News
Pay attention to health of prisoners’
Some members of the public being screened
The government has been urged to pay more attention to the health of prisoners as the absence of that could pose public health risk in the society.
Founder of Jabi Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, Ms Mary Yaa Wujiti, cautioned; “If we neglect the prisoners, remember the officers manning there will pick up infections and bring it to their dependents and the general community; the churches, mosques, market, school which is why we must prioritise their health.”
She shared the advice in an interview with The Spectator when her organisation in collaboration with LAMACONSULT, a conflict resolution focused NGO, organised a free health screening for inmates and officers of the Ankaful Maximum Prison in the Central region.
In all, about 400 individuals were screened for conditions including blood pressure, sugar, malaria, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) as well as eye complications with essential medications, eye glasses and assorted food items also donated to the facility.
Ms Wujiti said that one of the key values of Jabi Foundation was empathy which was its major drive to reach out to inmates and bring healthcare to their doorsteps.
“Since prisons is one neglected area in our society, we thought of bringing healthcare to their doorstep to put a smile on their face.”
Ms Wujiti, also an Ophthalmic Nurse, observed that due to overcrowding in the cells, most of the inmates had skin infections, some of which were communicable with others, particularly elderly inmates suffering blurred vision.
“Others complained of body aches, had nutritional deficits, among others so we appeal to the government, NGOs and the general public to support the healthcare systems in the prisons by providing them with medications, consumables and other necessary equipment to promote their wellbeing.”
She further encouraged members of the public to undertake an eye test at least once a year because, “blinding eye conditions are very silent, they don’t come with pain but before you realise you are blind.”
By Abigail Annoh
The New Times Corporation (NTC) on Monday held its annual thanksgiving service, bringing together staff and management to reflect on the past year, express gratitude, and renew their commitment to the organisation’s growth.
At the service, the Deputy Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and a Board Member of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Madam Charity Binka, called for strong and intentional collaboration among staff, emphasising that unity and teamwork were crucial to transforming the corporation during its challenging times.
“This is a time to break silos, share ideas and work together as one team with a shared vision,” she said, adding that innovation and digital transformation must be embraced to secure NTC’s future.
Madam Binka expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the corporation and its employees despite financial and operational difficulties.
“Though the journey has not been smooth, God has sustained us. We are here today because of His grace,” she indicated, acknowledging the resilience and dedication of staff who have kept The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator among the country’s most respected newspapers.
Quoting Jeremiah 29:11, she encouraged staff to remain hopeful and confident that brighter days lie ahead.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. John Akorli of Word Divine International Ministry at Sukura, Accra, cautioned staff against excessive talking and gossip, warning that careless speech could create unnecessary problems.
Rev. Akorli further reminded staff that their identity should not be defined by past mistakes, family background, or negative labels.
He encouraged them to live confidently, depend on God’s guidance, and remain focused on their responsibilities, noting that spiritual awareness and discipline were essential to personal and organisational growth.
The service ended with prayers for unity, renewal, and a prosperous new chapter for the New Times Corporation.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Catholic Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese, Bishop Joseph Afrifa Agyekum, has expressed concern over the rising rate of divorce in the country, attributing the trend largely to inadequate knowledge about marriage and misplaced expectations of couples.
He said many marriages were collapsing because couples entered into the union without a clear understanding of the responsibilities, sacrifices and commitments that marriage demands.
The Bishop raised the concern while addressing congregants at the 50th anniversary of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church at Madina on Sunday.
According to him, marriage was increasingly being viewed through unrealistic lenses shaped by social media, peer pressure and material expectations, rather than mutual respect, patience and shared values.
“Many people go into marriage with expectations that are not grounded in reality. When those expectations are not met, conflict sets in and eventually leads to separation or divorce,” he observed.
The Bishop noted that some couples lacked proper preparation before marriage, adding that pre-marital counselling was often treated as a formality rather than an opportunity to gain deeper insight into marital life.
He stressed the need for churches, families and society to intensify education on marriage, particularly among the youth, to help them make informed decisions before entering into marital unions.
The Bishop also urged married couples to embrace dialogue, forgiveness and understanding, saying disagreements were inevitable but could be resolved through patience and commitment.
He urged couples experiencing challenges to seek counselling instead of resorting to separation, emphasising that strong families remained the foundation of a stable and progressive society.
By Kennedy Afedzi
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