News
Akatsi South records zero maternal deaths in three years- 66 new HIV cases
The Akatsi South Municipal Health Directorate has revealed that there were zero maternal deaths between the period of 2023 to June 2025.
Antenatal Care (ANC) registrants, however, saw a 63.3 per cent rise from 1,071 in 2024 to 1,236 in 2025 between the period of January to June health performance review window.
In contrast, teenage pregnancy recorded a slight decrease from 161 in 2024 to 152 in 2025 under the review period.
This was disclosed during a half-year health performance review presentation by health officials from the Municipal Health Directorate at the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly Hall.
Under the maternal health services, the year 2023 saw the highest figure of 1,071 skilled deliveries against 1,039 in 2024 and 1,029 in 2025 for the period.
The presentation also revealed that there were 1,039 deliveries in 2024 as compared to 1,029 in 2025 representing 54 and 52.7 per cent respectively.
Concerning HIV testing and counselling, Ms Sefakor Justine Alornyo, the Akatsi South Director of Health, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that their outfit had identified 66 new HIV cases compared to 51 in 2024 with the latest figure showing 45 females and 21 males between January to June.
“All are currently on treatment, including nine pregnant women who tested positive. All HIV positive cases are on treatment including five babies who are put on prophylaxis.
On immunisation, MS Alornyo said all 1,029 deliveries in the municipality were immunised with BCG, Penta, and Measles-Rubella vaccines.
However, a key issue of concern to be addressed by all stakeholders according to Ms. Alornyo, was centered on High Teenage Pregnancy Rates.
“The Akatsi South Municipality continues to record high teenage pregnancy. The year under review recorded a total of 339 teenage pregnancies. Sad as it may be, two girls aged 10-14years were pregnant and 144 teenagers came to deliver of which one was between 10 -14 years of age,” she added. -GNA
News
Declare a state of emergency in parts of the country affected by illegal mining – Coalition Against Galamsey to Mahama
The Coalition Against Galamsey is asking President John Mahama to declare a state of emergency in areas badly affected by illegal mining.
According to the Convenor of the Coalition, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the situation has gone beyond control and requires urgent action to save lives and protect the environment.
He explained that the Constitution allows a state of emergency to be declared when the actions of criminals threaten essential resources such as water, safety, and the survival of communities.
He said illegal miners were destroying water bodies and depriving large communities of clean drinking water, which is an “essential of life.”
Dr. Ashigbey stressed that the call was not for the entire country, but only for parts of Ghana where the destruction is severe.
He added that declaring a state of emergency in these areas will give government the legal power to act quickly and decisively.
He also called on the President to provide clear timelines and targets to guide the fight against galamsey.
This, he said, would help demonstrate government’s seriousness and commitment to ending the menace.
The Coalition insisted that declaring a state of emergency was no longer a last resort but an immediate step needed to save Ghanaians and protect the future of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
The Ghana Bar Association must be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties – Dominic Ayine urges
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to remain non-partisan in the discharge of its duties.
He said the credibility of the legal profession would be at risk if the bar allowed itself to be influenced by political interests.
Speaking at the GBA 2025/ 2026 annual general conference, Dr. Ayine reminded members that their first allegiance was to the Constitution and the Republic, not to any government or opposition party.
He stressed that for over three decades, the GBA had played an important role in helping the Supreme Court interpret and enforce the law, but outside the courtroom, its advocacy had often lacked consistency.
Dr. Ayine pointed to past cases such as the 2015 petition against the former CHRAJ Chairperson, Loretta Lamptey, and the 2017 petition for the removal of Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, where the bar remained silent.
He noted that the association only found its voice during the petition against former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a stance he said coincided with the position of the opposition.
He questioned why the bar acted differently in those situations, especially since all three cases involved women of repute who held positions in key constitutional bodies.
Dr. Ayine urged the GBA to be the conscience of the republic, saying lawyers must defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the rights of citizens regardless of which political party was in power.
He warned against inviting foreign interference in Ghana’s constitutional matters, saying international collaboration should be limited to professional exchanges and not politics.
He further encouraged the GBA to promote integrity among its members, strengthen pro bono services to support the poor, and embrace digital reforms such as e-filing and electronic court records to modernize the justice system.
According to him, the destiny of Ghana is tied to the integrity of the legal profession.
He added that if lawyers stand firm, the country will also stand firm, but if they falter, the republic will stumble.
By: Jacob Aggrey
