News
MP urges parental support to improve BECE results
The Ketu North MP Eric Agbana has expressed concern over poor BECE performance in the constituency and appealed to parents to support efforts aimed at improving educational outcomes.
Speaking during his second quarterly accountability forum held at Dzodze on Saturday, July 6, Mr Agbana noted that BECE results from most basic schools in the area were worrying, with many pupils scoring aggregate 25 and above—well below the standard required for admission into competitive second-cycle institutions.
He described the situation as a serious challenge to educational development in the constituency and called for a united response to address the issue.
“Education remains my topmost priority as a Member of Parliament,” he stated. “But we can only solve the problem if we start from the foundation—the basic level. I appeal to parents to support this cause by providing their children’s basic needs and encouraging them to take their studies seriously.”
Mr Agbana pledged to continue removing financial and logistical barriers that impede access to quality education and announced plans to supply computers to some second-cycle institutions in the constituency to aid teaching and learning, particularly in preparation for ICT-based assessments.
Touching on healthcare, the MP referenced the ongoing Sick Bay project at Dzodze-Penyi Senior High School, an initiative begun by his predecessor. He said construction was progressing steadily, and that the school’s management had requested that the facility be upgraded to a fully functional clinic.
“I have submitted formal requests to the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health to consider converting the facility into a clinic that can serve both students and staff,” he revealed.
Also addressing the forum, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ketu North, Rev. Martin Amenaki, announced that the Assembly would begin constructing new school blocks for selected basic and kindergarten schools once the District Assembly Common Fund was released.
He said Tsiyinu Basic School in Afife is expected to benefit from a classroom renovation project, and that work was ongoing to complete a previously stalled six-unit classroom block in the same community.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to improving educational outcomes in Ketu North and called on all stakeholders—teachers, parents, traditional leaders, and community members—to support the collective efforts to uplift education in the area. –GNA
News
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
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Hot!
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
