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Interior Ministry outlines Achievements in Peace and Security
The Ministry of the Interior, under the leadership of Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has outlined notable strides made in enhancing peace and security in Ghana.
In a statement delivered by the Minister at the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House in Accra, Muntaka Mubarak noted that the Ministry has achieved significant milestones in various areas such as the drastic reduction of curfews in the country from 11 to 5, reflecting improved security and dialogue, and restoring normalcy in previously affected communities.
He added that the Ministry has spearheaded the amendment of the Public Holidays Act to include an extra day for Eid-ul-Fitr and restore July 1 as a national holiday, promoting inclusivity and historical recognition.
He disclosed that the Ministry has commenced the digitalization of 16 core functions, including permit and license services, to streamline workflows, reduce delays, and enhance public access.
This move, he said, is expected to improve transparency and accountability, and provide better services to the public.
According to him, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ministry has cleared and repatriated 2,241 street beggars to their respective countries, restoring public order while supporting vulnerable populations.
He added that the Ministry has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Youth Development for Security Agency Internships, enhancing youth employability while supporting security agency operations.
In addition, the Ministry will soon sign an MoU with Ministry of Education to enable the Prisons Service to produce 20% of sanitary pads for the Free Sanitary Pad initiative by Government.
The Minister also noted that the Ghana Police Service has made notable achievements, including sustained anti-illegal mining operations, establishment of a 24-Hour Economy Secretariat, and breakthroughs in major cases, adding that the Service has also conducted high-impact, intelligence-led anti-robbery operations across all regions, achieving significant results.
Touching on prison reform, the Minister stated that the Ghana Prisons Service has implemented juvenile and secondary education initiatives, supporting education continuity for juveniles and inmates and that the Damongo Correctional Facility has also been completed, expanding correctional infrastructure and reducing overcrowding.
He added that the Service has also launched a digital literacy program, equipping inmates, officers, and dependents with digital skills.
On Government’s efforts to combat drugs, he said the Narcotics Control Commission has intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking and promote public health.
The Commission, he added, has seized 192kg of cocaine, 90kg of cannabis, and 17.9kg of gold bars, disrupting major trafficking operations.
On disaster management, he said the National Disaster Management Organisation has enhanced disaster preparedness and response, protecting lives and livelihoods, noting that the Organisation has responded to 332 emergencies, conducted field assessments, and provided relief to 11,524 disaster victims.
He commended the National Identification Authority for registering over 18 million Ghanaians, clearing 600,000 registration backlogs, and launching Prestige Registration Services.
He noted that the Authority has also installed security systems, enhancing physical and cyber security infrastructure.
Muntaka Mubarak assured the good people of Ghana that the Ministry of the Interior remains committed to ensuring peace and security and that the Ministry will continue to work tirelessly to promote peace and security and to address the needs of the Ghanaian people.
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
