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CSM: another killer disease that must be tackled
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Ghana reported its first two cases of the novel Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) on March 12, 2020. The cases relating to this pandemic were confirmed when two people returned from Norway and Turkey respectively.
Since then, the number of COVID-19 cases confirmed by the Ministry of Health, continue to increase by the day.
As of Wednesday, May 20 2020, Ghana’s number of confirmed cases had risen to 7,616 with 34 confirmed deaths with 2,421 recoveries.
According to official report from the Ministry of Health, out of the 7,616 confirmed cases, 60 percent of the number were males and 40 percent of the number being females.
Out of the 16 regions in Ghana, it was only the Ahafo Region which had not recorded any case at the time.
Although the country has been overwhelmed with the number of COVID-19 cases, some parts of the country are battling not only this pandemic but also another serious disease that threatens the very livelihood of the people.
Unfortunately, Ghanaians in the northern part of the country are battling the Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM).
The bacteria are transmitted from one person to another through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions, close and prolonged contacts.
Thus sneezing and coughing without covering your mouth or nose spread this disease: Kissing as well spreads this disease.
These modes of contact help to spread the disease very fast. These contacts are known to be a sure way to increase the spread of the disease.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) is an infection of meninges, the thin lining surrounding the brain and the spinal cord.
It is proven that the average incubation period of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) is four days which only infects humans.
Stiff neck, severe headache, high fever, seizures, vomiting, no or less appetite among others are symptoms of the virus as explained suggested by WHO.
The bacteria are hyper endemic in the northern areas of the sub-Saharan Africa where the people get infected during the dry season; due to dusty winds and upper respiratory tract infections as a result of cold nights.
Seven people out of 21 positive cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in the Upper East Region have died as a result of the disease.
However, the Upper West Region has recorded about 45 deaths out of about 315 confirmed cases of the disease in the region. This is a highly contagious infection that affects young, adults and teenagers..
Even though COVID-19 is a global pandemic which has gained the attention of the government, Cerebrospinal Meningitis as a disease is causing more harm to a section of the citizens but happens to get less attention from the government.
Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM ) is killing more people just like COVID-19 in Ghana. It is disturbing that Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) has not been tackled effectively due to financial constraints.
However, this same financial constraint seems not to be an issue for government in dealing with the COVID-19 disease.
According to health experts, an infected person by the Cerebrospinal Meningitis can be treated through vaccination; unlike the COVID-19 where the world, including Ghana, is awaiting a vaccine to treat it.
Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) has been in existence since 1959 in the Northern sector of Ghana till date.
Medical experts have explained that government can help increase immunisation coverage in order to help stop the spread of CSM.
Government needs to pay more attention in tackling this disease by setting up a fund where money will be allocated for the treatment of CSM.
Also, more health practitioners should be trained in the northern parts of Ghana where the disease is endemic.
Loretta Yebowaa Hayford
Student, Ghana Institute of Journalism
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
