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Adopt preventive measures against mosquito, waterborne diseases -GHS
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) urged Ghanaians to adopt preventive measures against waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases as rains set in
According to the GHS, the onset of the rains is often accompanied by increased cases of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery due to contaminated water sources. Rainwater, it explained, can wash faecal matter into streams, rivers and other water bodies, posing serious health risks to communities.
A press release signed by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, also warned that vegetables cultivated near water bodies could become contaminated during this period, making proper washing and cooking of food essential.
Again, the service noted that stagnant water created by the rains provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. It identified discarded cans, old tyres and other containers that collect water as common mosquito breeding sites.
To minimise these risks, the GHS advised the public to keep their surroundings clean, clear bushes around homes and remove containers capable of collecting stagnant water. It also encouraged regular handwashing with soap under running water, thorough cooking of food, proper washing of fruits and vegetables with clean water and salt or vinegar, and purchasing food only from hygienic and reputable sources.
The service urged members of the public to report promptly to the nearest health facility if they develop symptoms of illness.
Food vendors were also reminded to observe strict food safety practices, including sourcing food items from approved suppliers, separating raw foods from cooked or ready-to-eat foods, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and ensuring that their food handling certificates remain valid.
The GHS further cautioned that flooding associated with the rains could drive reptiles from their natural habitats into human settlements.
The service advised residents to keep doors and windows closed where possible, raise belongings off the floor during floods and clear bushes and holes around their homes that could serve as hiding places for reptiles.
The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of the public, and appealed for the cooperation of all residents to help prevent disease outbreaks throughout the rainy season.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
Explorer’s 60-Day Tuk-Tuk Tour Promotes Ghana Tourism and Raises Support for Deaf and Blind Schools
Ghanaian explorer and author Princess Umul Hatiyya Ibrahim Mahama has embarked on a 60-day nationwide tour across Ghana in a tuk-tuk to promote tourism, showcase local communities, and raise funds to support deaf and blind schools across the country.
The initiative, dubbed ‘60-Day Drive Across Ghana on a Tuk-Tuk,’ seeks to position Ghana as a destination for meaningful tourism while drawing attention to the educational and infrastructure needs of children with disabilities.
The expedition, which began in Accra in May, will cover all 16 regions of Ghana, more than 100 communities, over 20 tourist attractions, and approximately 5,000 kilometres before its completion.
Speaking in Tamale during the Northern Regional leg of the journey, Princess Umul said the project was inspired by her extensive travels to more than 90 countries across five continents and her belief that Ghana’s greatest tourism asset is the warmth and hospitality of its people.
She said, that the initiative aims to promote domestic tourism, increase visibility for community-based tourism enterprises, encourage patronage of Made-in-Ghana products, and raise GH¢10 million over a five-year period to support infrastructure improvements in ten schools for deaf and blind children.
She said, apart from the leaking roofs, broken ceilings and infrastructure defects in Savelugu School for the Deaf, the school has also been invaded by bats, making the stench unbearable.
“The journey has not been easy, but the purpose behind it keeps us moving. We are appealing to individuals, institutions, and corporate organisations to support this initiative so that together we can improve educational opportunities for children with disabilities while promoting Ghana’s tourism potential,” she said.
She said, departing Accra on May 17, the team has travelled through parts of the Greater Accra, Eastern, Volta, Oti, Northern and Savannah regions, covering more than 2,035 kilometres.
Md. Hatiyya said, tourism sites visited include the James Town Lighthouse and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, Lake Volta at Akwamufie, Mount Gemi at Amedzofe, Kyabobo National Park in the Oti Region, the Dambai Ferry Port, Bontanga Dam in the Northern Region, and the Salaga Slave Market Museum in the Savannah Region.
As part of the expedition, the team has also engaged traditional authorities, community leaders, local government officials and tourism stakeholders to discuss opportunities for strengthening tourism development and preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage.
Among the traditional leaders visited are the Kumbungu Naa, Yo Naa of Savelugu, Tibung Lana, Dalun Lana and Zangbalung Na.
Princess Hatiyya described visits to the Savelugu School for the Deaf and interactions with hearing-impaired adults in the northern Region said, was one of the most memorable moments of the journey so far.
She noted that the encounters had reinforced the importance of investing in facilities and opportunities for children and persons living with disabilities.
The expedition she said, has also attracted significant public attention, with residents, motorists and market traders expressing interest in the campaign and making donations towards its objectives.
According to Princess Hatiyya, the project will culminate in a documentary series and a 30-minute film highlighting Ghana’s tourism assets, cultural heritage, community stories and the experiences encountered during the journey.
The organisers expect the initiative to contribute to increased visibility for tourism destinations, stimulate interest in domestic travel, promote cultural preservation and encourage greater investment in tourism infrastructure and community development.
Princess Umul Hatiyya commended donors and supporters who have contributed to the initiative and appealed for additional support to help achieve its fundraising target for deaf and blind schools across the country.
She expressed confidence that the journey would not only showcase Ghana’s tourism potential but also inspire greater national support for children living with disabilities.
“We have witnessed extraordinary kindness and hospitality from Ghanaians throughout this journey. It confirms that Ghana has a unique story to tell the world, and we are proud to be sharing that story one community at a time,” she said.
From: Geoffrey Buta, Tamale.
The Regional Maritime University (RMU) on Saturday, held its 20th Congregation, graduating a total of 368 students with master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and diplomas in various disciplines.
The graduating class comprised 82 master’s degree holders, 213 bachelor’s degree recipients and 73 diploma graduates.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Transport, Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, described the maritime sector as a critical driver of Ghana’s economic transformation and job creation, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening maritime education and industry development.
He said the government recognises the strategic role of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in producing the skilled workforce needed to support national development and the growth of the blue economy.
To this end, he said, government was aligning maritime education with national development priorities, including the 24-hour Economy policy and modern supply chain integration.
Mr Nikpe, who also serves as Chancellor of the RMU and Chairman of its Board of Governors, made the remarks at the university’s 20th Congregation in Accra on Saturday.
He pledged Ghana’s commitment to repositioning the RMU as a globally competitive maritime training hub capable of producing world-class professionals to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving global maritime industry.
According to him, the sector was undergoing significant transformation driven by automation, digitalisation and the growing global transition towards environmentally sustainable shipping practices.
He stressed that the university must stay ahead of these developments by modernising its training systems, strengthening research capacity and embracing technological innovation.
The minister assured the university that, under his leadership, the Ministry of Transport would pursue strategic partnerships to facilitate access to advanced marine engineering technologies, modern training infrastructure and sustainable research funding.
He also commended the university’s management and faculty for their resilience and commitment to training competent maritime professionals despite the rapidly changing global shipping environment.
The Ag. Vice-Chancellor of the RMU, Dr Jethro W. Brooks Jr, congratulated the graduates on their perseverance and hard work, urging them to remain worthy ambassadors of the university wherever they found themselves.
He, however, outlined a number of challenges confronting the university, including inadequate infrastructure, encroachment on university lands and irregular water supply.
Dr Brooks appealed to member states and the Government of Ghana to support efforts to address these challenges to enable the university to fully deliver on its mandate as the region’s premier maritime training institution.
The ceremony also recognised outstanding staff and students for their academic excellence, dedication and contributions to the growth of the university.
In the staff category, Mr Michael Odai Odiko was named Employee of the Year (Senior Staff – Teaching), while the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Award was presented to Mr Jone Addai-Marfo in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the university’s development over the years.
Among the graduates, Akomaning Patricia Agyeiwaa emerged as the Best Overall Postgraduate Student and also received the award for Best Student in M.A. Ports and Shipping Administration.
Prince Kofi Boamah won the Best Student award in M.Sc. International Shipping and Logistics, while Peprah William Frimpong was adjudged Best Student in M.Sc. Electrical Power Engineering.
Abayateye Desmond was named Best Overall Undergraduate Student and also received the award for Best Student in B.Sc. Nautical Science.
Other undergraduate award winners were Nartey Nelly Afi (B.Sc. Ports and Shipping Administration), Mensah Cecil Niibi (B.Sc. Logistics Management), Okyere Evans Nkrumah (B.Sc. Marine Engineering), Aggey Valentine (B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering), Akpakli Marcellina Awovi (B.Sc. Electrical/Electronic Engineering), Attiogbe Joseph Foli (B.Sc. Computer Engineering) and Osabu-Kle Claude Nii Adjei (B.Sc. Computer Science).
In the diploma category, Adjei Jerry Adjetey was recognised as the Best Student in Marine Engineering, Kwessie Nathan Afful received the award for Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mac-Teye Ericson Kwesi Nartey emerged as the Best Student in Nautical Science, while Amponsah Franca Naana was named Best Student in Ports and Shipping Management.
Several other students also received prizes sponsored by industry partners and alumni, including the Rear Admiral David Animle Memorial Prize in Nautical Science, the J.N. Mante Award for Excellence, the C.N.M. Pappoe Award, the 1958/59 Inaugural Class Alumni Excellence Award, the Abdulai-Saiku Award, the Charkins Maritime & Offshore Safety Centre Prize in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, the Stark Energy Limited Award for Best Graduating B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering Student, and the Hafnia Shipping Company Limited Awards.
Members of the Sierra Leone Committee of Experts were also recognised and honoured for their invaluable contributions to the sustained growth and development of the university over the years.
