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Chinese business man abondons injured Ghanaian worker?
A chinese business man and Managing Director of King of Lion Wire Mesh Weaving Industries at Medie, Samsam junction, in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Mr. Zhang Yi, is said to have abondoned a severely injured worker to his fate.
After paying the initial hospital bill of GH¢1,000 for the victim, he refused to foot the additional bill of GH¢5,700 to enable him (victim) undergo surgery at the hospital.
The injured worker, Desmond Afanyo, 20, in an interview with “The Spectator” on Monday, said he fell from a dizzying height of the factory on February 16, 2021, on the hard concrete floor while packing finished products, resulting in a fractured left arm.
He said he was rushed to the Nsawam Government Hospital by the company manager, Mr. King Gadzekpo, where he was treated and later referred to the Grace Ville Hospital for surgery but Mr. Zhang Yi refused to pay the GH¢5,700 bill for the surgery to be performed.
The victim, who is an orphan, as he had lost both parents said he was asked by Mr. Zhang Yi to go to the 37 Military Hospital at his own expense and later submit the medical bills for reimbursement.
He said as some one earning only GH¢550 a month from the company, he could never ever afford the cost of surgery and treatment at the 37 Military Hospital so his fractured arm has been left to rot .
When this reporter went to Mr. Zhang Yi on Tuesday to ascertain the veracity of the story, he confirmed, saying that he had done his part and that the failure of Desmond Afanyo to go to the 37 hospital promptly for treatment, meant he was on his own.
But after a lot of engagement with this reporter, Mr. Zhang Yi reluctantly agreed to bear the cost of Desmond Afanyo’s treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.
A Senior Government Labour Officer at the Ministry of Works and Housing confirmed that, Mr. Afanyo made a report to them two weeks ago.
She said Mr. Zhang Yi’s numerous cases of mistreatment of his workers had become a matter of concern to them, adding that, they would do all in their power to seek justice for the affected workers.
She opined that, no Ghanaian businesman or woman working in China would be allowed to treat chinese workers that way by the chinese government.
By Francis Xah
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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