News
Cancer cases among teachers on the rise …GNAT raises concern
Christian Adinkra, a Board Member of the Cancer Foundation
The increasing cases of cancer patients in the country, particularly among teachers, has become a major concern for the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT).
Officials of GNAT are worried about the increasing number of its members suffering from cancer, as data at the GNAT Cancer Foundation (GCF) revealed that GNAT cancer patients at the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre is 2,666 out of which 2,388 are in active service and 278 are retirees.
A Board Member of GCF and Madina-Adenta-Abokobi District GNAT Chairman, Mr Christian Adinkra, who made this known during an education programme in Ho on the devastating effects of cancer, stressed the need for regular screening for early detection and treatment.
According to Mr Adinkra, cancer cases were on the increase among teachers and with depletion of funds, there is the need to prioritise preventive education, treatment, and management sustainability.
He said currently, members of GNAT contribute GH¢5 a month to the Cancer Fund, which he observed was not sufficient in view of the increasing cost of treatment and management of cancer.
Mr Adinkra announced that in the Volta Region, the cases of cancer have shot up among teachers in the Ho District, Akatsi-North and the Hohoe Municipality.
“This should be a matter of concern to all. Regular screening remains the only solution to address the challenge,” he added.
The Chairperson of the Ho District of GNAT, which comprises of the Ho Municipality, Adaklu District, Agortime-Ziope District and the Ho-West District,
Ms Lois Tipong-Asare explained that teachers willingly visit the district office in Ho, to inform the office that they have cancer for the necessary support, which he attributed to regular education on the disease.
Ms Tipong-Asare explained that the beneficiaries of GCF are teachers and their spouses, two children under the age of 18 years and teachers who went on retirement from 2022.
She said as a result of regular education on the disturbing effects of cancer, many teachers and non-teachers were willingly checking their status through regular screening.
Ms Tipong-Asare said screening for cancer was not only meant for women but men as well because some men also suffer from breast cancer, and added that men during screening for cancer could be diagnosed with prostate cancer for early treatment.
From Samuel Agbewode, Ho
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
