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National Cadet Corps commemorates Feb 28 Crossroads shooting
As part of the celebration of the country’s 68th Independence anniversary the National Cadet Corps has organised a route march of student cadet corps from some chosen Senior High Schools (SHSs) to commemorate the 1948 riots that led to Ghana’s independence.
More than 1,000 students from Accra Girls’ SHS, Accra Wesley Girls High School, Labone SHS, St. Mary’s SHS, and St. Thomas Aquinas SHS attended the event on Friday, February 28. The remaining ones are Holy Trinity Cathedral SHS, Presbyterian SHS, Osu, Accra Technical Training Centre, and Presbyterian SHS, La.
The route march which covered three kilometres distance started from the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park, through the National Theatre road to the Ministries Police Station, National Lotteries and then to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park Mausoleum where a brief ceremony was held to commemorate the day.
The National Cadet Coordinator, school coordinators, and a few agency heads were also in attendance.
The event was on the theme “Discipline and Loyalty among the Youth, Reflect, Review, and Reset.”
Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, encouraged the cadet corps to maintain their strong commitment to discipline and teamwork because these are lifelong skills that will benefit them whether they choose to work in the military, tourism, or any other field.
Discipline, in her opinion, is about establishing objectives and putting forth great effort to meet them.
“It’s about accepting accountability and responsibility for your actions. Being loyal means sticking to your ideals and beliefs, even when it’s challenging. Non-violence is about finding solutions that work for everyone and settling disputes amicably,” she added.
The minister reminded the youth that not only are discipline, loyalty, and non-violence ideals, but they are a way of life that “make us one people even though we come from diverse backgrounds and cultures.”
She exhorted them to always act honourably and with respect for others, and to keep aiming for excellence in all that they do.
“Remember, your positive attitude and enthusiasm are contagious. You can be an inspiration to your peers in many ways. Dare to be different positively, be known for the positive vibes you bring around,” she said.
She also urged them to pick up positive traits from others and contribute to Ghana becoming a great nation with leaders prepared to assume leadership positions and have an influence on their communities.
The National Cadet Coordinator General, Mr Nicholas Nii Tettey-Amarteifio, said in an interview that the government cannot accomplish its goals on its own and that everyone should work together to help it reach new heights, whether or not funding is available.
He further reiterated that, “we need to rest the mindset of the youth to help them review and reflect on the positive development of Ghana.”
He said, “If the student cadet can perform so well at such an event without receiving any funding from the government, then the governm
ent should be able to inspire them by showing up whenever they are called upon.”
According to Mr Tettey-Amarteifio, the National Cadet will institute the possibility of establishing a National Discipline award for schools at the regional and national levels for students who exhibit exceptional discipline. The President of Ghana will present these schools with a special award during the national cadet youth parade on July 1.
The director of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park Mausoleum, Mr Edward Quao, urged the government to support the remembrance so that it can become an annual event. Miss Pearl Adjetey-Larbie of Holy Trinity Cathedral (HOTCASS) stated in a solidarity message that the lack of activities that brings students from two or more schools together is one of the primary reasons for inter-school conflict.
She expressed optimism that further educational initiatives like this one will lessen student disputes and assured that “Never again will students fight with one another.”
By Georgina Quaittoo
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
