News
Seek early medical care to increase chances of childbirth- Fertility Specialist
Women who desire to become mothers have been advised to seek early medical attention when they are experiencing a delay in child bearing as this could increase their chances of conception.
This advice follows an observation that some women often made the decision to get help from specialist when the situation was almost too late for any medical intervention thereby denying themselves the opportunity to have their own babies.
A Gynaecologist and In Vitro Fertilisation ( IVF ) Specialist, Dr. Wanjiru Ndengwa delivering a lecture on “Fertility Management Options – Messages for the Community ” at the Merck Foundation Health Media Training Programme said it was heartbreaking that some women wasted too much time moving from one place to the other due to misinformation and ignorance and only went to fertility centres as a last option.
The programme organised for journalists from various countries among others was aimed at building the capacity of media personnel for advocacy on infertile issues and stigmatisation.
She said issues of conception were but a serious subject which should not be taken for granted and so expert advice should be the first rather than last option explaining the basics of couple infertility treatment as “searching, finding and treating the causes”.
She said time was very critical in the life of women because child bearing age was time bound compared with men.
Dr. Ndengwa said women who had visited fertility centres on time had saved themselves unnecessary stress as talks, investigations, imaging investigations, ultra sound scan among others were done on time to fix their challenges unlike those who sought treatment late.
She mentioned infertility as infections, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), abortions, deliveries (example child birth complications), blocked tubes, fibroid and other pathologies of women as some of the major causes of infertility.
She said early treatment increased the chances of a woman to have more children explaining that for instance a woman in her twenties who consulted Specialists early could have about four children while a woman in her forties could not do same due to the age factor.
The Gynaecologist and IVF Specialist said it was important for everyone to get the right information to prevent unfortunate cases of denying themselves the opportunity to be mothers due to ignorance.
She said upon examination, it had been found out that some women needed a small intervention in lifestyle change such as losing weight, change in diet or exercise to get pregnant.
She said others also needed treatment of infection, hormonal treatments, antibiotics, fixing of tubal blockage among others.
She disclosed that it was important for men to also seek medical attention when a woman was not conceiving because male factors such as poor quality sperms (azoospermia) could be the reason and so the blame should not be laid solely at the door step of a woman.
Dr. Ndengwa appealed to the public to desist from stigmatising childless couples as it caused them stress which affected the results of efforts to get pregnant.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
In a world where fathers are increasingly consumed by work and the pursuit of financial security, Bishop Michael Quartey, the Regional Overseer of the Perez Chapel International, has urged fathers to prioritise spending quality time with their children.
This, he said makes them develop trust, love and sense of security in building confident responsible adults.
Bishop Michael Quartey made this known in an interview with The Spectator ahead of the Father’s Day celebration tomorrow.
He noted that while many fathers are providing the financial needs of their families, children also require emotional support, guidance and quality time from their fathers.
“A lot of children are engaged in a lot of negative things just because of the absence of their fathers and it is about time we sit up.”
Bishop Quartey explained that fatherhood goes beyond meeting financial obligations and involves being physically and emotionally present in the lives of their children.
“Fathers serve as role models whose actions and decisions often influence the values and attitudes of their children” he disclosed.
He also elaborated that regular communication, participation in school activities and involvement in children’s daily life could significantly strengthen family bonds and contribute to the overall well –being of the children.
He added that though the modern day fathers are doing so well, we need to continue to change the narrative by putting in extra effort in the upbringing of our children.
“Being a father is a great joy and it is very necessary for fathers to be celebrated because they go through a lot,” he indicated.
Mr Quartey used the opportunity to encourage all fathers to continue doing their best and pray for their children as well.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
A new cultural, trade, and diplomatic platform celebrating Ghana-Norway ties was launched on Saturday, June 13, at Palms by Eagles Hotel, Accra.
Dubbed the ‘Akwaaba Nsuo & Velkommen Fjord Durbar 2026’, the event draws on the symbolism of Ghana’s rivers, -Nsuo, and Norway’s fjords to highlight water as a shared cultural, economic, and environmental identity.
The three-day event is scheduled for July 31 – August 2, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. Activities will include a trade exhibition, durbar of chiefs, and B2B networking sessions.
Speaking at the launch, CEO of the Durbar, Kofi Mulan, said Ghana’s rivers like the Volta, Pra, and Ankobra have long sustained livelihoods through fishing, transport, and spirituality.
“Similarly, Norway’s fjords represent the cornerstone of its maritime heritage, global leadership in ocean industries, and environmental stewardship,” Mr Mulan added.
“These parallel relationships with water form the philosophical and thematic spine of the entire event. The Akwaaba Nsuo & Velkommen Fjord Durbar 2026 is therefore framed as a convergence of heritage and innovation,” he said.
Organisers say participants will benefit from Global visibility and cultural diplomacy in Europe, stronger ties with Norway, and increased market access for exports like fashion, crafts, agribusiness, and processed goods under AfCFTA frameworks on the Ghana side.
On the Norway side, they noted access to Norwegian expertise in maritime technology, aquaculture, and renewable energy, plus opportunities in fisheries, offshore energy, and sustainability projects.
The Durbar is positioned as a high-level exchange platform to deepen trade and diplomatic relations between Ghana and Norway.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
