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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
![Mrs Georgina Quaittoo [third from right] pose with some members of the Association Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mrs-Georgina-Quaittoo-third-from-right-pose-with-some-members-of-the-Association-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth-400x240.jpg)
![Mrs Georgina Quaittoo [third from right] pose with some members of the Association Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mrs-Georgina-Quaittoo-third-from-right-pose-with-some-members-of-the-Association-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth-80x80.jpg)
![Mrs Georgina Quaittoo [third from right] pose with some members of the Association Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mrs-Georgina-Quaittoo-third-from-right-pose-with-some-members-of-the-Association-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth.jpg)
THE Times Ladies Association, a group consisting of female staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), on Monday commemorated this year’s International Women’s Day with a call on women to empower themselves through education, unity and healthy living to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The event, held at the NTC’s boardroom, was attended by management members and staff of the corporation and was to celebrate the achievements of women and reflect on their role in society.
In her address, the President of the association, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo, said the global celebration, marked annually on March 8, recognised the economic, political and social achievements of women while raising awareness about gender equality.
Although the international celebration fell on Sunday, she explained that the association decided to mark the occasion on March 9 to enable members to participate fully and commemorate the day in their own way.
Speaking on this year’s theme: ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,’ and the global campaign theme: ‘Give to Gain,’ she the association had over the years worked tirelessly to support the growth and progress of the corporation despite the challenges they faced.
Urged members to commit themselves to deeper service to humanity and the advancement of women. She said women were unique, resilient and invaluable to society, stating that they deserved respect, appreciation, kindness and love for the vital roles they played in families, workplaces and communities.
According to her, members of the President, who is also the Editor of The Spectator newspaper, encouraged members to empower themselves academically and take advantage of opportunities to improve their lives and careers.
She also urged them to maintain healthy lifestyles by going for regular medical check-ups, exercise regularly, get enough rest and support one another.
Moreover, she advised members to accept leadership positions when given the opportunity and to exhibit qualities such as hard work, confidence, patience, compassion and responsibility in both their homes and workplaces.
Contributing, the Chanel Marketing and Circulation Manager, Mr Alfred Koomson, said women played critical roles in society and deserved to be supported and appreciated.
He urged men to recognise that they were often vulnerable species without the care, support and contributions of women in their lives.
He, therefore, commended women for the invaluable roles they play as mothers, caregivers, professionals and leaders, stressing that society would be incomplete without them.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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GHANA celebrated her 69th Independence Anniversary last Friday with colourful parades across all 16 regions of the country.
This year’s theme: ‘Reflect, Review, Reset,’ emphasised the importance of reflecting on the nation’s journey, assessing its current state, and planning for a brighter future.
At the Jubilee House, dignitaries present were President John Mahama, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former Presidents, Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor, behalf of the President, former President of Tanzania, and other distinguished guests.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, addressed the nation at the seat of government whiles Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives addressed their various assemblies on.
As part of the celebrations, school children paraded and displayed their marching skills whiles others performed cultural and other social activities to mark the day across the regions.
