News
Half of infertility cases traceable to men — Dr.Edem Hiadzi
A more credible medical source has asked men not to put the blame of childlessness wholly on the door steps of women.
Men should also bear part of the blame.
“About half of the causes of infertility are due to or include male factors and infertility is one of the commonest conditions affecting reproductive age group between 20 and 45 years,”
Dr. Edem K. Hiadzi, a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist at the Lister Hospital and Family Centre in Accra brought these to the fore at a Merck Media Training for Journalists in Asia and Africa via video conference.
He said that there had been unjustifiable condemnation of women who were unable to conceive stressing that women alone should not be blamed but men could also be contributive factor to the problem.
Dr. Hiadzi who is the President of the Fertility Society of Ghana (FERSOG) pointed out that infertility had been a major cause of marital problems in Africa, and had exposed women to ostracisation, social discrimination as well as physical violence.
He revealed that in Sub-Saharan Africa male factor causes of infertility constituted 40 per cent, while that of female causes of infertility also constituted 40 per cent, with 15 percent being male and female factors and the remaining five per cent being inexplicable factors.
He said fertility was a shared responsibility and ,therefore, it was important for men to equally get tested with their wives when there was a delay in childbirth.
Dr. Hiadzi said it was unfortunate that, due to lack of knowledge, some women had to carry the burden as the main cause of childlessness of a couple when in fact, the man was the cause and stated that it was important for men to support their wives by getting tested with them.
Giving tips on how to avoid infertility, he advised men to avoid high temperatures as this could affect sperm production and motility temporary.
He mentioned riding motorbikes, hot tubs and steam baths as some of the activities which should be avoided but men should instead resort to showers, wear loose pants, limit their alcohol intake, refrain from drugs and smoking.
He noted that viral infections like mumps may also affect the testes leading to infertility, and gave other causes in the male infertility as previous hernia repair which may accidentally damage the vast deferens and varicose which may also lead to low sperm count.
Dr. Hiadzi further advised men to seek early medical treatment for sexually transmitted diseases especially gonorrhoea and chlamydia which he said, accounted for a significant proportion of cases.
“These infections cause chronic epididymitis and occlusion of the vast deferens leading to oligospermia (low sperm count) and azoospermia (no sperms in semen)” he disclosed, and
encouraged the media to highlight the need for childless couples to seek help and also for society to stop stigmatising them.
News
President John Dramani Mahama to kick off 2025/26 Premier League season in Accra
The 2025/26 Premier League will officially kick off on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama, performing the ceremonial kick-off ahead of the season opener between Accra Hearts of Oak and league debutants Hohoe United.
President Mahama will be joined by Football Association President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, members of the Executive Council and football fans from across the capital as the curtain rises on what promises to be one of the most exciting campaigns in recent years.
Giants Hearts of Oak will open their quest for a league title when they take on newly promoted Hohoe United under the floodlights of the Accra Sports Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm local time (19:00 GMT).
The Phobians, bolstered by new signings and a strong pre-season campaign, are eager to end a four-year run without an opening-day victory, while United will be aiming to make a statement in their first-ever top-flight match.
Before the main fixture, there will be a curtain-raiser between the Black Starlets (Ghana U-17) and Auroras FC, the youth side of Hearts of Oak, at 4:00 pm local time.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, top Afro-dancehall and reggae musician Stonebwoy (Livingstone Etse Satekla) will deliver a live performance at the venue, ensuring fans enjoy not only football but also top-class entertainment on opening night.
This season is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with traditional heavyweights, ambitious newcomers and revitalized clubs all targeting glory. From title races to survival battles, fans are set for months of excitement, drama and unforgettable moments.
News
GES opens promotion applications for teaching staff
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has invited applications from qualified teachers and officers for promotion to higher ranks within the service.
In a notice signed by the Acting Deputy Director-General for Management Services, Prof. Smile Dzisi, the GES said the ranks available are Deputy Director, Assistant Director I, Assistant Director II and Principal Superintendent.
According to the statement, applicants must meet the minimum years of service required for each position.
Teachers seeking promotion to Deputy Director must have been promoted to Assistant Director I in or before 2021.
Similarly, those applying for Assistant Director I should have held the rank of Assistant Director II since 2021 or earlier.
Applicants for Assistant Director II must have been Principal Superintendents from 2021 or earlier, while those applying for Principal Superintendent must have been Senior Superintendent I since 2021 or before.
The GES stated that teachers with approved Master’s or PhD degrees may use their certificates to apply for promotion out of turn if the qualifications meet set conditions.
These include completing an approved course of study and obtaining the certificate after their previous promotion but not later than 2023.
Applicants are to complete the online application form and upload all required documents in PDF format, except for the passport-size photograph.
The application window runs from Thursday, September 11, to Thursday, October 2, 2025. The GES urged all applicants who had applied earlier to re-apply.
By: Jacob Aggrey
