News
COVID-19 cases drain cases of Effia Nkwanta Hospital
The Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region is using its internally generated funds (IGF) to monitor COVID-19 patients who are quarantined or self-isolated in their respective homes.
This move has resulted in a big drain in the hospital’s coffers.
The Medical Director, Dr. Joseph Yambil disclosed this to our reporter who visisted the hospital to find out some of the challenges confronting the staff who are the frontline workers in the fight against the deadly Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), and the number of cases so far recorded.
He said the fuelling of vehicles at the health facility to enable the nurse to travel and check on the patients was becoming too much because the Regional Hospital depended on its internally generated funds (IGF) to monitor these patients.
The Medical Director has ,therefore, appealed to benevolent institutions, Non- Governmental Organisations into health and the COVID-19 Fund to assist ENRH to continue to fight the pandemic.
He said that the hospital last year had to refer very severe cases to Accra but managed the less severe cases at home.
He lauded GIZ, a German organisation which came to assist the hospital at the Communicable Disease Unit (CDU) referred to as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which made it possible for the hospital to admit COVID-19 cases in the later part of 2020.
Dr. Tambil disclosed that the OPD from January to March this year recorded 314 COVID-19 cases out of a total of 372 cases reported at the hospital.
He gave the breakdown as follows : January 136 cases, February 102 and March 76 cases at the OPD.
He said the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where COVID-19 patients were admitted also recorded 22 cases in January, February 20 and March 16 cases thus bringing the total COVID-19 cases recorded between January and March to 372.
He said the OPD cases were people on self-isolation or those who had quarantined themselves at their various homes but were religiously monitored by the health officials
He said the second wave saw the numbers going up in early January 2021 where the CDU admitted 22 patients, lost three and discharged 19 while 20 patients were recorded at the ICU and five lost their lives.
He said as of March 22, 2021, 16 patients were admitted and two died adding “no case has been referred to Accra this time round except a corporate client whose company requested for a transfer to South Africa where the mother company is”.
Dr Tambil said the hospital’s biggest challenge was how to get enough resources to manage the ICU as patients had to be fed well round the clock and that since they started admitting COVID-19 patients no pesewa had been given to support the fight against the disease.
The Medical Director said the internally generated funds and other finances were far stretched as such corporate institutions should support the health facility in terms of PPEs, consumables and other medications.
Photo 0071 shows Dr Joseph Tambil, Medical Director of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital.
From Peter Gbambila, Effia Nkwanta
In a world where fathers are increasingly consumed by work and the pursuit of financial security, Bishop Michael Quartey, the Regional Overseer of the Perez Chapel International, has urged fathers to prioritise spending quality time with their children.
This, he said makes them develop trust, love and sense of security in building confident responsible adults.
Bishop Michael Quartey made this known in an interview with The Spectator ahead of the Father’s Day celebration tomorrow.
He noted that while many fathers are providing the financial needs of their families, children also require emotional support, guidance and quality time from their fathers.
“A lot of children are engaged in a lot of negative things just because of the absence of their fathers and it is about time we sit up.”
Bishop Quartey explained that fatherhood goes beyond meeting financial obligations and involves being physically and emotionally present in the lives of their children.
“Fathers serve as role models whose actions and decisions often influence the values and attitudes of their children” he disclosed.
He also elaborated that regular communication, participation in school activities and involvement in children’s daily life could significantly strengthen family bonds and contribute to the overall well –being of the children.
He added that though the modern day fathers are doing so well, we need to continue to change the narrative by putting in extra effort in the upbringing of our children.
“Being a father is a great joy and it is very necessary for fathers to be celebrated because they go through a lot,” he indicated.
Mr Quartey used the opportunity to encourage all fathers to continue doing their best and pray for their children as well.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
A new cultural, trade, and diplomatic platform celebrating Ghana-Norway ties was launched on Saturday, June 13, at Palms by Eagles Hotel, Accra.
Dubbed the ‘Akwaaba Nsuo & Velkommen Fjord Durbar 2026’, the event draws on the symbolism of Ghana’s rivers, -Nsuo, and Norway’s fjords to highlight water as a shared cultural, economic, and environmental identity.
The three-day event is scheduled for July 31 – August 2, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. Activities will include a trade exhibition, durbar of chiefs, and B2B networking sessions.
Speaking at the launch, CEO of the Durbar, Kofi Mulan, said Ghana’s rivers like the Volta, Pra, and Ankobra have long sustained livelihoods through fishing, transport, and spirituality.
“Similarly, Norway’s fjords represent the cornerstone of its maritime heritage, global leadership in ocean industries, and environmental stewardship,” Mr Mulan added.
“These parallel relationships with water form the philosophical and thematic spine of the entire event. The Akwaaba Nsuo & Velkommen Fjord Durbar 2026 is therefore framed as a convergence of heritage and innovation,” he said.
Organisers say participants will benefit from Global visibility and cultural diplomacy in Europe, stronger ties with Norway, and increased market access for exports like fashion, crafts, agribusiness, and processed goods under AfCFTA frameworks on the Ghana side.
On the Norway side, they noted access to Norwegian expertise in maritime technology, aquaculture, and renewable energy, plus opportunities in fisheries, offshore energy, and sustainability projects.
The Durbar is positioned as a high-level exchange platform to deepen trade and diplomatic relations between Ghana and Norway.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
