News
4% of Ghanaian youth hypertensive – Health Expert
Parents and health professionals have been urged to make blood pressure checks for children a routine practice, as more young people in Ghana are developing hypertension, a condition once believed to affect only adults.
Dr Elliot Koranteng, a Consultant Nephrologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Founder of Kidney Health International, revealed in an interview with The Spectator that about four per cent of Ghanaian youth aged 15 to 24 are hypertensive.
He warned that this trend signals a growing public health threat that requires urgent national attention.
“Hypertension is no longer a disease of adults. Many children are now developing high blood pressure, yet we rarely think of checking them,” Dr Koranteng said.
“It has never been part of routine medical checks for children, and that is dangerous because early signs often go unnoticed until serious complications occur,” he added.
He explained that most hospitals, including primary and secondary health facilities, lack blood pressure cuffs designed for children.
“We only have adult cuffs in many hospitals because no one thinks children can have high blood pressure. But some do, either from hereditary factors, kidney or heart problems, or even secondary causes like the use of bleaching creams by parents on their children,” he disclosed.
Dr Koranteng Tannor warned that untreated hypertension in childhood could lead to severe complications such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease at an early age.
He noted that several young patients are already on two or three different medications to manage their blood pressure.
“When you see 18-year-olds on chronic hypertension medication, it tells you how serious the problem is,” he emphasised.
Dr Tannor urged the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to integrate blood pressure screening for children into regular health checks at hospitals and schools.
“When a child complains of headaches, facial swelling, or tiredness, we should not only test for malaria. Their blood pressure should also be checked to rule out hypertension or related conditions like diabetes and kidney disease,” he advised.
He also called on parents to be proactive by requesting blood pressure checks for their children during hospital visits.
“The earlier hypertension is detected, the easier it is to manage. We cannot continue to assume that children are immune,” he cautioned.
Dr Tannor further appealed for public education on childhood hypertension, stressing that awareness and early detection were key to preventing a future crisis.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
About 200 company secretaries, governance professionals and institutional leaders will gather in Accra for the ‘Company Secretaries Summit’ next month.
It is aimed at strengthening governance practices and enhance boardroom effectiveness across the country.
The summit, which is scheduled for July 16 at the Labadi Beach Hotel seeks to equip governance professionals with the knowledge, skills, and networks required to navigate the increasingly complex demands of modern corporate leadership.
It will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focusing on emerging governance trends, boardroom dynamics, regulatory compliance, digital transformation, and stakeholder expectations.
According to the convener, Catherine Engmann, the summit comes at a critical time when governance professionals are under growing pressure to support sound decision-making, strengthen governance culture, and respond effectively to changing institutional and regulatory environments.
“This gathering is not just another conference. It is a platform for governance leaders who are already operating at the highest level and intend to stay there,” she said.
She noted that the programme was designed to provide participants with practical tools, fresh insights, and valuable professional connections.
According to Ms Engmann, a major highlight of the event will be the awards ceremony, which will recognise individuals and organisations that have demonstrated excellence in governance practice and made significant contributions to improving board effectiveness and corporate accountability.
She mentioned that the summit will also offer participants an opportunity to benchmark their practices against industry standards, exchange ideas with peers, and explore innovative approaches to governance challenges.
Beyond the formal sessions, the event is expected to foster networking and collaboration among governance professionals, helping to strengthen governance practices across Ghana’s corporate and institutional landscape.
Speaking about the vision behind the initiative, Ms Engmann, said the summit was inspired by the need to create a dedicated platform that recognises the critical role played by company secretaries and governance professionals.
According to her, the Company Secretaries’ Summit and Awards reflects her conviction that Ghana’s governance professionals deserve an annual platform where they can engage in meaningful discussions, build strategic relationships, and receive recognition for their contributions to effective governance.
Registration for the summit, she said was currently open, with interested professionals encouraged to secure their participation ahead of the event.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
-1 cup dried soya beans
-4–5 cups for water (for blending)
-Extra water for soaking
-Sugar, honey or dates (optional, for sweetness)
-Vanilla extract (optional)
Preparation
-Pick through the beans to remove stones or damaged seeds and rinse thoroughly
-Place them in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water. Soak for at least eight hours or overnight to soften it to blend easier
– After soaking, rub the beans with your hands as the skin begins to remove
– Removing the skins helps reduce the ‘beany’ taste and improves texture
– Put the soaked beans into a blender with 4–5 cups of clean water
-Blend until smooth and milky. (You may need to do this in batches depending on your blender size).
– Using a clean muslin cloth or fine sieve, strain the blended mixture into a pot. (Squeeze well to extract as much liquid as possible).
-The leftover pulp is called okara. Don’t throw it away — it can be used in baking, porridge, or even added to stews.
– Place the strained milk on medium heat and make it boil. Stir continuously to prevent burning or overflowing.
– Allow it to boil for at least 20–25 minutes. Proper boiling removes the raw taste and neutralises natural compounds that can upset the stomach.
-Once boiled a little sugar or honey. Pulse.gh
Health benefits of Soya beans
News1 week agoFSD Africa, others launch Green Project Preparation Facility to unlock investment in climate infrastructure in Ghana
- News1 week ago
Bryan Acheampong calls for unity, urges Kennedy Agyapong to support Dr. Bawumia
- News1 week ago
Merck Foundation holds 13th Africa Asia Luminary with 12 First Ladies to advance healthcare capacity across Africa and Asia
