News
Know sickle cell status before marriage
Marriage decisions can be the key to reducing Ghana’s alarming sickle cell disease rates, according to Professor Alex Osei Akoto, Principal Investigator of the Patient-centred Approaches to Care and Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease (PACTS) in sub-Saharan Africa.
He has, therefore, urged the youth to strive to know their sickle cell status before getting married, given the fact that 2 per cent of all newborns in Ghana are diagnosed with sickle cell disease.
“When two individuals with the sickle cell trait (AS) marry, they face a 25 per cent chance of having a child with the full disease (SS) with each pregnancy. When people are aware of their status, they can make informed decisions about their partners. This isn’t about restricting people’s choices but empowering them with knowledge that can affect generations to come,” Prof. Akoto explained.
He spoke to The Spectator during a stakeholder meeting to discuss a study conducted across six hospitals in the Kumasi metropolitan area on how best to treat and manage the disease.
Prof. Akoto noted that people in sub-Saharan Africa were the largest carriers of the disease as “the gene emanates from black Africa.”
But early detection, he stressed, was key for interventions and reiterated the call for all to know their status.
Prof. Akoto urged clinicians to stick to protocols in the treatment of the disease, stressing the importance “to adhere strictly to established guidelines to ensure optimal care for sickle cell patients.”
The study conducted at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), KNUST, Manhyia, Asokwa, Kumasi South, and Kumasi Metro Hospitals, found that some clinicians were not following standard care protocol.
Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a pediatrician and specialist in sickle cell treatment associated with the project, highlighted their innovative approach.
“We are using a unique approach of harnessing the involvement of both patients, families, community, and clinicians to look at how best to treat and manage the disease,” said Dr Osei-Tutu.
He further indicated that one of the most promising developments during the study involved pharmaceutical adaptations for younger patients/children.
Dr Osei-Tutu also emphasised that the interventions depended critically on early detection. Without timely diagnosis, even the most innovative treatments lose much of their efficacy.
“We’re trying to improve the lives of patients by improving what we do at the hospitals. This improvement extends beyond medical procedures to encompass family support systems, community awareness, and patient education,” explained Dr Osei-Tutu.
The project recently brought together key stakeholders from across the healthcare spectrum to deliberate on optimising treatment protocols.
This collaborative approach represents a shift in how genetic diseases are managed in Ghana, moving from a purely medical model to a more integrated social-medical framework.
Despite these promising developments, significant challenges remain in Ghana’s fight against sickle cell disease.
Limited resources, geographical barriers to healthcare access, stigmatisation, and low awareness continue to hamper efforts to reduce the disease burden.
As Ghana continues to address the high prevalence of sickle cell disease, experts emphasised that knowledge remains the most powerful tool in this fight.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
A leading member of the newly rebranded United Party, also known as UP, Hopeson Adorye, has called on Ghanaians who feel dejected or oppressed in politics to join the new party, describing it as a better political home for all.
He made these remarks at the launch and rebranding of the Movement for Change into the United Party (UP) at the Coconut Grove Hotel in Accra on Thursday, October 16.
Mr. Adorye explained that the party was fully ready to serve as an alternative political force to address Ghana’s challenges.
He noted that the UP leadership was focused and determined to change the country’s political structure and bring meaningful transformation.
He stated that the party’s vision was to build a united Ghana, stressing that without unity, the nation could not make real progress.
According to him, the mission of the UP was to create a prosperous country where every citizen could provide for themselves and their families.
Mr. Adorye emphasised that the new party was not formed to destroy any existing political organization but to contest and win elections to bring about the needed change.
He expressed confidence that many Ghanaians from different political backgrounds, including those dissatisfied with their current parties, would join UP+ because of its values and inclusive ideology.
He added that the party was building its structures from the grassroots and hoped to complete them by the end of the year as part of efforts to strengthen its national presence.
The Founder of the United Party (UP), Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, also addressed the gathering and reflected on the transformation of the Movement for Change into the UP+.
He explained that the rebranding marked a new phase of political renewal, symbolized by the monarch butterfly in the party’s logo, which represents transformation, resilience, and endurance.
Mr. Kyerematen noted that the colors of the party yellow, black, and white stood for Ghana’s gold resources, the black star of Africa, and purity, respectively.
He stated that the UP stands for ethical leadership, integrity, and unity, adding that many of its members entered politics to serve the nation, not for personal gain.
He revealed that the party’s Great Transformational Plan (GTP), which has received global recognition, would guide the UP+ government when elected.
“The plan is designed to stabilize the economy, reduce the national debt, and promote industrial growth through ten strategic anchor industries” he added.
He explained that the health policy would emphasize preventive care, community-based services, and the inclusion of traditional and herbal medicine, which many Ghanaians rely on.
Mr. Kyerematen further stated that the UP would promote a strong Pan African agenda, explaining that Ghana’s prosperity must be tied to the wellbeing of the entire continent.
He noted that the party believes in Ghana first, and its policies were anchored on uniting the country and restoring hope in national development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed to the rank and file of the party to rally behind him as he prepares to lead the party in the 2028 elections.
Addressing delegates in Sene East during his campaign tour, he highlighted key contributions to the party.
He revealed that at the behest of former president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he left his job at the Bank of Ghana to work for the NPP.
According to him, many asked him to rescind the decision. However, because of his loyalty to the party, he resigned from the bank to be their running mate.
He added that at the African Development Bank, he resigned in 2012 just to serve the party at the highest level.
“I defended the party in 2012. We lost, but I stayed in Ghana to put pressure on John Dramani Mahama and the NDC,” he added.
He is therefore urging the party to choose continuity and to back his leadership.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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