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‘Don’t withhold information on children from doctors’
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A Paediatrician and the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) of babychildandco, Dr. Seyram Wordui has advised parents not to keep quiet but ask questions when they visit a Paediatrician with their children to seek medical care.
“At the end of the consultation, ask what your child’s diagnosis is. Then you can research on it if you would like to, or so that you could understand your role in helping your child to recover, including follow-ups” she said.
In an interview with The Spectator about what parents should do when they visited hospitals to ensure they got the best of treatment, Dr. Wordui said that asking questions was an opportunity to learn about the child’s body and what to expect from it.
She said it was also important for parents to be truthful with the Paediatrician and give the right information as this was critical in arriving at the right diagnosis”.
She said “withholding information out of fear or because a parent feels when he or she gives details that would seemingly amount to irresponsibility was wrong and could be dangerous.
The Paediatrician said that, for instance, if a parent had started some medications on his or her child’s symptoms before going to the hospital, it was important to tell the doctor and even bring the drugs along with any additional information such as doses.
“Imagine being prescribed the same medication you have at home just because the doctor did not know, or the intervention in a situation of accidental poisoning being delayed because the doctor did not know what the poison was”, she said.
Dr. Wordui stated that parents must make it a priority to be part of the examination of their children by fully concentrating on activities in the consulting room without distractions.
“Watch as the doctor examines your child and ask if he or she has found anything interesting. If your child has a chronic illness you should ask if there are any simple examination techniques you should learn” she advised.
She said for instance if a child had sickle cell disease, there was the need for a parent to learn how to feel for the spleen “so ask your child’s doctor to show you how”.
She said good record keeping of a child’s health information was key to the development of a child and, therefore, parents must always ensure they went to the hospital with the child’s record book especially when the child was younger.
She said the record book has information such as his or her immunisations and growth over time, it may also have information about pregnancy and delivery of the mother which are necessary for the child’s Paediatrician to come to an accurate conclusion of his or her health.
“You could take the opportunity to ask for explanation of anything in it that you do not understand,” she said.
Dr. Wordui said visiting a Paediatrician was one of those things a parent would have to do and should not be “an anxiety-provoking exercise”.
She gave an assurance that the doctors were not there to judge parents but to help in ensuring the good health of their children and so they should always give them the right and relevant information.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
