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
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opened applications for members interested in contesting as its parliamentary candidates in the 2028 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the party said interested members must declare their intention to contest between Sunday, November 1, and Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
According to the statement signed by the party’s Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, prospective candidates must complete an online form within the specified period.
The party said a non-refundable application fee of GH¢5,000 would be charged to each prospective candidate.
It added that all applicants would undergo vetting and screening to determine their eligibility to contest on the party’s ticket.
The NPP announced plans to organise capacity-building workshops for prospective candidates in December 2026. The workshops will be held across the Northern, Middle and Southern zones, with details of the venues to be announced later.
The party stressed that the guidelines would apply to all prospective candidates, including sitting NPP Members of Parliament who wish to contest again.
It further warned aspirants against starting campaign activities following the opening of the application process.
According to the statement, the existing directive prohibiting campaign activities remains in force until the party gives official clearance.
It cautioned that anyone who violates the directive would face appropriate sanctions under the party’s constitution and regulations.
The NPP said the process was designed to promote fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all aspirants as it prepares to select candidates for all 276 constituencies ahead of the 2028 elections.
It urged prospective candidates to follow the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and respect for one another throughout the process.
The party said its broader objective was to strengthen unity within its ranks and rebuild public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
eputy Foreign Minister accompanies Veep to Shanghai to champion Global South reform, industrial drive
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, accompanied Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on a successful working visit to Shanghai, China, from 15th to 19th October 2026, at the invitation of the East China Normal University (ECNU).
The highlight of the visit was the 2026 Global South Academic Forum held on 17th October, which brought together over 200 scholars, policymakers, political party leaders and media professionals from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, under the theme “Global South Political Parties: Governance and Modernisation.”
In her keynote address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang asserted that political independence is only truly the beginning, stating that “winning political power and governing effectively are related but not the same responsibility.” She called for stronger South-South cooperation, multilateralism and reform of the global financial architecture to end debt traps, ensure fair risk assessments and promote climate policies that respect different national circumstances.
On 18th October, she addressed a business forum with Chinese investors, linking Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy policy to industrialization. Warning that training youth without factories creates unemployment, she appealed for factories to be established in Ghana to serve the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market, with priority on value addition in cocoa processing, shea butter, cashew, coconut and timber.
On October 19, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, hosted a dinner at the Shangri-La for the Vice-President, attended by members of the Ghanaian community and business leaders, who praised the thorough preparation by the Ghana Embassy staff for the visit.
Throughout the trip, Mr. Quayson coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align the engagements with Ghana’s jobs and transformation agenda.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
