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New eye clinic opens at Denu to serve eye health needs
Salaria Eyemed and Optical Suppliers, an eye medical health facility has opened a new branch at Denu in the Volta Region, to cater for the eye health needs of the people of Ketu South Municipality.
The Denu branch is the third of the health facility that has been in operation from 2018, with branches in Ho and Accra.
Dr Abraham Gaitu, the Chief Executive Officer of Salaria Eyemed at the opening ceremony, said the decision to open a branch at Denu was informed by the desire to serve the eye health interests of the people, having embarked on two earlier outreach programmes in the area
He said Salaria Eyemed was committed to the provision of quality eye care services to all social classes and guided by core values of excellence, professionalism, teamwork, people-centred, discipline and integrity.
It was poised to provide services including comprehensive eye examination, treatment of eye conditions, and dispensing spectacles and contact lenses at the new branch.
Dr Gaitu said they would do this through state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified staff to ensure the best customer experience, announcing their presence in the municipality with some free services to benefit the people.
“To kickstart our services, we are embarking on a free screening programme on March 4-6 at the same venue. We therefore entreat everyone to recommend the eye screening to our family, friends and work colleagues.
“Furthermore, we will be providing free eye consultation for the entire month of March with the possibility of extending same beyond March,” he said.
The purpose of this exercise was to help elicit avoidable blinding conditions such as cataract, adding that it was interesting to note that there were several people living blind because of cataract due to lack of access to eye care services.
He identified another condition worth mentioning to be glaucoma, which he described as ‘the silent thief of sight’ and the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
Mr David Yao Agbokpe, the Municipal Director of Health Services through his representative appreciated the coming of Salaria Eyemed saying, its presence would add to the two other eye health facilities to improve eye health in the municipality.
Mr Jarvis Coffie, the Municipal National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Manager hinted of plans to work to have the facility to become a NHIS credentialed health facility so more subscribers could access its services.
Mr David Eglu, the Assemblyman for Adafienu pledged to work to ensure the facility embarked on outreach programmes to serve people in hard-to-reach areas in the Municipality.
—GNA
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
