Features
Need for Ghana to produce its own COVID-19 vaccine
The challenge facing many countries in the world today is not just the phenomenon of COVID-19 pandemic but how to come out with an effective vaccine that will enable countries to overcome this bitter and frightening challenge which is wiping off substantial portions of humanity from the face of the earth.
It is unfortunate that a time when the world has advanced in science and technology and performing wonders in these areas, we are confronted with a pandemic which is not easy to fight against or eradicate to the discomfort of many people. The world today has been made a sad place to live because of the pandemic and it is becoming increasingly clear that the free lifestyles of mankind can no longer be the same but would have to be modified whether we like it or not.
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGE
In view of the challenge facing the world, it has become necessary for countries to think about how to overcome this negative phenomenon which is inappropriately frightening the existence of mankind. There is no doubt, from what we see across the world, that our lifestyles have been changed by the pandemic and that no matter what we do life will still not be the same.
Churches and mosques find it difficult to accept this phenomenon because it is preventing them from their normal congregational worship in such a manner that few people, from fear of death, come to these places of worship to dedicate themselves to the Almighty God. Even though dedication to God is important, we all need to take practical steps aimed at ensuring that the COVID-19 safety protocols are carefully and comprehensively observed to make things better than they are now. If these protocols are not observed as expected, the end results will be disastrous for everyone.
APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE VACCINES
While efforts are made to observe all the COVID-19 safety protocols, we also need to ensure that appropriate and effective vaccines are produced to deal with the disease. The production of these vaccines should not depend only on the developed countries that take scientific research more seriously but should be seen as a matter of concern for all countries, whether developed or not.
It is in the light of this that Ghana must also find ways of coming out with its own vaccine to prove to the world that it has the capability to cause wonders to save mankind in the world. This is possible so Ghana must work towards it and tell the rest of the world that it has come of age and deserve to discover such vaccines to save mankind from extinction. If this is done, it will bring glory not only to Ghanaians but to Africa as a whole.
The world is in a way competing feverishly for salvation as far as production of COVID-19 vaccine is concerned in view of the need to make the medicine available to all people to be able to make it accessible to all people as a way of saving precious lives in different parts of the world.
Initially, Ghana organised itself quickly and was able to get some quantities of vaccines to use for the protection of its people. This was due to the dangerous nature of the pandemic which has been able to claim several thousands of lives the world over. Ghana was fortunate to have got some vaccines to vaccinate some of its citizens, having given the first and second jabs to some of its people. After this, however, the other expected vaccines did not come as expected.
HIGH DEMAND FOR THE VACCINE
This was partly the result of the high demand for the vaccine the world over which made it extremely difficult for adequate supply to be made available to people in various parts of the world. India which was producing the vaccine was caught unawares by the pandemic losing thousands and thousands of some of its own citizens as a result, the vaccines they produced was kept saving their own people first before thinking of exporting them to other parts of the world including Ghana.
This together with numerous competing demands from various countries in different parts of the world made it extremely difficult for the restoration of supplies of the COVID-19 vaccines to continue the good job the government of Ghana was able to do and help prevent needless deaths in the country.
NON-RELIANCE ON FOREIGNERS
As at now, the country is still struggling to get some of the vaccines for the rest of its people. In view of this unpleasant development, Ghana cannot continue to rely on foreigners for the supply of the vaccines. If this is the case, then things must be put together, as a matter of urgency, to organise pharmaceuticals in Ghana and encourage them to produce the vaccines to fight the pandemic which, we all agree, is a real threat and tussle in the lives of mankind the world over.
If Ghana, can manufacture its own COVID-19 vaccines, and we believe it can, it will be possible to vaccinate everybody in the country and when this happens, each person will feel safe and adequately protected. Again, producing countries will not be able to continue with their bluff or expect some of the countries to beg them before making the vaccines available. It would also make Ghana stand out both in honour and boldness to tell the world that it has come of age.
LOCAL MANUFACTURE OF THE VACCINE
It is in the light of this that Ghana must do all it can to ensure that all brains are put together to make the local manufacture of the vaccines possible. This can be done so we need to work towards it. It has, therefore, become necessary to think about this issue in a more positive manner. It is for this reason that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that the global shortage of Coronavirus vaccines means that Ghana must develop its capacity to produce its own vaccines domestically and reduce the dependence on foreign supplies.
The President added that Ghana must be self-sufficient in this regard in the future. He also stated that the country ought to prepare better to deal with any such occurrences. To this end, he announced during his 26th Coronavirus address to the nation on Sunday, July 25 that the Committee established under Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng has submitted its report. Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng is a world-renowned Ghanaian scientist who was charged by President Akufo-Addo to investigate Ghana’s potential as a vaccine manufacturing hub, to meet national and regional needs.
NATIONAL VACCINE INSTITUTE
The presented report by Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng’s committee has recommended the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute to spearhead this development.This is a positive development that must be vigorously pursued so that the common national agenda of being able to produce the COVID-19 vaccine for Ghana can be realisable within the shortest possible time.This is possible so Ghana must pursue this national agenda with all the might and vigour that it has.
Dr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
