News
Ghana missions abroad donate $100,000 to NMIMR … Ghana’s High C’ssioner to India gives 100,880 test kits
Ghana missions abroad have donated an amount of $100,000 to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) to assist in its pioneering role in dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Besides these collective contributions from the Ghana missions abroad, an additional support of 100,880 test kits from Ghana’s High Commissioner to India, Mike Oquaye Jnr was extended to the research institute as a personal donation to help fight the pandemic.
Presenting the donation on behalf of the Ghana missions abroad at a brief ceremony in Accra yesterday, Mr Oquaye Jnr noted that, the vital role of NMIMR in combating the novel coronavirus deserves every support from corporate Ghana.
He added that with government’s strategy to test more people, the resources of NMIMR could deplete at a faster rate and facilities overstretched, hence the need to support the institute to acquire the requisite resources to carry out its mandate to curb the spread of the virus in the country.
Mohammad Habibu Tijani, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Regional Integration, who was present to grace the occasion, expressed joy over the good job being done by NMIMR, and encouraged every Ghanaian to show interest in what they are doing.
He assured of government’s commitment to ensuring that Ghanaians who are stranded abroad, due to the COVCID-19, are brought back to the country.
“We’re working around the clock, and based on the advise of the experts; we’ll open the borders to allow Ghanaians who are caught up outside, due to the pandemic, are brought back. We’ve taken data of those who want to come back and would assure them that, government would do everything possible to ensure that they are brought back safely,” he added.
The Director of NMIMR, Prof. Abraham Kwabena Annan, commended the Ghana missions abroad for the donation, which he said would go a long way to enhance its efforts.
He urged every individual Ghanaian to take the precautionary measures seriously, and adhere to them to avoid further spread of the virus.
“As a nation we have to make sure one person’s infection does not affect the other person, so what we have to do is to respect the preventive measures put in place and that would help reduce the spread,” he added
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
