Editorial
Ending the ‘No Bed’ syndrome
Dear Editor,
THE heartbreaking death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah in a hit-and-run accident has exposed once again the failures in our health system.
Even more painful is the fact that his father had previously donated beds to some hospitals, yet when his son needed urgent care, he was moved from one facility to another because there were ‘no beds.’
This is not only tragic but unacceptable. How can a country lose its bright young citizens simply because hospitals cannot provide emergency treatment? The ‘no bed syndrome’ has become a national disgrace, and Charles’ death is a reminder that reforms cannot wait.
Our hospitals must be equipped to handle emergencies, and accountability must be enforced. If donations are made to improve facilities, then those facilities must serve the people when it matters most. Ghana cannot afford to keep losing lives to negligence and poor infrastructure.
Charles Amissah’s death should be the turning point. Let us honor his memory by fixing the system so that no family would suffer this kind of preventable loss again.
Princess Wonovi
Accra
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Dear Editor,
On many streets in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, a growing trend of drug abuse is causing concern among parents, teachers and health workers.
Young people, some as young as 15, are reportedly abusing substances such as tramadol, marijuana, shisha and other dangerous drug mixtures. What may begin as an attempt to “feel high” can develop into addiction and have devastating consequences.
Many young people are introduced to substance abuse through peer influence, sometimes while in Senior High School. Some begin using marijuana or misusing prescription drugs under the mistaken belief that these substances will help them stay awake to study.
Teachers and parents may observe warning signs, including red eyes, unusual sleepiness, sudden aggression or significant changes in behaviour. Some young people may also turn to drugs as a way of coping with unemployment, family difficulties, heartbreak or pressure to make money.
A major concern is the alleged availability of illicit drugs near schools, in some communities and through social media and messaging platforms.
Drug abuse is not simply about “feeling high.” Substance misuse can have serious consequences for physical and mental health and may contribute to anxiety, depression and other health complications. It can also lead to poor academic performance, school dropout, job loss, financial difficulties and involvement in criminal activities.
This fight must involve all of us; it cannot be left to the police alone.
Parents need to maintain open communication with their children, take an interest in their friendships and pay attention to significant changes in behaviour. Most importantly, parents should create an environment in which their children feel comfortable seeking help and sharing their challenges.
Schools, churches and mosques should also intensify education on the dangers of drug abuse. Former addicts and health professionals can be invited to speak to young people and share practical experiences, rather than relying solely on warnings and preaching.
The Government and relevant agencies must also enforce laws against the sale and distribution of illicit drugs while expanding access to affordable prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.
Drug abuse among our youth is a threat to the future of our communities and our country. We must act collectively and urgently to protect young people from addiction and give those already struggling a genuine opportunity to recover.
Richard
Kumasi
By Spectator Reporter
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BREAST cancer is no longer a silent killer spoken about only in whispers, thanks to the annual flood of pink ribbons, walks and corporate events that take place every October.
During a screening event at the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ms Antoinette Kwofie, Chairperson of the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, noted that the volume of breast cancer awareness campaigns was “enormous.”
However, her reminder that “awareness without action is not enough” cuts through the celebrations and highlights a critical challenge.
If Ghana is to significantly reduce breast cancer deaths, the national conversation must go beyond the colour pink and confront the institutional, financial and psychological barriers that can turn a treatable diagnosis into a death sentence.
Significant visibility can easily be mistaken for significant impact. A sea of pink shirts and prominent corporate sponsorships may create a reassuring impression of progress. But awareness is only the beginning of what can be a difficult clinical journey.
A woman does not automatically schedule a mammogram or have her breasts examined simply because she knows that breast cancer exists.
Late-stage presentation remains a major challenge in Ghana. Many women still present with Stage III or Stage IV disease, when treatment options may be limited and outcomes less favourable. For these women, lack of awareness is no longer the main issue; rather, the challenge lies in what happens after they become aware of the disease or notice a possible symptom.
To close the gap between awareness and action, we must address the reasons why women delay screening and early diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis remains highly stigmatised and is often perceived as an immediate death sentence. We need more public counter-narratives that demonstrate that early detection can lead to survival and full, productive lives, as the survivors at the MTN event illustrated.
While educational activities and basic clinical examinations are often offered free during Pink October, the ordinary Ghanaian may not be able to afford the full diagnostic pathway, including ultrasounds, mammograms, biopsies and, eventually, treatment such as chemotherapy or surgery.
Real action requires making these essential diagnostic and staging services more widely accessible and affordable.
Fear and financial constraints also lead some patients to seek herbal medicines, prayer camps or alternative therapies before seeking medical care. By the time they arrive at a health facility, the disease may have progressed considerably.
Clinical leaders such as Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai of Breast Care International, and initiatives such as the event organised by the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, offer an example of what “purposeful pink” should look like.
Rather than merely distributing leaflets, such initiatives provide education and connect women with immediate professional screening and guidance through health institutions, including Ridge Medical Centre and Peace and Love Hospital.
They replace abstract concern with practical healthcare support and navigation.
However, breast cancer does not disappear on November 1. If Ghana is to make meaningful progress in this fight, the spirit of Pink October must be translated into a year-round commitment.
This should include strengthening regular breast health education and clinical examinations within routine primary healthcare services across the country. It also requires sustained community-level education to demystify the disease, challenge harmful misconceptions and encourage women to seek medical attention promptly.
Awareness encourages conversation, but early action can save lives.
It is time to insist that every pink ribbon worn on a lapel is backed by a concrete commitment to making screening accessible, ensuring timely care and making treatment more affordable for every woman.
Only then can awareness truly be translated into action—and lives saved.
By Spectator Reporter
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