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
The state has closed its case in the Republic v Akonta Mining and two others.
The case was heard earlier today at the Accra Criminal Court, where state prosecutors and CID investigators from the Ghana Police Service closed the Republic’s case.
In all, the prosecution called three witnesses to prove its case, two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a detective from the Ghana Police Service.
According to an update on the case, the two former employees testified to Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako’s deep involvement in Akonta Mining Company’s alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The police detective tendered in evidence drone footage and other audio-visual materials and official communications in support of the testimonies of the two former Akonta Mining employees.
The accused persons, through cross-examination of the witnesses, sought to dissociate themselves from every mining activity in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court to allow him to call the first prosecution witness back into the witness box for further cross-examination.
The court gave him up to Friday, October 30, to file a formal motion to recall the witnesses.
The case has been adjourned to November 4 for the motion to be heard.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
