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Beyond morning sickness: The unexpected reality of pre-eclampsia
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As a pregnant woman, every kick and twitch of the growing baby is a precious milestone, coupled with full expectations of holding the newborn in their arms at the end of their gestation.
For some women, their anticipation, joy, and hope are clouded by the threat of pre-eclampsia, a condition that can turn a dream pregnancy into a nightmare.
Pre-eclampsia
It is a disease characterised by high blood pressure and damage to many organs, such as the liver and kidney.
It is regarded as a silent predator that strikes without warning and could have devastating consequences for both the expectant mother and the foetus.
Despite its severity, it remains a misunderstood condition.
Pre-eclampsia has no regard for the age, health, or background of any pregnant woman and affects thousands of women worldwide.
It sets in after the 20th week of gestation in women who may have had normal blood pressure earlier. It can be present in the normal, moderate, or severe range.
‘A mother’s strength,
overcoming pre-eclampsia’
Mrs Adjoa Arthur is a 39-year-old trader in Ashaiman-Zenu and has three children: two boys and a girl.
She said her first pregnancy was without complications, but the last baby, Crystal Arthur’s pregnancy changed her dreams and almost turned them into nightmares.
Mrs Arthur recounted that she began having slight headaches, double vision, and easily fatigued symptoms, which she considered normal as every pregnancy comes with different experiences.
The symptoms spiked like a thunderstorm, and she started having blurry vision, severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting, among others.
“I gained weight abnormally; my face got swollen; I couldn’t breathe well; it became severe; I was panting for air; there was a time I almost died if not for the swift intervention of my husband.”
She added that she was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia on her 22nd week of gestation: “I was shocked because everything was normal; I never saw myself in that situation; the first pregnancy was smooth; I even thought it was spiritual.”
To save the baby and mother, she was induced to give birth in the 37th week of pregnancy. The baby was delivered more than 24 hours after the inducement.
“When I saw the baby, although I was weak, the joy I felt was immeasurable; it was a miracle. I thanked God for his goodness, and my husband was in tears,” Mrs Arthur narrated with joy.
Today my baby is thriving, a vibrant reminder of hope, courage, and thankfulness to God Almighty.
Pre-eclampsia can be dangerous and life-threatening by causing complications such as eclampsia, placenta abruption, foetal growth restriction, kidney and liver damage, low birth weight.
The cause of pre-eclampsia is not known; however, risk factors include expecting multiple babies, a previous history of pre-eclampsia, family history, and having a body mass index above 35.
While herbs may have health benefits, pre-eclampsia is a serious medical condition that requires evidence-based medical treatment. The use of herbs without medical treatment may lead to further serious complications.
Dr Akosua Agyeiwaa Owusu-Sarpong, the Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Services, said the region recorded 170 maternal deaths, of which 30 per cent were due to pre-eclampsia.
She said this during the launch of the 2024 world pre-eclampsia day at the Shai-Osudoku District Hospital, stating that pre-eclampsia in Sub-Saharan Africa occurs among about 13 per cent of all pregnant women.
Conclusion
Pre-eclampsia can lead to devastating consequences for the woman, baby, and even the family if not prevented and handled properly.
Pregnant women have therefore been urged by health experts to seek immediate treatment from health facilities and not desist from taking other non-prescribed medications. –GNA
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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