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GHS urges public to stay safe during approaching harmattan season
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is asking the public to take precautions as the country enters the dry harmattan season.
Although some parts of the country have experienced recent rains, the Service noted that the harmattan period is fast approaching and can pose serious health risks.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director-General, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the GHS explained that the weather affects almost every part of the body, making it important for people to stay alert and protect themselves.
The Service warned that the harmattan season often leads to dry skin, cracked lips, dehydration, and an increased risk of respiratory infections because of rising dust levels. Eye irritation and infections also become common during this period.
The statement further noted that Ghana lies within Africa’s “meningitis belt,” which means the risk of meningitis is higher during the dry season.
To stay healthy, the GHS encouraged the public to moisturise their skin with oil-based products such as shea butter, drink plenty of water, and eat water-rich foods like fruits and soups.
It also urged people to wear face masks in dusty areas and advised individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions to limit outdoor activities.
The Service recommended the use of sunglasses or protective glasses to shield the eyes from dust, regular hand washing, and avoiding touching the face. Anyone who feels unwell was asked to visit the nearest health facility immediately.
The Ministry of Health and the GHS assured the public of their commitment to protecting the wellbeing of all Ghanaians throughout the harmattan season.
By: Jacob Aggrey
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
