News
Absence of RBC antibody screening puts babies at risk
A NEW study has revealed alarming gaps in antenatal care in Ghana, where routine screening for Red Blood Cell (RBC) antibodies is largely absent, leaving many babies at risk of preventable complications and death. The research, conducted between June 2024 and June 2025 at a secondary referral facility, was led by Dr (Mrs) Lilian Antwi Boateng, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Medical Diagnostics, KNUST, with support from Mr Bastu Odoka, Principal Medical Laboratory Scientist at Effia Nkwanta Hospital.
The study, involving 411 pregnant women, found that nine (2.2 per cent) carried potentially harmful antibodies. Among RhD- (a protein found on the surface of red blood cells) negative mothers, the prevalence of anti-D antibodies was 17.1 per cent — higher than rates reported in other African countries.
Two babies born to affected mothers developed serious complications; one died on the third day of life, while the other survived after intensive care. According to Dr Antwi Boateng, in a chat with The Spectator, the absence of routine RBC antibody testing in most hospitals is contributing to stillbirths, preterm births, and neonatal deaths.
In Ghana, these conditions occur at estimated rates of 1.2 per cent, 37.3 per cent, and 2.3 per cent respectively, based on recent studies. Although anti-D prophylaxis — two injections given during pregnancy and shortly after birth — can prevent sensitisation almost entirely, access remains limited.
Only 49 per cent of eligible mothers in the study had received the injections, far below the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 100 per cent coverage. The drug, which costs about GH₵750 per dose, is often unavailable or unaffordable, leaving many women unprotected.
Health experts, including Dr Antwi Boateng, are calling for urgent reforms: routine antenatal RBC antibody screening, enforcement of national protocols for RhD immunoprophylaxis, and inclusion of anti-D immunoglobulin in the National Health Insurance Scheme. They also recommend training healthcare providers to detect and manage maternal antibodies.
“This is a preventable tragedy,” Dr Antwi Boateng stressed, noting that every Ghanaian baby deserves the chance to be born healthy.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Government of Ghana has approved plans to establish a new teacher training college at Ezinlibo in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region.
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced the decision during a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Gas Company.
He explained that the government, through the Ministry of Education and in collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, has a strong case to support the project.
According to him, the new college will help expand access to tertiary education, especially in the Western Region.
He added that the project will be carried out in partnership with Ghana Gas as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts to support education in the area.
The minister stressed that the approval is a policy decision, with plans to establish the college in 2027. He noted, however, that the timeline will depend on the availability of funds from the Ghana Education Trust Fund.
He said the initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to improve teacher education and ensure more trained teachers are available across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Gas, Judith Adjoa Blay, said the meeting followed a proposal by the Nzema Academia and Educationalist Association.
She noted that the discussions focused on the policy direction and overall plan for the project.
She further explained that there will be a technical meeting to outline the scope of work and key requirements needed to begin implementation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ashanti North Regional Police Command has arrested eight suspected highway robbers in a special intelligence-led operation following a robbery attack on the Mampong–Ejura Highway.
In a press release dated March 31, 2026, and signed by the Ashanti North Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Felix Apedo, the police said the suspects were linked to a robbery incident that occurred on March 26, 2026, at the Aframso Bridge.
According to the statement, six armed men attacked a driver, Appiah Joseph, who was transporting 14 passengers in a Ssangyong minibus from Kumasi to Atebubu. The attackers reportedly robbed the victims of cash and mobile phones.
The police explained that after the incident, they gathered intelligence and mounted surveillance on the suspects.
Acting on the information, a special operations team, in collaboration with personnel from the NOD Surveillance Unit in Accra, moved to Amakwa Dadey Hotel at Ejura on March 30, 2026.
The statement noted that upon arrival, the officers found the suspects allegedly sharing money believed to be proceeds from the robbery. Eight suspects were subsequently arrested.
They were identified as Amidu Sajo, Ibrahim Sule, Karim Hadu, Malik Jibrilla, Yusifa Asakoko, Umaru Issifu, Damani Yamba, and Ibrahim Iddrisu, also known as “Bule.”
The police further stated that Iddrisu, who was on the wanted list for previous robbery cases, attempted to escape during the operation. While being pursued, he reportedly attacked an officer with a cutlass and tried to seize a service weapon.
In the process, he sustained gunshot wounds to his left leg and arm.
He was rushed to the Mampong Government Hospital and later referred to the Jamasi Pope John Paul Hospital, where he was pronounced dead while receiving treatment.
Police said several items were retrieved during the operation, including two rounds of AK-47 ammunition, three cutlasses, an amount of GHC 15,717.00, eight mobile phones, a talisman, an ID card, and a side bag.
The remaining suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with investigations.
The command indicated that the operation is ongoing to arrest other suspects and retrieve additional weapons.
It added that the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Mampong Government Hospital morgue for preservation and further action.
The Ashanti North Regional Police Command assured the public of its commitment to fighting highway robbery and ensuring safety, and urged residents to continue cooperating with the police.
By: Jacob Aggrey
