News
KBTH to complete maternity block renovation soon
The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has assured the public that renovation works on the Maternity Block was progressing steadily and would be completed soon.
Dr. Frank Owusu Sekyere, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of KBTH, stated during a media tour of the hospital’s projects on Monday that the renovation, which began in January with a six-month completion timeline, was already 80 per cent finished within just two months.
“The renovation ongoing now started in January, and they had six months to complete, within two months, they have done 80 per cent compared to the last certification assessment.
“If we have been able to do 80 per cent in two months, chances are that within the next two months, we may be able to complete it.
“So, we have no reason to believe that it is going to drop,” he assured, and expressed confidence that the contractor would be able to finish the work within two months.
Dr. Owusu Sekyere and the management of the hospital were touring projects sites to assess the progress of work.
The group also inspected ongoing works on Ward E, Orthopaedic Ward (Ward H), the Oxygen Plant, and the construction site of the KBTH perimeter wall to improve security.
The GH₵3.5 million renovation of the maternity block, which began in January 2025, was aimed at improving patient safety.
The renovation mainly targets the building’s external structure, which had weakened over time with crumbling castings and exposed metal parts.
The work involves dismantling the damaged sections, recasting, plastering, and repainting the entire exterior to restore its appearance, as the building’s structural integrity remains intact.
Dr. Isaac Koranteng, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, explained that the decision to renovate rather than demolish the old structure was influenced by recent economic challenges, including the domestic debt exchange programme.
“Originally, there were plans to construct an 11-story maternity and gynecology complex that would have replaced the current block. “Because of the discussion that we’ve had about the possibility of a new block, it wasn’t in our interest to put money in here when a new one was coming. But now we have realized that we need to concentrate on fortifying this,” he added.
Dr. Koranteng stated that the renovation works would not disrupt healthcare services at the facility, as the internal structures remained operational and in good condition.
“We are still going to take care of the patients. We are still going to carry out all activities because it’s external and the internal is in good condition,” he said.
Dr. Koranteng assured the public that once completed, the renovated facility would showcase an entirely new facade, enhancing the overall appearance of Ghana’s premier teaching hospital.
In response to mounting concerns about the hospital’s elevator functionality across various blocks, he confirmed that three new lifts had been acquired—one each for the Maternity, Surgical, and Medical Blocks. He mentioned that preparations for the installation of the new lifts were progressing smoothly. – GNA
A former Sec ond Lady, Mrs Matilda Amis sah-Arthur, has called for urgent action to bridge literacy gaps among young girls in the country to advance gender equality.
She stressed that improving lit eracy among girls was essential not only for women’s empowerment but also for national development.
“Addressing the literacy gap is not a woman’s issue. It is a nation al necessity and, with the passing of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act, 2024, Ghana is signalling that women belong in leadership, but leadership begins with a book,” she said.
Mrs Amissah-Arthur made the call at an event organised by the Ghana Library Authority (GLA) in Accra yesterday to mark Interna tional Women’s Day (IWD) on the theme: “Her Voice in Libraries: Women Transforming Literacy in Ghana.”
According to her, many girls in Ghana still drop out of school due to poverty, lack of mentorship and limited support systems, warning that without deliberate interven tions some risk becoming part of worrying national statistics.
The former Second Lady encouraged students, particularly girls, to see education not only as a tool for personal advancement but also as a means of empowering future generations.
“Don’t shy away from STEM and ICT subjects. Break into the male-dominated areas and bridge the digital divide,” she added.
Mrs Amissah-Arthur also called for stronger partnerships between men and women in advancing gen der equality, stressing that the issue should be viewed as a national development priority rather than solely a women’s concern.
“Gender equality is not a woman’s issue. It is a development issue. It requires partnership, respect and shared responsibility,” she said.
She further expressed opti mism that with the right support systems, every child, regardless of gender, could achieve their full potential.
In a remark, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Lydia Essuah, said that despite progress made in promoting gender equality in the education sector, challenges remained in ensuring progression, completion and quality learning outcomes for all learners.
She highlighted the important role of libraries in advancing liter acy and lifelong learning skills, and called for increased investment in library infrastructure and services to help build a knowledge-driven society.
The Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority, Alhassan Ziblim Bentintiche, also under scored the importance of libraries in empowering young people, par ticularly girls, with access to books, digital resources and mentorship opportunities.
He disclosed plans to expand Ghana’s library infrastructure and services to particularly attract the youth and promote literacy.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
Management of the Metro Mass Transit Limited has accused the government of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of pursuing what it describes as a “create, loot and share” agenda in the sale of portions of the Opera Square Bus Terminal to a private developer.
The Deputy Managing Director of the company, Haroun Apaw-Wiredu, raised the concerns while speaking to journalists at the Opera Square Bus Terminal in Accra on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
He indicated that the management of Metro Mass Transit would not tolerate any further unauthorized development at the terminal and would take steps to protect the property.
According to him, it would be wrong for a private developer to take control of state property for personal economic gain while the company and the public remain silent.
“How can we sit down and allow a private developer, just for his selfish economic gains, to capture state property for himself? No, we cannot sit down,” he stressed.
Mr Apaw Wiredu called on the public to resist what he described as attempts to take over state assets, adding that such actions would disadvantage ordinary citizens.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we must all stand up. We must all wake up. We must fight this level of brazen looting and attempts to milk the system at the expense of ordinary Ghanaians,” he indicated.
He explained that some individuals had been operating around the terminal for many years and alleged that the developer gained access to the land during the previous administration.
Mr Apaw Wiredu stressed that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the company would pursue all legitimate means to protect the terminal from what he described as unlawful takeover.
He added that management would use every legal avenue available to defend the property and prevent any attempt to take control of the land without proper authorization.
By: Jacob Aggrey
