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Don’t abandon cancer treatment, complement it with prayers …Rev. Prof. Kyei urges patients
A radiotherapist, Reverend Prof. Kofi Adesi Kyei, has asked breast cancer patients not to pause treatment and stressed the need to complement medical care with prayers. Prof. Kyei, who is the Chief Radiotherapist at the National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, said many Ghanaian patients struggle to balance their religious beliefs with medical advice, especially after diagnosis.
Rev. Prof. Kyei, who has also been treating cancer patients for over 20 years, noted that in the African context, spirituality is deeply woven into everyday life, strongly influencing how people respond to illness. “Every African believes in some form of spirituality. It is a strong component of who we are,” he said.
He explained that some patients immediately associate cancer with death, prompting them to turn first to God and pastors. Additionally, he cited scenarios where patients abandon treatment and go for prayers, only to return with severe conditions.
While acknowledging the importance of prayer, he cautioned that it must not lead patients to abandon or delay treatment. “Some will pray and still come for treatment, and that is fine, but pausing treatment to rely solely on spiritual intervention can worsen the condition,” he warned.
He encouraged patients to integrate their faith with their medical journey while taking responsibility for their health. “Prayer is complementary. You can pray and have your treatment,” he noted.
Moreover, Rev. Prof. Kyei, who is again the Head of the Department, Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, acknowledged the financial challenges associated with cancer care, describing treatment as expensive for many Ghanaian households.
He urged government to put stronger systems in place to support cancer treatment, saying such measures would be of immense help to patients and families.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The New Times Corporation (NTC) on Monday held its annual thanksgiving service, bringing together staff and management to reflect on the past year, express gratitude, and renew their commitment to the organisation’s growth.
At the service, the Deputy Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and a Board Member of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Madam Charity Binka, called for strong and intentional collaboration among staff, emphasising that unity and teamwork were crucial to transforming the corporation during its challenging times.
“This is a time to break silos, share ideas and work together as one team with a shared vision,” she said, adding that innovation and digital transformation must be embraced to secure NTC’s future.
Madam Binka expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the corporation and its employees despite financial and operational difficulties.
“Though the journey has not been smooth, God has sustained us. We are here today because of His grace,” she indicated, acknowledging the resilience and dedication of staff who have kept The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator among the country’s most respected newspapers.
Quoting Jeremiah 29:11, she encouraged staff to remain hopeful and confident that brighter days lie ahead.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. John Akorli of Word Divine International Ministry at Sukura, Accra, cautioned staff against excessive talking and gossip, warning that careless speech could create unnecessary problems.
Rev. Akorli further reminded staff that their identity should not be defined by past mistakes, family background, or negative labels.
He encouraged them to live confidently, depend on God’s guidance, and remain focused on their responsibilities, noting that spiritual awareness and discipline were essential to personal and organisational growth.
The service ended with prayers for unity, renewal, and a prosperous new chapter for the New Times Corporation.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Catholic Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese, Bishop Joseph Afrifa Agyekum, has expressed concern over the rising rate of divorce in the country, attributing the trend largely to inadequate knowledge about marriage and misplaced expectations of couples.
He said many marriages were collapsing because couples entered into the union without a clear understanding of the responsibilities, sacrifices and commitments that marriage demands.
The Bishop raised the concern while addressing congregants at the 50th anniversary of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church at Madina on Sunday.
According to him, marriage was increasingly being viewed through unrealistic lenses shaped by social media, peer pressure and material expectations, rather than mutual respect, patience and shared values.
“Many people go into marriage with expectations that are not grounded in reality. When those expectations are not met, conflict sets in and eventually leads to separation or divorce,” he observed.
The Bishop noted that some couples lacked proper preparation before marriage, adding that pre-marital counselling was often treated as a formality rather than an opportunity to gain deeper insight into marital life.
He stressed the need for churches, families and society to intensify education on marriage, particularly among the youth, to help them make informed decisions before entering into marital unions.
The Bishop also urged married couples to embrace dialogue, forgiveness and understanding, saying disagreements were inevitable but could be resolved through patience and commitment.
He urged couples experiencing challenges to seek counselling instead of resorting to separation, emphasising that strong families remained the foundation of a stable and progressive society.
By Kennedy Afedzi
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