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‘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
Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
