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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
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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