News
Guard against disease outbreaks, reptile invasion as rains set in-GHS
As dark clouds gather and the rains begin to fall across the country, health authorities are urging Ghanaians to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their families from disease outbreaks commonly associated with the rainy season.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS), through the Ministry of Health, has issued a public health alert, warning that the onset of the rains, particularly after prolonged dry spells, could lead to an increase in waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases.
According to a statement signed by the Director-General of the GHS, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery were likely to surge during this period as rainwater may carry contaminated waste into water sources used by communities.
For many residents, especially those living in flood-prone areas, the warning serves as a reminder of the health challenges that often accompany the rainy season.
Beyond contaminated water, the GHS noted that vegetables cultivated near water bodies could also become contaminated, posing additional health risks to consumers.
“The rains also create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever. Stagnant water collected in discarded cans, old vehicle tyres and other containers has been identified as a major source of mosquito breeding,” it warned.
Health experts are, therefore, encouraging households to keep their surroundings clean by removing objects that can collect water and by clearing bushes around homes.
The service further advised the public to ensure that food was thoroughly cooked before consumption and to wash fruits and vegetables properly with clean water and salt or vinegar.
The service also urged residents to buy food only from hygienic and reputable sources and maintain regular hand washing with soap under running water, particularly before handling food.
Food vendors, who play a critical role in public health, were also reminded to adhere strictly to food safety practices and advised them to source ingredients from approved suppliers.
The statement also highlighted another often-overlooked consequence of heavy rains and flooding, which is the increased movement of reptiles into residential areas.
Floodwaters, the GHS explained, can force reptiles out of their natural habitats and into human settlements in search of dry ground.
Residents have, therefore, been advised to keep doors and windows closed where possible, raise belongings off the floor and eliminate potential hiding places around their homes.
Professor Akoriyea stressed that safeguarding public health during the rainy season requires collective responsibility.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced the commencement of enforcement of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523), warning institutions that fail to comply with the new requirements of possible fines of up to 2,000 penalty units.
The Authority says it will deploy a Biometric Verification Implementation Task Force to inspect institutions and ensure they comply with the regulations, following the expiration of a three-month grace period granted to businesses and public institutions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, November 2, 2026, the NIA’s Corporate Affairs representative, William Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, said the Authority had completed its public education and stakeholder engagement activities and was now moving into the enforcement and compliance monitoring phase.
He explained that the regulations require institutions that verify the identities of customers or applicants as part of their operations to use the NIA’s approved biometric verification platform instead of relying solely on visual inspection of the Ghana Card.
Under the new rules, institutions are prohibited from photocopying, scanning or keeping copies of the Ghana Card for identity verification purposes.
Mr Darlas stressed that simply collecting a customer’s Ghana Card, looking at the photograph and comparing it with the person presenting it would no longer be accepted as a valid method of identity verification.
He, however, clarified that the Ghana Card remains the country’s official national identity document and that citizens are not required to register for a new card or capture their biometrics again under the new regulations.
He said the new system is intended to reduce identity fraud, impersonation and other crimes by ensuring that the person presenting the Ghana Card is the actual owner.
According to him, the biometric verification process will rely on information already captured during Ghana Card registration, including fingerprints, iris details and facial features stored in the card’s chip.
Mr Darlas warned institutions against using third-party companies or individuals to access the NIA’s identity verification platform, insisting that the Authority does not work with intermediaries.
He said institutions seeking access to the National Identity Register must deal directly with the NIA and complete its official onboarding process.
The process requires institutions to prove that they are legally registered companies in Ghana, obtain certification from the Data Protection Commission and work with the NIA’s technical team to establish the necessary connection to its platform.
He further cautioned institutions already connected to the platform against subletting their access to other businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
He disclosed that the Authority had received reports of some institutions providing their verification services to other businesses without the NIA’s approval and warned that those involved would face legal action.
Mr Darlas said organisations that fail to comply with L.I. 2523 could face fines ranging from 500 to 2,000 penalty units, depending on the nature of the offence.
He explained that the NIA does not have the authority to impose the fines directly but would take offenders to court for the appropriate punishment.
He indicated that Institutions found guilty could also face additional administrative measures, including being barred from accessing the NIA’s verification platform in the future.
The NIA representative further clarified that the new regulations do not prohibit all institutions from physically using the Ghana Card during transactions.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited, Nana Kwesi Boatey, has revealed how he transformed a major overstaffing challenge into a success story through the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, November 2, Mr. Boatey disclosed that when he assumed office in February 2025, and inherited a bloated workforce of 250 employees doing work that could be efficiently handled by 150 people, a situation that created serious liquidity challenges for the state-owned company.
Instead of resorting to downsizing, he adopted an innovative approach by instituting a 24-hour operational system.
Under the new system, staff were redistributed across three shifts: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.
This not only ensured optimal use of labour but also maximized machine utilization and improved overall output.
According to him, the single move redefined the productivity culture within the company, reinforcing discipline, accountability, and efficiency.
The Ghana Publishing Company’s turnaround is being cited as a practical example of how the 24-Hour Economy policy can drive growth without job losses.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
