News
Chronic Kidney Disease surge among youth
Dr Mensah Amoah
Seventy per cent of people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) cases in Ghana are between the ages of 20-50 years, a Physician Specialist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Dr Mensah Amoah has disclosed.
This, he attributed to uncontrolled hypertension and seconded by CKD of uncertain cause.
Dr Amoah mentioned that abusing drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, herbal medicines could cause the disease.
Also, he said underlying health conditions such as urologic diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and glomerulonephritis could put one at risk of having CKD.
Dr Amoah who is also a Nephrology Fellow at KBTH said this on Tuesday, at a seminar organised by the Level 400 students of the Public Health Nurses’ School in Accra.
The seminar was held on the topic “high rate of kidney diseases, incidence and its implications: a condition of public health concern.”
He said 70 per cent of kidney disease cases were presented at the latter stages, most often at the fourth or fifth stage, adding that majority of the cases of End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) die within the first year after diagnosis due to limited resources to care for such patients.
He said in Ghana, the prevalence rate of CKD at various stages is about 14 to 17 per cent compared to 10 per cent globally, indicating a higher rate than that of the global statistics.
Globally, Dr Amoah said majority of the cases are in the developing countries with limited resources, adding that 850 million people worldwide are living with the disease.
He said the disease kills 2.4 million people globally in a year, making it the sixth fastest growing cause of death worldwide.
Currently, CKD, he said was not curable and its cost of care was high, adding that “it can cause people to need care for the rest of their lives which could lead to emotional and physical distress.”
He said symptoms of the disease include frothy or smoky urine, leg and facial swellings in the mornings and fatigue.
With regard to diagnosis, the Physician Specialist said most facilities have clinicians who can detect kidney diseases and conduct laboratory tests, adding that with treatment, most doctors could administer medications at the early stage to treat and control the risk factors of the disease.
Dr Amoah said the country will risk losing its youth to chronic kidney disease if prevention and early detection and intervention was not a priority.
“For those at the end stage kidney disease who need dialysis, we need to put our hands together as a country to take care of them because the average Ghanaian cannot afford to sustain lifelong dialysis let alone pay for kidney transplantation,” he added.
He called on policy makers to find resources to support about 50 to 70 per cent of treatment to improve and prolong the lifespan of patients.
Dr Amoah also urged Ghanaians to reduce the intake of salt and sugar, consume a lot of fibre, fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and also avoid alcohol and cigarette.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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