News
No case of Leprosy recorded at Manhyia hospital for 5 years
The Manhyia government hospital in Kumasi, has not recorded any leprosy case for more than five years.
Mrs Evelyn Amponsah, the Disease Control Officer of the hospital who made this known, attributed it to the intense and continuing sensitisation efforts directed towards both the health workers and the public.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at the hospital in Kumasi, she noted that, the hospital management had been unwavering in its commitment to ensure that all patients who visit the facility were thoroughly educated about Leprosy, its symptoms, and preventive measures.
This proactive approach had not only contributed to the absence of new cases but has also fostered a better understanding of the disease among community members, she added
The GNA visited the facility to gain insight into leprosy situation as the world observed leprosy day, which fell on January 25, 2026.
World Leprosy Day is marked on the last Sunday of January every year.
The Day serves as a vital opportunity to celebrate the resilience and strength of individuals who have experienced leprosy, while also raising awareness about the disease itself.
It also calls for a collective effort to eradicate the stigma and discrimination that often accompany leprosy, which can lead to isolation and suffering for those affected.
The theme for World Leprosy Day 2026 is ‘Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma.’
Mrs Amponsah further indicated that the theme served as a clarion call to action, aiming to enhance public knowledge about leprosy, underscored the challenges faced by individuals affected by the disease, and encourage collaborative efforts to eliminate leprosy altogether.
She emphasised that the stigma associated with leprosy was frequently cited by those affected as one of their most significant challenges, making it imperative that society worked towards fostering acceptance and understanding.
She also provided important information about the transmission of leprosy, noting that, while it was not entirely clear how the disease spreads, it was believed that when an infected person coughs or sneezes, they release droplets containing the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria, which could then be inhaled by another person.
Casual interactions such as shaking hands, hugging, or sitting next to someone on public transport do not pose a risk of spreading the disease, she noted
In light of this, Mrs Amponsah strongly advised the public to seek immediate medical attention at the hospital if they observed any signs that might indicate leprosy, such as a noticeable loss of eyebrows and/or eyelashes, persistent sores on the soles of the feet that fail to heal, or deformities accompanied by pain, redness, or burning sensations in the nose, hands, and feet.–GNA
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Member of Parliament for Kpandai constituency, Matthew Nyindam, has argued that he would have defeated the National Democratic Congress candidate if a rerun election had been held, insisting that his loss was a battle against the power of the state rather than a fair contest.
Nyindam explained that his legal challenge to the 2024 parliamentary election was based on irregularities in four polling stations.
He noted that his team expected the court to address those specific concerns, not to order a fresh election across the entire constituency.
According to him, the decision to rerun the election confirmed what he described as a long standing pattern of unfair conduct by the NDC in Kpandai.
He added that he anticipated the chance to appeal the ruling but was surprised when Parliament later declared his seat vacant.
Nyindam stressed that the declaration of the seat left him feeling unfairly treated.
He maintained that he won the election clearly and believed the process that followed was aimed at removing him from Parliament prematurely.
He further stated that the situation turned into a contest between himself and the state.
He explained that running against the full weight of government made the election difficult, as ministers, MPs, chief executives and other officials were actively involved in campaigning, with resources flowing into the constituency.
Despite these challenges, Nyindam expressed confidence in his political strength, stating that under normal circumstances he would have beaten his opponent comfortably.
He added that he ultimately left the outcome in the hands of God, believing that destiny would determine whether he returned to Parliament.
Nyindam concluded that although the experience was painful, he believes it will serve a greater purpose in his political journey.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, has admitted that the party did not achieve its desired results in the Ashanti Region during the 2024 general election but maintained that the region remained the party’s strongest support base.
Addressing the media after a post election review, Wontumi said the party quickly set up a regional committee to investigate the reasons for the loss and to propose solutions.
He explained that a subcommittee was tasked to study what went wrong and recommend ways to improve future performance.
According to him, the committee’s report highlighted both the party’s mistakes and areas that need improvement.
He noted that the party has taken lessons from the findings and is ready to make changes.
Wontumi stressed that he learns quickly and is committed to applying the recommendations.
He emphasized that despite not meeting expectations, votes from the Ashanti Region significantly contributed to the party’s overall national performance.
He explained that the region pushed the party to the final figures it recorded in the 2024 election and still produced more votes than any other region.
Wontumi added that a post mortem of the results would show that the Ashanti Region performed better than others, even though the party fell short of its target.
He described the region’s effort as commendable.
He said the party now understands what voters in the Ashanti Region expect and assured them that the NPP will engage them better and work to meet their needs in future elections.
By: Jacob Aggrey
