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
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity after a fire at the Akosombo Substation disrupted power supply.
He said this after visiting the facility on Monday night to assess ongoing repair works following the incident, which affected the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid.
During the visit, he interacted with engineers and technicians who have been working continuously under difficult conditions to restore operations.
He said he was impressed by their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges.
The minister commended the teams for their resilience and sacrifice, noting that their efforts reflect a strong sense of duty and commitment to national service.
He assured them of the government’s full support as they continue with the restoration work.
He also assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to restore stable electricity supply as soon as possible.
By: Jacob Aggrey
