News
Health experts call for lifestyle changes
Ghana joined the world on May 17 to observe World Hypertension Day on the theme; “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control it, Live Longer.”
The theme reminds all individuals to check to know their blood pressure regularly and to keep it under control to impact overall longevity.
In Ghana, approximately 3.7 million Ghanaians aged 18 to 69 years have hypertension with 1.9 million unaware of their status, with risk factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, driving prevalence rate.
Health experts advise that lifestyle changes particularly with regard to dietary choices could have far-reaching impact on managing one’s blood pressure.
Below are five best foods Ghanaians can eat to control hypertension as recommended by Meatless Monday Ghana, a campaign that seeks to promote healthy eating, reduce disease risk and protect the environment.
Fruits
Fruits rich in potassium like bananas and fresh coconuts are beneficial for blood pressure management. Berries, like blueberries are known for their nitric oxide content and can also help lower pressure.
Again, fruits containing folate, such as limes, oranges, and grapefruits can help increase blood pressure in individuals with low blood pressure while other fruits with potential benefits for hypertension control are watermelon, tomatoes, avocado, and papaya or pawpaw.
Research, funded by British Heart Foundation, has suggested beetroot juice, a concentrated source of nitrates might help lower blood pressure.
Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables like cocoyam leaves, commonly known as Kontomire, Cassava leaves, Gboma, Spinach and Moringa provide a rich source of potassium, magnesium and folate and other relevant nutrients, which can help lower blood pressure.
Wholegrains
Wholegrains such as maize or corn, millet, brown rice, sorghum and oats which contain more nutrients and fiber than refined starchy carbs like white bread, pasta and polished rice.
Eating more fibre has been linked to a lower risk of heart and circulatory diseases while soluble fiber from oats may help in lowering blood pressure.
Lean Protein
Meatless Monday advised Ghanaians to revert to lean protein sources such as chicken, fish, eggs, and beans, which are helpful in lowering weight and blood pressure.
Fortified Plant-based Milk
It said fortified plant-based milk like almond, soy, and oat milk can offer around 240 mg of calcium per cup, which has high levels of calcium strongly linked to reduction of blood pressure.
Similarly, low-fat dairy like semi-skimmed milk and low-fat natural yogurt also give calcium and protein without excess saturated fat.
Meatless Monday campaign believes that diet is not the only factor in reducing blood pressure. It stressed the need for all hypertensive patients to take prescribed medicines and consider being more physically active; stop smoking; and maintaining a healthy weight.
By Abigail Annoh
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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