technical and vocational education for young people.
In a speech at the Jubilee House during a courtesy call by the Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, and other members of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, President Mahama said the new university forms part of a broader plan to prepare the region’s youth for emerging job opportunities in mining, oil and gas, agribusiness, and digital industries.
He explained that the technical university will be designed to meet the practical needs of industries in the region and across the country.
According to him, this move is crucial to Ghana’s long-term development goals, especially as the Western Region continues to contribute significantly to the national economy through natural resources.
“The Western Region holds immense potential to lead Ghana into a new era of industrialization and job creation. But we must equip our young people with the right skills. That is why we are building a new public technical university here” the President intimated.
He added that this new institution will work alongside other youth-focused programs, including a region-wide employment initiative focused on agri-tech, tourism, green jobs, and digital entrepreneurship.
President Mahama revealed plans to upgrade the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital into a modern teaching hospital that will serve as a referral center for the Western and Western North regions.
This, he said, would improve healthcare delivery and provide training grounds for medical students.
He assured the chiefs that these initiatives would help bridge development gaps and ensure that the youth in the region have better access to education, training, and jobs.
The President urged the chiefs to support these efforts by promoting peace, unity, and development in their communities.
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Oil-producing communities in Western Region to benefit from sea defense and social projects – Prez Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has assured that coastal communities in the Western Region affected by oil and gas activities will see direct improvements in infrastructure, sea defense, and social services under his next development agenda.
The president made it clear that the discovery of petroleum in the region must be a blessing and not a burden.
He stated that towns like Essiama and Anochie, located in the oil-producing enclaves, would benefit from better roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, and agribusiness support as part of the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
He explained that the government is expanding sea defense projects along the coast to protect fishing communities from tidal wave erosion.
These efforts, he noted are also aimed at preserving marine livelihoods and supporting the coastal economy.
President Mahama revealed that the government will establish a dedicated oil and gas services hub at the Takoradi Port through a public-private partnership.
He said the expansion of the port would include new container terminals and dry bulk facilities to boost exports and reduce delays for vessels.
He added that the (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations, 2013 (L.I. 2204) would be strengthened to ensure young people in the Western Region gain access to petroleum jobs, contracts, and technical training.
The president also announced that the Ministry of Energy had been directed to renegotiate land arrangements with landowners around the planned petroleum hub.
He said the government will release unused portions of land back to communities and pay compensation for land that will be used, starting with 5,000 hectares instead of the initially acquired 20,000 hectares.
He stressed that oil wealth must translate into better living conditions for the people whose lands and livelihoods are affected by exploration and production activities.
Jacob Aggrey
