News
Elephantiasis still prevalent in eight districts… efforts are made to contain it – Experts
Over 120 million people are infected with Elephantiasis, according to WHO
What started as a painful pinch on the leg of Madam AkuaAbokumaa, 20 years ago has now become a bigger swelling, despite numerous efforts to ease the bulge and the throbbing pain associated with it.
The 69-year-old woman is virtually immobile.
Pain is etched on her face as she struggles to walk around the mud houses in her remote village at Asemko, in the West Ahanta Municipal Assembly close to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the Western Region.
She is among over 120 million people who are infected and 40 million who are disfigured or incapacitated by microscopic larvae and microfilariae, which are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Madam Abokumaa said she had spent thousands of cedis generated from her small subsistence farming to visit hospitals and traditional healers in an attempt to treat the deadly sickness.
But the situation keeps getting worse.
Narrating her sad story to this reporter, she said that most of the traditional healers she visited,after taking money from her as consultation fees, told her that she had been bewitched.
Madam Abokumaa accused some of the healers of making the swelling worse, after making cuts on the leg with a razor blade and covering them with white powder.
She said the treatment rather caused more acute infections that spread to her entire body leaving her bed-bound and feverish.
“I have lost so much and even sold properties to pay the healers, or to get a taxi to the hospital when the pain is unbearable. Now it’s getting worse and my other leg is becoming swollen. It sometimes feels like I might just die,” she said.
Another person suffering a similar fate is 56-year-old John Asmah, who developed the early stages of elephantiasis as an infant. The father of six can no longer work and struggles to pay her children’s secondary school fees, let alone medical bills.
According to him, the loneliness had wanedhis confidence. His family abandoned him when the swelling started in because they saw him as a disabled person.
“I sometimes feel like I’m the only one with this problem, people walking by always laugh at me. Sometimes when I meet a group of people, they just stand there staring at my leg, asking if I’m cursed,” he said.
MrBright Alomatu, the Desk Officer for Lymphatic Filariasis and a biologist of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme (NTDP) of Ghana in an interview said:“Lymphatic filariasis (LF), commonly known as elephantiasis, is a disabling and disfiguring disease where the lymph vessels and nodes are damaged by mosquito parasites and may result in massive lymphoedema.”
He said it was a widespread and major public health problem in many developing countries with warm and humid climates, including Ghana.
He said with the implementation of the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with various support, significant progress had been made towards the elimination of the disease as a public health problem.
He said that out of the 114 hotspot districts, 106 had been contained leaving eight districts namely; Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole in the Savannah Region, Ellembelle in the Western Region, Sunyani West in the Bono Region, Lawra, Wa East and West in Upper West Region and Nabdam in the Upper East Region.
“Those affected with symptoms are left with strangely swilling deformed limbs which had been as a result of several years without treatment, he said.
According to Dr Sylvester Coleman, an entomologist and a lecturer at the Department of Clinical Microbiology of the Kwame NkrumahUniversity of Science and Technology, “elephantiasis is a severe manifestation of lymphatic filariasis, a disease which could also trigger extensive scrotal swelling, or hydrocele, in men.”
It is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and is endemic in 73 countries.
He said the infection was transmitted by mosquitoes carrying tiny, thread-like worms, which nest in and attack a person’s lymphatic system, though many of those infected with the parasite will not present any symptoms.
He warned patients against the use of herbs for treating elephantiasis as well as seeking treatment from traditional healers, but rather visit the nearest health centres.
From Geoffrey Buta, Asemko
The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has called for urgent and decisive action following recent xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians living in South Africa.
In a statement issued in Accra on April 29, the caucus expressed concern about what it described as a growing pattern of violence against foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, in areas such as KwaZulu-Natal, Durban and Gauteng.
The group noted that Ghanaian-owned businesses have been attacked, while some individuals have been harassed and assaulted. It added that, in certain cases, victims have also been denied access to essential services.
According to the statement, claims that foreign nationals are responsible for crime and economic hardship are unfounded and should be rejected.
The caucus referred to the widely circulated assault of a Ghanaian, Emmanuel Asamoah, as an example of the severity of the situation. It also raised concern about reports that some incidents occurred in the presence of law enforcement officers without effective intervention.
The Minority acknowledged steps taken by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, including his engagement with South African authorities and efforts to provide consular support to affected Ghanaians.
It noted the public condemnation of the attacks by President Cyril Ramaphosa, describing these as necessary but not sufficient.
The caucus called on the South African government to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible and to hold security agencies accountable where they fail to act.
It urged authorities to take practical steps to protect foreign nationals across the country.
On the part of Ghana, the Minority urged the government to adopt a stronger and more structured response.
It called for direct engagement between President John Dramani Mahama and President Ramaphosa to secure firm commitments on the safety of Ghanaians.
The statement further recommended increased consular support for citizens in affected areas and called for the issue to be escalated to the African Union for an urgent inquiry into recurring xenophobic attacks.
It urged the government to work with regional partners within ECOWAS to present a unified response.
The Minority suggested that Ghana should seek assurances from South Africa, including confirmed arrests, clear prosecution processes and a plan to protect foreign nationals.
It added that compensation should be considered for victims who have suffered losses.
The statement, signed by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, urged Ghanaians in South Africa to remain cautious and maintain contact with the Ghana High Commission.
It stressed that Ghana must act firmly to protect its citizens and uphold the principles of cooperation and solidarity among African countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Climate Change and Sustainability Ministry backs WiSA International Festival to promote women-led climate action
The Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability has expressed support for the Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA) International Festival, aimed at promoting inclusive climate action and sustainable development across the continent.
In a statement, the Office said it recognises WiSA as an important platform that brings together governments, development partners, the private sector and civil society to drive climate solutions and economic transformation.
The Festival is scheduled to take place on May 1, 2026, at the Cedi Conference Centre from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This year’s event under the theme: Empowering Women For The Economic Sustainability of Africa, will feature, Liu Yaw Nana, Acting Secretary of Ghana-Chinese Business Chamber of Commerce, Issifu Seidu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Dr.Agness Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender Children and Social Protection, Bishop E.O Ansah, General Overseer, Eternal Life Church, President, Women’s Development Association, Turkey, Nilgün Zaimoğlu and Chief of Government Relations and Africa UN Global Compact.
Additionally, it will host, Dr.Charity Binka, Chairperson, Chairperson, African Women Leaders Network , Pearl Opoku, Trader and GUTA National Organiser, Lydia Abbey, Makola Market Queen, actress Juliet Ibrahim, CEO of FZ Global Legacy, Francesca Zoppi, The Revival Founder, Yayra Agbofah and many others.
According to the statement, WiSA’s vision, led by Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, aligns with national and continental goals on climate resilience, green growth and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Office noted that WiSA’s focus on empowering women as key drivers of sustainability and economic productivity is a practical approach to addressing climate challenges and development gaps.
It highlighted WiSA’s track record of engaging global institutions and organising multi-stakeholder events as evidence of its ability to mobilise partnerships and deliver results.
The Ministry said the 2026 Festival presents an opportunity to promote climate-smart investments, green innovation and scalable solutions in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and the circular economy.
It added that the event will also support public-private partnerships and strengthen Africa-led solutions in global sustainability discussions.
As part of its commitment, the Office said it will support policy coordination, facilitate engagement with relevant government agencies, and promote an enabling environment for climate finance and green investments.
It also pledged to contribute to knowledge sharing, technical support and stakeholder mobilisation.
The statement emphasised that investing in initiatives like WiSA is key to driving inclusive economic growth, building resilience and achieving long-term development goals.
It further stressed that empowering women remains central to delivering sustainable and equitable outcomes.
The Office called on organisations to partner with WiSA to support climate action and sustainable development efforts across Africa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
