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Media urged to champion free, universal healthcare agenda
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The Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has urged the media to champion free, universally accessible healthcare agenda across Ghana, regardless of one’s connections or location.
According to Prof. Akoriyea, every Ghanaian deserve equal access to quality healthcare irrespective of their social status or connections, saying that, “no one should go to the hospital and need to know somebody before he gets treated,” calling such practices a relic must be consigned to the past.
He said this on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy call on the management of New Times Corporation (NTC) in Accra.
The visit was to familiarise with operations of the media house and forge partnership to achieve his vision for the service.
Prof. Akoriyea underscored the need for a collective support to achieve that goal saying “we cannot do it alone, we will need your help as a media house to highlight some of the vision that we have.”
He acknowledged the crucial role of the media in shaping positive health seeking behaviours, particularly among the youth, urging it to partner with the GHS to promote preventive health initiatives for a healthier population.
He also appealed for innovative media campaigns to curb the youth’s growing reliance on illicit drugs known as “red,” “blue tooth” and others by making health‐promotion messages catchy and relevant.
He also expressed concern over the rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as hypertension and others and its economic effects on patients and families as a whole.
He also indicated that since the launch of a fund for non-communicable diseases by the President to cover treatments such as dialysis, the GHS has moved to prevent patients from being trapped in a cycle of endless, costly procedures.
Moreover, Prof. Akoriyea reiterated that dialysis was merely a “stopgap measure” and indicated plans of exploring organ donation and transplantation as long-term solutions.
To coordinate efforts, he emphasised that the Service will appoint a media focal person to collaborate with its Public Relations and Health Promotion units, forging a sustainable, district-level communication strategy and called for collaboration to bring better health to Ghanaians
The Managing Director of NTC, Mr Martin Adu-Owusu, on his part recognised the importance of health promotion in reducing Ghana’s disease burden, assuring of the Corporation’s support to the GHS in that direction.
“For me, this is a call for teamwork, don’t forget we are all working for mother Ghana because at the end when we’re successful, we’ll share the glory. We are ready to collaborate with the GHS to ensure that health promotion becomes paramount in the everyday health system,” he assured.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has revealed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) directed a change in the legal representation for Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi.
According to the MP, the party’s directive led to Samuel Atta Akyea replacing Andy Appiah-Kubi as counsel for Chairman Wontumi in his ongoing legal cases.
Speaking on the matter, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah said the decision was not an individual one, but a party-led move to streamline and manage Wontumi’s legal affairs.
“The NPP directed that the legal cases of Chairman Wontumi be taken over. That is why Samuel Atta Akyea has now replaced Andy Appiah-Kubi as his lawyer,” he stated.
Chairman Wontumi has been in the news recently over various legal matters, including investigations and court appearances related to allegations of illegal mining and financial dealings.
The change in legal counsel is seen by political observers as the NPP’s attempt to present a united front and provide coordinated legal support to one of its key regional figures.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong, has donated 300 cleaning materials to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in appreciation of the hospital’s support to firefighters injured in the line of duty.
The items, which included mops and sweeping brushes, were presented on behalf of the CFO by a delegation from the Ghana National Fire Service [GNFS].
Leading the delegation were the Director of ICT, DCFO Henry Giwah, and the Greater Accra Regional Fire Officer, ACFO II Rashid Kwame Nisawu.
Speaking at the presentation, DCFO Giwah commended the management and staff of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for their commitment to delivering quality healthcare to the public, and especially to firefighters who receive treatment at the facility.
He noted that the donation was a gesture of gratitude and a demonstration of the Chief Fire Officer’s commitment to strengthening the partnership between the two institutions.
“The Chief Fire Officer remains committed to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between the Ghana National Fire Service and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital,” DCFO Giwah stated.
Receiving the items on behalf of the hospital, the Chief Executive Officer of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Yakubu Seidu Adam, expressed appreciation to the CFO and the GNFS for the kind gesture.
Dr. Adam assured the delegation that the cleaning materials would be put to good use to help maintain hygiene standards at the hospital.
He also reaffirmed Korle Bu’s commitment to sustaining the strong and cordial relationship with the Ghana National Fire Service.
The donation forms part of efforts by the GNFS to recognize institutions that play a critical role in supporting its personnel and operations.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
