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Hepatitis Day: Okyeame Kwame Foundation partners NOGUCHI, MDS-Lancet hold free screening
Multiple award-winning Ghanaian musician, Okyeame Kwame in partnership with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), University of Ghana, and MDS-Lancet Laboratories, Ghana on Friday, organised a medical outreach.
The medical outreach programme was in commemoration of the World Hepatitis Day 2024, which was observed on Sunday, July 28. 
As part of activities held at Dome, they offered a complimentary screening for hepatitis B and C, hemoglobin levels, and malaria. For persons who test negative for Hepatitis B, received free vaccination, and they provide counseling and support to individuals who tested positive.
Speaking to the media, Okyeame Kwame said the dream to finish what he started over a decade ago to eradicate hepatitis by 2030 is the reason which has kept him going.
According to him, it even though the prevalent rate remains the same, it is a testament that the situation has not skyrocketed leading to a negative consequence.
He said, it also evident that people have become more aware and are testing leading to discovery of more cases.
Okyeame Kwame charged the public to be more circumspect about their lifestyle choices to prevent the disease from going viral.
The founder of Okyeame Kwame Foundation further called for more collaborations from the public to reach a wider audience with the awareness.
Through the participation in this significant day, they have conducted major hepatitis screening and vaccination exercises at various locations in Accra over the years.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to the Okyeame Kwame Foundation and its partners for such an opportunity.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
