News
Ministry of Health marks lead awareness week to curb lead poisoning
The Ministry of Health (MoH), in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and development partners, has observed this year’s Lead Awareness Week under the theme “No Safe Level: Act Now to End Lead Exposure.”
The campaign, supported by Pure Earth, aims to educate the public on the dangers of lead poisoning and promote efforts to eliminate lead from paints, consumer products, and the environment.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Frank Rajah said lead exposure remains a major public health concern, especially for children, pregnant women, and workers.
He explained that lead poisoning can cause serious and irreversible health effects, including brain damage, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and damage to vital organs such as the kidneys.
Mr. Rajah noted that the effects of lead exposure go beyond health, as they also carry social and economic costs that reduce productivity and hinder sustainable development.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to preventive health measures, stronger regulations, and partnerships aimed at achieving a lead-free Ghana.
Dr. Fiona Braka, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Ghana, cited data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation showing that lead exposure caused over 1.5 million deaths globally in 2021, most of them due to heart-related conditions. It also led to 33 million disability-adjusted life years lost worldwide.
Dr. Braka explained that children are more vulnerable to lead because their bodies absorb it more easily, leading to reduced IQ, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems. In pregnant women, lead exposure can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and birth defects.
She added that WHO, through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Lead Poisoning Prevention Initiative, will continue to support high-risk countries, including Ghana, to adopt clinical management guidelines for lead exposure and strengthen national systems for early detection and response.
The Lead Awareness Week celebration highlights Ghana’s growing commitment to protecting public health and ensuring a safer, lead-free environment for all.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The 24 Hour Economy Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hunan Architectural Design Institute Group to support the planning of the Volta Economic Corridor.
The agreement aims to guide how land within the corridor will be used, design key infrastructure, and develop systems that will support large scale production.
The partnership will focus on detailed planning to make the area ready for investment and smooth business operations.
The project will include the development of agroecological parks, industrial zones, and transport networks to connect production centres to markets.
According to the Authority, proper planning is critical to building strong economic systems and expanding production across the corridor.
It noted that the collaboration with the Chinese design firm will help lay a solid foundation for industrial growth and long term development within the Volta Economic Corridor.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Efua Ghartey, has called on judges and lawyers to carry out their duties with humility, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.
She made the appeal during the Supreme Court at 150 celebration held at the University of Ghana, under the theme “Honouring the past, celebrating the present and defining the future.”
Addressing participants, she noted that those in the legal profession occupy positions of great power and influence, and must therefore remain humble in the discharge of their duties.
She urged both the bench and the bar to deliver justice without fear or ill will, stressing the need for fairness in handling cases.
Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, she explained that the year 1876 marks not only the establishment of the Supreme Court but also the beginning of formally trained lawyers in the Gold Coast.
The GBA President questioned what Ghana would be without the rule of law, which is upheld by judges and lawyers, adding that the country could descend into a system where only the strongest survive if justice is not properly administered.
She further encouraged legal practitioners to reflect on their responsibilities and remain committed to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens.
By: Jacob Aggrey
