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
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced the commencement of enforcement of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523), warning institutions that fail to comply with the new requirements of possible fines of up to 2,000 penalty units.
The Authority says it will deploy a Biometric Verification Implementation Task Force to inspect institutions and ensure they comply with the regulations, following the expiration of a three-month grace period granted to businesses and public institutions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, November 2, 2026, the NIA’s Corporate Affairs representative, William Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, said the Authority had completed its public education and stakeholder engagement activities and was now moving into the enforcement and compliance monitoring phase.
He explained that the regulations require institutions that verify the identities of customers or applicants as part of their operations to use the NIA’s approved biometric verification platform instead of relying solely on visual inspection of the Ghana Card.
Under the new rules, institutions are prohibited from photocopying, scanning or keeping copies of the Ghana Card for identity verification purposes.
Mr Darlas stressed that simply collecting a customer’s Ghana Card, looking at the photograph and comparing it with the person presenting it would no longer be accepted as a valid method of identity verification.
He, however, clarified that the Ghana Card remains the country’s official national identity document and that citizens are not required to register for a new card or capture their biometrics again under the new regulations.
He said the new system is intended to reduce identity fraud, impersonation and other crimes by ensuring that the person presenting the Ghana Card is the actual owner.
According to him, the biometric verification process will rely on information already captured during Ghana Card registration, including fingerprints, iris details and facial features stored in the card’s chip.
Mr Darlas warned institutions against using third-party companies or individuals to access the NIA’s identity verification platform, insisting that the Authority does not work with intermediaries.
He said institutions seeking access to the National Identity Register must deal directly with the NIA and complete its official onboarding process.
The process requires institutions to prove that they are legally registered companies in Ghana, obtain certification from the Data Protection Commission and work with the NIA’s technical team to establish the necessary connection to its platform.
He further cautioned institutions already connected to the platform against subletting their access to other businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
He disclosed that the Authority had received reports of some institutions providing their verification services to other businesses without the NIA’s approval and warned that those involved would face legal action.
Mr Darlas said organisations that fail to comply with L.I. 2523 could face fines ranging from 500 to 2,000 penalty units, depending on the nature of the offence.
He explained that the NIA does not have the authority to impose the fines directly but would take offenders to court for the appropriate punishment.
He indicated that Institutions found guilty could also face additional administrative measures, including being barred from accessing the NIA’s verification platform in the future.
The NIA representative further clarified that the new regulations do not prohibit all institutions from physically using the Ghana Card during transactions.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited, Nana Kwesi Boatey, has revealed how he transformed a major overstaffing challenge into a success story through the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, November 2, Mr. Boatey disclosed that when he assumed office in February 2025, and inherited a bloated workforce of 250 employees doing work that could be efficiently handled by 150 people, a situation that created serious liquidity challenges for the state-owned company.
Instead of resorting to downsizing, he adopted an innovative approach by instituting a 24-hour operational system.
Under the new system, staff were redistributed across three shifts: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.
This not only ensured optimal use of labour but also maximized machine utilization and improved overall output.
According to him, the single move redefined the productivity culture within the company, reinforcing discipline, accountability, and efficiency.
The Ghana Publishing Company’s turnaround is being cited as a practical example of how the 24-Hour Economy policy can drive growth without job losses.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
