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
![Mr. Atakey [right] inaugurating thr members of the Union. Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mr.-Atakey-right-inaugurating-thr-members-of-the-Union.-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth-400x240.jpg)
![Mr. Atakey [right] inaugurating thr members of the Union. Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mr.-Atakey-right-inaugurating-thr-members-of-the-Union.-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth-80x80.jpg)
BISHOP Dr Richard Owusu Akyeaw, the Founder and General Overseer of Living Grace Ministries, has condemned the growing acts of indiscipline and lawlessness in second cycle institutions.
He called for a collective approach to reverse the trend, saying that discipline triggered academic excellence in achieving life successes.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw made the call when speaking at a durbar of parents, teachers, and students to climax the 15th anniversary celebration of the Standard School of Royals in Sunyani and praised the school authorities for the level of discipline among the students and pupils.
He noted that instilling a sense of discipline would improve academic performance of students and thereby advance academic growth and development in schools.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw said that:
“Excellence isn’t an event, but a habit formed through consistency and self-discipline,”
saying that any disciplined environment fostered confidence, creativity, and love for nation.
He commended the teachers of the school for the dedication in moulding the students and pupils responsibly and urged the school children to remain focused, obedient, and studious.
Mrs Vivian Adu Bonsu, the Proprietress of the School, expressed appreciation to God, management, teachers, and parents for the school’s academic successes.
She said despite some emerging challenges, the school remained committed to achieving its vision of churning out quality and well-behaved and morally upright graduates. –GNA
THE chiefs and people of Ntotroso in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region on Saturday celebrated their Apomasu Yam Festival at Ntotroso amidst pomp and pageantry.
The colourful festival, which featured a week-long activities including traditional cultural rites, was held under the Theme: ‘Mining and Tradition: Building Resilient Communities through Sustainable and Responsible Mining.’
It attracted a lot of guests including chiefs, politicians, businessmen and women, foreigners, school children and members of the public amidst drumming and dancing.
The Apomasu Yam Festival, celebrated biennially, honours the Apomasu deity believed to safeguard the community’s wellbeing.
The festival also served as a fundraiser to support ongoing educational infrastructure projects initiated by the Ntotroso Traditional Council.
Addressing the people, Barima Twereku Ampem III, Paramount chief of Ntotroso, said the Apomasu festival was not merely a celebration of harvest, but signifies a spiritual homecoming as well as a moment of thanksgiving to the Almighty God and to the ancestors for protecting the land, blessing the farms, and sustaining them.
The festival, he noted, symbolises renewal of unity, purpose and collective responsibility to protect the land entrusted to us.
Touching on the menace of illegal mining activities, Barima Twereku Ampem, who is also the president of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, pledged the support of the chiefs and people in the area to complement government’s efforts at finding a lasting solution to the problem.
According to him, illegal mining remains a threat not only to our environment but to national security and long-term development of the country.
He, however, urged the government to ensure strict enforcement of the law, in a fair, consistent and transparent manner so as to deal with the menace.
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, who led the government delegation, commended the chiefs and people of Ntotroso for organising a successful festival.
He praised their commitment to be accountable and transparent in their dealings with the people.
“Most leaders finds it difficult to be accountable to their people. What you have shown here is a demonstration of your commitment to honesty and integrity—a virtue that must be emulated by who aspire to lead,” he stated.
He later donated a cash of Gh₵100,000 to support the celebration.
After more than 300 years of existence, Ntotroso has seen a lot of changes both the social and economic fronts.
From a largely subsistence local economy, Ntotroso and other surrounding communities have now been placed on the global map of gold producing areas following the acquisition of mining concession in 2003 by Newmont Ahafo Mines.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Ntotroso
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