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Infertility can cause mental disorders -Psychiatrist

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Dr Emefa Dzordzorme
A Resident Psychiatrist at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Emefa Adzo Dzordzorme, has identified infertility as one of the contributory factors to mental disorders among childless couples, particularly women.
According to her, the psychological issues and challenges childless women experience can be worsened by derogatory comments and stigma.
Dr Dzordzorme said this at a training programme for Health Journalists organised by the Merck Foundation in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
The media training forms part of a community awareness programme by Merck Foundation in partnership with Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, who is an ambassador of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign.
Infertility is defined as trying to get pregnant with frequent unprotected sex for at least a year without success.
According to her, women mostly suffer the brunt of childlessness although the problem could be from both husband and wife or one of them.
She said in most Ghanaian societies, childless women were often mocked at gatherings such as workplaces, churches, family gatherings, and other social events, which has the tendency to compound already existing psychological issues affecting them.
She stated that issues of infertility could cause mental distress and make people have low self-esteem as they internalise some of the expectations of society, which could trigger depressive episodes.
“Infertility does not cause mental illness, but it contributes to the development and maintenance of a mental illness,” Dr Dzordzorme said.
She encouraged people suffering from infertility to seek help from specialists to help them deal with the biological issues as well as social and psychological.
Dr Dzordzorme advised individuals not to suffer alone since help was available, saying, “Whether you are going through infertility stigma, or mental health challenges, there are specialised practitioners available to help.”
She also urged the public to walk into the Accra Psychiatric Hospital and any of the regional hospitals and mental health units in the districts to seek help.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey




