News
Eight medical doctors graduate from Accra College of Medicine
• The overall best female student Nana Afua Boma Owusu-Sekyere (right) receiving
her award from Prof Afua Adwo Jectey Hesse. Photo. Vincent Dzatse
A Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, has called on medical students or young doctors to take interest in affairs of this country.
Referencing CP Snow’s “Two Cultures”, Prof Nii Boi Tagoe cited that scientists had left public affairs too much in the hands of those in the Arts or Humanities.
“I urge that we balance this equation with more of us with a scientific turn of mind. I would, therefore, ask all of you young doctors to take a healthy interest in the public affairs of this country. In my considered view, that is the only way we can rescue our country from lopsided development, or more appropriately, decline,” he cautioned.
The former VC was addressing some medical students of the Accra College of Medicine (ACM), during its 3rd Congregation ceremony held in Accra last Saturday.
He, therefore, informed the students that their spirit of selflessness would be taxed, considering the present economic situation; expensive rate of drugs, laboratory investigations and medical treatments.
He again noted that the development in public affairs of the country, did have serious implications for medical practice and it was his hope, that when the students’ spirit of Heart-Power was called for, they wouldn’t be found wanting.
“You are entering the profession and, indeed, the world of work at a very difficult time not only in the country, but the world as a whole. Therefore, bear in mind, that the world judges a society as civilised, depending on how that society treats its poor and vulnerable class,” he said.
Prof Nii Boi Tagoe tasked them to be open and honest in their course of practice since things could go wrong unexpectedly.
“There is so much litigation going on. You get sued whether you took a particular decision or not. Get your procedures right, remember your standard operating procedures, document everything honestly and openly and make sure you apply your knowledge for good always, “ he advised.
Giving a valedictorian speech on behalf of the students, Nana Afua Boma Owusu – Sekyere forewarned her colleagues to keep their shortcomings in mind since medicine is a noble profession.
Graduating students who performed exceptionally well in their academics were honoured as well as some lecturers.
Nana Owusu – Sekyere and Joshua Osei – Bonsu, both received five awards including Accra Medical Centre’s Overall Best Female and Male Students respectively. The other students were also awarded as well.
Present at the ceremony was the Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School, Prof Alfred Edwin Yawson, representing the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana as well as other distinguished guests.
The ceremony was on the theme, “Building Resilience in Medical Education Post COVID-19.”
News
Police arrest two suspects for possession of suspected narcotic substance at Ayi Mensah
The Ghana Police Service has arrested two suspects for possession of eleven (11) large compressed sacks of a substance suspected to be narcotics at Ayi Mensah in the Greater Accra Region.
The suspects, Mathew Narkotey and Augustine Teye, were arrested by a team from the National Operations Department (NOD) on June 7, 2025 during routine patrols. The suspects were onboard a Mazda pick-up truck with registration number GT 3490-P when a search uncovered the suspected narcotic substance concealed in the vehicle.
The vehicle and the suspected substances have been impounded and are currently secured at the Joint Operations Centre for evidential purposes.
Both suspects are in police custody assisting with investigations, while efforts are underway to arrest one Martey, named by the suspects as the intended recipient of the consignment.
News
‘Thousands of Ghanaian women suffering from Obstetric Fistula’
Thousands of Ghanaian women continue to suffer in silence from Obstetric Fistula (OF) due to inadequate access to surgical treatment, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed.
Dr Wilfred Ochan, UNFPA’s Country Representative, disclosed that over the past decade, Ghana has accumulated a backlog of more than 12,000 untreated cases, despite recording an estimated 1,300 new cases each year.
He made the remarks during a visit to the New Times Corporation (NTC) in Accra to mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF).
“Only 1,000 repairs have been done in 10 years. That leaves thousands of women isolated, in pain, and excluded from society due to a condition that is both preventable and treatable,” Dr Ochan said.
He stressed the need for greater investment in surgical capacity, public awareness, and partnership, especially with the private sector— to accelerate Ghana’s efforts to eliminate the condition by 2030.
Obstetric Fistula results from prolonged or obstructed labour without timely medical care, causing a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum, leading to continuous leakage of urine or faeces. The consequences include stigma, chronic incontinence, and often, the death of the baby.
To help close the treatment gap, the UNFPA is working with health institutions including the Komfo Anokye and Cape Coast Teaching hospitals to scale up surgeries and outreach.
“We must not allow women to suffer lifelong trauma for simply trying to give life,” Dr Ochan urged.
The Managing Director, Mr Martin Adu-Owusu, pledged NTC’s support in raising public awareness and promoting maternal health initiatives.
“We are ready to collaborate with you to ensure that maternal deaths and issues affecting women come down to the barest minimum so that together we can achieve the UN goal to eliminating Obstetric Fistula by 2030,” he said
By Esinam Jemima Esinam
