News
‘Misinformation undermines trust in health systems, endangers lives’
An International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) impact award recipient in partnership with Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Mr Kelvin Odonkor, has identified health misinformation as one of the biggest health threats facing the country.
He noted that health misinformation had undermined trust in health systems and endangered many lives.
He said this at a training workshop in Accra to equip community health workers and health trainees with essential tools to combat false health narratives in their communities.
The workshop empowered health workers and young professionals with the awareness and tools needed to combat falsehoods in their communities.”
The event spearheaded by Mr Odonkor was in partnership with CHAG, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Public Health Nursing School, Korle Bu, FactCheck Ghana, DUBAWA and funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with Meridian International Centre as the implementing partner.
The workshop was also aimed at enhancing participant’s ability to identify and verify misleading health information. Attendees included frontline community health workers, representatives from non-governmental organisation and health trainees.
Topics treated included understanding the distinction between misinformation (unintentional falsehoods) and disinformation (deliberate falsehoods), practical exercises in utilising fact-checking tools and techniques for verifying health-related information, and strategies for engaging with communities to correct misinformation and ensure accurate health communication.
According to Mr Odonkor, health misinformation poses a significant challenges particularly in underserved areas, leading to issues like vaccine hesitancy and the spread of harmful practices at home that could have otherwise been avoided with accurate information.
He further mentioned that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana experienced a surge in health-related misinformation, which contributed to widespread confusion about the virus and vaccines.
At the end of the training works, participants were able to use fact-checking tools effectively to debunk health myths as well as formed a network of health misinformation fact-checkers and ambassadors committed to promoting accurate health information in Ghana.
Sharing their thoughts after the event, a public health nurse, Rabbi Braimah, said, “This workshop has enabled us to understand the difference between misinformation and disinformation. It has equipped me with the tools to ensure that the information I share or use is accurate.”
She also expressed her satisfaction for the programme, recommending that, “the training should nsot be limited to only the targeted audience but should be extended to religious groups and community leaders.
By Abigail Annoh
News
President Mahama signs book of condolence in honour of late former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
President John Dramani Mahama and his wife, Lordina Mahama, have signed the book of condolence in honour of the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
The visit took place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the family’s residence in Accra.
It followed widespread media reports confirming that the former First Lady had passed away at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.
In his condolence message, President Mahama paid glowing tribute to Nana Konadu, describing her as a dedicated leader and a tireless advocate for women’s empowerment.
“Ghana is proud of your achievements in your 19 solid years as First Lady and ‘Mother of the Nation.’ While we are all saddened by your passing, we celebrate your life,” the President wrote.
He noted that her passing was especially painful as it came at a time when preparations were underway to mark the fifth anniversary and final funeral rites of her late husband, former President Jerry John Rawlings.
“You fought a good fight and deserve a peaceful rest,” his message concluded.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, served as Ghana’s First Lady from 1981 to 2000.
She was the founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement and is remembered for her lifelong commitment to advancing women’s rights and national development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), Paul Adom-Otchere, has explained that his recent legal action against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is not to stop the anti-graft body from accessing his asset declaration details.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mr. Adom-Otchere said reports suggesting that he was trying to block the OSP from obtaining information on his assets were misleading.
According to him, he had already completed and submitted the asset declaration forms requested by the OSP on October 23, 2025.
He also attached a letter of protest on the same date to express his concerns about certain aspects of the process.
“As a matter of record, the OSP’s asset declaration forms have been completed and submitted,” the statement read.
Mr. Adom-Otchere stressed that he remains committed to cooperating with the OSP to bring finality to the matter.
He explained that the purpose of his court action is simply to “settle the law and procedure on the matter” not to obstruct the OSP’s work.
The OSP had earlier directed Mr. Adom-Otchere to declare his assets as part of an ongoing investigation, prompting him to seek clarification from the court on the legality of that directive.
By: Jacob Aggrey
