News
‘Let children read from books, not digital devices’
Parents have been urged to encourage their children to read from books instead of digital devices to protect their eyes.
This, according to the Country Director of Cure Blindness Project, Dr James Addy, was because exposure of children to digital devices for extended periods puts them at risk of developing eye problems, since prolonged screen time affects eye development, potentially causing vision disorders.
“Parents should implement the World Health Organisation recommendation of zero screen time for children under two years and limited screen time for those above three years. Children’s eyes are sensitive, and prolonged exposure to digital devices can have devastating consequences,” he emphasised.
This came to light in an interview with The Spectator on eye health in Accra on Monday.
Dr Addy explained that excessive screen time can lead to eye strain, dryness, and increased risk of cataracts and refractive errors.
Dr Addy noted that eye problems have become prevalent in Ghana, particularly among children with access to eye care in rural areas limited, exacerbating the issue,” he said.
He recommended regular eye screening, especially in schools and communities, to identify potential issues early because “Early detection and intervention can significantly improve treatment outcomes,” Dr Addy stated.
In Dr Addy view, parents must prioritise personal interactions with children, limiting screen time and encouraging outdoor play while Pre-schools and Daycare Centers should promote toys and outdoor activities over screens.
Globally, over 500,000 people go blind every year, with a prevalence of 0.3 to 1.2 per thousand children. In Ghana, the prevalence is approximately 0.9 per cent, with 44.4 per cent of children requiring refractive services, primarily due to myopia.
The Ghana Blindness and Visual Impairment Study (2015) reported 230,000 people blind in Ghana, including children and adults.
Dr Addy attributed the rising refractive errors among children to lifestyle changes and reduced outdoor activity. “Increased screen time from phones, tablets, computers, and televisions is a significant contributor,” he added.
Consequences of refractive errors include eye strain, blurred vision, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and impaired vision. This can affect education, economic potential, and overall well-being.
Common signs of eye problems in children include squinting, frequent rubbing of the eyes, difficulty focusing on distance objects, and headaches.
Dr Addy recommended regular eye checks, at least once a year, and encouraged parents to prioritise eye health.
To address screen time, Dr Addy advised parents to adopt the 20-20-2 rule which requires that after every 20 minutes, one should look away from the screen and walk around for 2 minutes.
The primary harm from digital tools comes from the distance and light emission. “Prolonged focus on a screen exhausts eye muscles, leading to pain and potential long-term damage,” Dr Addy explained.
By Richmond Angel Mensah
News
Oxfam in Ghana donates medical equipment and essential drugs worth GH¢1.5 million to Kasoa Polyclinic
Oxfam in Ghana has donated medical equipment and essential drugs worth about GH¢1.5 million to the Kasoa Polyclinic to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services in the municipality.
The presentation, which took place on Tuesday, June 24, 2026, at the premises of the clinic in Kasoa, formed part of the sustainability and legacy activities under the Power to Choose (P2C) Project.
The donated items included delivery beds, maternity beds, oxygen cylinders, neonatal resuscitation equipment, blood pressure monitors, newborn weighing scales, suction machines, delivery kits, essential medicines, medical theatre wear and other critical supplies to support quality healthcare delivery.
The Power to Choose Project is a seven-year initiative being implemented by Oxfam in Ghana in partnership with the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), WiLDAF Ghana, SEND Ghana, Norsaac and PARDA, with funding from Global Affairs Canada through Oxfam Quebec.
The project seeks to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people, particularly adolescent girls, young women and young men living in vulnerable and marginalised conditions.
Addressing nurses and management of the hospital, the Country Director for Oxfam in Ghana, Mohammed-Anwar Sadat Adam, said the project, which began in 2021 and will run until early 2028, is being implemented in seven countries across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
He said Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the two African countries benefiting from the project.
Mr. Adam noted that the project has already trained about 102 health workers in areas including youth-friendly services, emergency obstetric and neonatal care, family planning, gender-based violence response, respectful maternity care and inclusive healthcare delivery.
He said Oxfam and its partners conducted assessments at beneficiary facilities and identified equipment needs to help improve healthcare delivery.
According to him, the donation would create safe spaces where young women and girls could seek healthcare services without fear or stigma and would improve health outcomes in the community.
Mr. Adam thanked the Government of Canada, the Ghana Health Service, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Ghana (SOGOG), World Health Ghana and other partners for supporting the implementation of the project.
He urged the beneficiary facilities to ensure that the equipment is properly used and maintained to serve the community for many years.
A speech by the Municipal Health Director for Awutu Senya East, Dr. Stanley Kweku Yaidoo, which was read on his behalf by the Municipal Accountant, Rev. Dr. Askari Thomas, described the donation as timely and important.
He said quality healthcare delivery depends on manpower, financial resources and equipment, adding that healthcare workers cannot effectively deliver services without the necessary tools.
Dr. Yaidoo thanked Oxfam and its partners for selecting Kasoa as one of the beneficiary facilities and assured them that the equipment would be put to good use.
The Acting Medical Superintendent of Kasoa Polyclinic, Dr. Papa Kojo Arthur, expressed appreciation to Oxfam for its continuous support over the years through training and capacity building.
He said the equipment would greatly support the effective management of patients, particularly in maternal and child healthcare.
According to him, the donation would help reduce maternal and perinatal mortality in the municipality.
The donation formed part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of youth-friendly health facilities in eight implementing districts across five regions of Ghana to continue providing quality and accessible sexual and reproductive healthcare services beyond the lifespan of the project.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) has announced that an electronic copy of Ghana’s revised National Cultural Policy is now available online for free access by the public and stakeholders in the creative sector.
In a statement issued on June 22, the ministry said the revised policy was officially launched on June 9, 2026, at the National Theatre of Ghana in Accra.
According to the ministry, the decision to upload the document on its official website is aimed at ensuring widespread dissemination, increasing public awareness and promoting the effective implementation of the policy.
The ministry encouraged sector practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public to visit its website and read the document.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, in the spirit of the Black Star Experience, remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and collaborative approach to building the better Ghana we want,” the statement said.
It added that it looks forward to the active participation of stakeholders in implementing the policy for the benefit of the country.
The ministry urged the public to take advantage of the free access to the policy document and familiarise themselves with its contents.
By: Jacob Aggrey
