News
Persons with albinism call for specialised healthcare
Mr Gomez Agbodo, the Secretary to the Persons with Albinism in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, has appealed for an urgent establishment of a dedicated healthcare support systems for this vulnerable group across the country.
He said persons with albinism in Ketu South and other parts of the country continued to face serious challenges in accessing specialised and quality healthcare, particularly skin and eye care, exposing them to life-threatening conditions such as skin cancer and visual impairment.
Mr Agbodo made the appeal during a New Year interaction, organised by Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South, which brought together Persons with Disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the Municipality.
He noted that due to the unique genetic condition of persons with albinism, they required consistent medical attention, early diagnosis and specialised treatment, which were often unavailable or poorly handled in many public healthcare facilities.
“The struggle to access proper healthcare as a person with albinism is overwhelming. Many health facilities lack trained personnel who understand our condition, and this affects the quality of care we receive,” he explained.
Mr Agbodo recounted a personal experience where he sought medical care at a local health facility in the municipality but was discouraged by the level of professionalism and understanding exhibited by health workers.
“I once visited a hospital here, but the care was not encouraging. Eventually, I had to travel to a specialised clinic in Togo to receive proper treatment,” he narrated.
He explained that persons with albinism were highly vulnerable to the effects of direct sunlight, insect bites and untreated skin conditions, which could easily develop into skin cancer if not managed early.
“Our skin lacks melanin, so when we are exposed to harsh sunlight or suffer minor skin injuries like mosquito bites without early treatment, it can lead to severe complications, including skin cancer,” he explained.
Furthermore, Mr Agbodo noted that although early medical intervention could prevent most of these conditions, the lack of specialised services, dermatologists, sunscreen support and sensitised healthcare workers, remained a major barrier.
He appealed to Madam Gomashie to raise the concerns of persons with albinism at the national level and advocate for policies that would prioritise their health needs, including the establishment of specialised clinics and training of health professionals.
He expressed hope that with strong advocacy and government commitment, persons with albinism would receive the dignity, protection and healthcare they deserved.
The New Year gathering provided a platform for various vulnerable groups to interact with the MP and share concerns affecting their welfare, inclusion and development. –GNA
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AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
