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GJA executives call on The Spectator Editor
The National Executives of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) last Thursday paid a courtesy call on the Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N. M Quaittoo in Accra.
The meeting discussed the welfare of journalists and ways to improve their living conditions and challenges facing major media houses including the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times newspapers.
The president of the GJA, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, hinted that the executives of the association will meet the President, John Dramani Mahama, to discuss a few matters in the media industry.
According to Mr Dwumfour, at an earlier engagement with the President, he demonstrated his commitment to improve the living conditions of journalists and ensure that state-owned media houses were well-equipped.
“So we have come here to know at first hand some of your challenges in terms of production, attrition rate, and the form of support you need from the government,” he said.
He said it was common knowledge that, in recent times a lot of the corporation’s staff had resigned while others are furthering their education.
He indicated that the challenges facing the state-owned-media houses were common after touring the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and Graphic Communications Group.
Mr Dwumfour asked the Editors of the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator to present a paper on challenges confronting the corporation and support needed from government “to bring the corporation back to life.”
Responding, Mrs Quaittoo said the challenges affecting the corporation were numerous, saying, for over 30 years, the corporation had not received any support from governments.
She explained that the corporation pays itself, saying “if we don’t generate enough revenue then workers salary will delay.
Mrs Quaittoo also said retooling the corporation is also a major challenge.
She said due to the challenges confronting the corporation, most of the staff have resigned leaving the newsrooms virtually empty, while some subscribers are also not paying on time.
Present at the meeting were the GJA Vice President, Linda Asante Agyei; General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah; Public Relations Officer Rebecca Ekpe; Organising Secretary Dominic Hlordzi and Treasurer Audrey Dekalu.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
News
Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
