News
Ignore allegations against former Regional Minister — NPP youth
A section of the youth belonging to the New Patriotic Party in the Daffiama-Bussiue-Issa (DBI) Constituency of the Upper West Region have called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to disregard and reject calls from a fraction of the youth in the area to deny the former Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, political appointment in his second term in office as president of the Republic.
The youth in a speech read by Mr Awiliba Naafiw Bazaanye at Issa on Tuesday said that the minister was unfairly opposed by some ‘selfish’ factions within the party and had suffered false allegations irrespective of his hard work and noble service to the region.
This reaction stemmed from series of news conferences by a section of the youth in the Wa Central, Lawra and DBI Constituencies respectively opposing a possible reappointment of Dr Salih as the Regional Minister.
At some of the news conference, the minister was accused of ‘selfishness and disregard for party functionaries as well as masterminding the defeat of some parliamentary candidates’ of the party in the region.
In response to the allegations, Mr Bazaanye refuted allegations levelled against the former minister and described him as a unifier as well as a development-oriented individual who had the progress of the region at heart and worked assiduously to ensure the region developed.
“The said conferences against the former regional minister was borne out of malice, hatred and envy and certainly without substance”, he stated.
He intimated that Dr salih was instrumental in the campaign for the parliamentary candidate of the area, Mr Nadi Imoro Sanda and personally supported the numerous campaigns of the candidate by canvassing votes for him and the President.
“Unfortunately, Mr Sanda did not win the contest; but the former minister must not be blamed for the defeat”, he said.
He called on President Akufo-Addo to ignore such ‘greed-incited’ allegations and make his appointment based on his expertise as a President of the republic adding that the youth of the party were ready to support whoever was appointed into office as the minister.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, ISSA
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
