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ECOWAS Gender Development Centre commits US$245,000 to Ghana’s Obstetric Fistula project
Madam Fattoh (right)presenting the cheque to Dr Awinubonu (right)
The ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) has committed US$245,000 to support Ghana’s Obstetric Fistula Elimination Programme.
At a ceremony in Accra to launch the 2024 edition of the EGDC’s Obstetric Fistula Programme, a dummy cheque was presented to representatives of the Ministries of Health and Gender, Children and Social Protection.
Madam Sandra Oulate Fattoh, Director EGDC who made the presentation reiterated the Centre’s unwavering support to member states to improve the overall wellbeing of women and girls.
She said the launch of the 2024 edition of the Obstetric Fistula Programme, an initiative of her outfit reaffirmed commitment to the health and dignity of women in Ghana and across West Africa.
Dr Ignatius Awinubonu, who represented Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, Ghana’s Health Minister, noted that Obstetric Fistula remained one of the most challenging Health issues faced women in sub-Saharan Africa.
The burden of this condition is particularly severe in rural and underserved areas, where access to quality maternal healthcare was often limited.
He mentioned Prevention, Treatment and Re-integration as the key areas of the Ghana Obstetric Fistula Prevention and Management Strategic Plan (GOFPMSP) which served as a blueprint guiding national efforts to combat the disease.
He noted that rehabilitation of the Tamale Fistula Centre was a key component of the ongoing efforts to be retooled to provide comprehensive care for patients.
While the Strategic Plan for the Elimination Programme had made remarkable success, much remained to be done, and these include scaling up community outreach programmes.
Dr Gabriel Ganyaglo, Chair of the National Fistula Task Force Team, described the EGDC support as important because it was meant for infrastructure upgrade, which was critical in the National strategic plan.
According to him, most of the funding went into surgeries and treatment of patients, adding that this was a major fund for infrastructure. These funds will go directly into expanding the Tamale Fistula Centre, to provide an additional theatre with complimentary equipment and additional beds to become a comprehensive regional centre of excellence.
He hoped that through the collaborative efforts of the health ministry and development partners, Fistula repair would be accessible to ensure that no woman suffered the debilitating effects of Obstetric Fistula.
Madam Fidelia Anku and Deborah Nkansah, Fistula survivors narrated their painful ordeal in getting treatment until they received free surgeries and treatment from the National Fistula Task Force due to support of the EGDC.- GNA
The family of Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, a distinguished statesman and diplomat, has paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama. They officially informed him of his passing.
The delegation, representing the Gbeho family, noted that it was culturally and diplomatically important to formally notify the President of the loss before making a public announcement of his death.
Ambassador Gbeho was a towering figure in Ghanaian and international politics. He served in many diplomatic missions, including New York. He was Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, a Member of Parliament for the Anlo constituency, and President (formerly Executive Secretary) of the ECOWAS Commission.
He was widely respected for his role in regional integration and his contributions to global diplomacy at the United Nations.
President Mahama expressed his condolences and shared reflections on Ambassador Gbeho’s contributions to the country, West Africa and the world.
Funeral details will be announced later.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has revoked all firearm permits in Ghana with immediate effect and announced a new registration process for all gun owners.
The minister made the announcement on Tuesday, June 23, at the information service department saying all individuals who currently hold licences to own firearms or sidearms must undergo a fresh registration process.
“From this afternoon, all permits that have been granted to any individual that you are holding a sidearm or firearm is hereby revoked,” Mr Muntaka said.
He explained that the government had identified gaps in the country’s firearm registration system and needed to introduce stricter measures to improve public safety.
“We are opening the window where everyone will have to come forward again to register or re-register the gun because we’ve changed the procedure,” he stated.
According to him, the government decided not to wait until the end of the year to make the changes because lives could still be saved within the next six months.
The Interior Minister said one of the new requirements would be mandatory mental health screening for applicants seeking firearm licences.
“We’ve seen that people with mental health have already gone through and have the sidearm. Now we are introducing mental health. Before we give you the sidearm, we have to be sure that you have the mental stability to hold the firearms,” he said.
Mr Muntaka also announced that applicants would be required to undergo drug tests before being granted licences.
“We’ve also realised that people who are on drugs are also holding their arms and they are legitimate because it’s been registered. Now you have to go through drug tests to be sure that you are not on drugs before you can hold sidearms,” he added.
The minister said the new measures form part of efforts by the government to tighten firearm control and prevent legally registered weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
He urged all firearm owners to cooperate with the new registration process once details of the exercise are announced.
By: Jacob Aggrey
