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‘Preterm babies aren’t curses’
• Mrs. Mayne-Eghan making a donation
to a mother of a preterm baby
An advocate for preterm babies’ wellness and their survival, Mrs. Naa Kuorkor Mayne-Eghan, Founder of Jay Foundation, has expressed dissatisfaction about the rate at which some mothers and parents abandon from their preterm babies at various health facilities.
The advocate bemoaned that some families in our Ghanaian cultural setting have the misconception that preterm babies are bad omens and a curse to the family; hence, they abandon these little innocent babies in order not to carry them along as curses.
This act, she said, was cruel, inhumane, and primitive because the preterm babies are innocent of whatever complication they may find themselves in.
She explained that preterm babies are those born before the 37th week of pregnancy, and that such babies require special treatment and attention at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to be able to grow normally like full-term babies.
Adding to that, she said some of the treatment for these preterm babies may require more intensive nursery care, medication, and sometimes surgery due to the degree of complications.
Mrs. Mayne-Eghan encouraged preterm mothers not to be anxious and afraid of preterm babies because the situation has nothing to do with spirituality, superstitious beliefs, or a curse as such babies are just going to grow up and be perfectly fit like full-term babies.
“It is about time we eschew negative perceptions and do away with some myths and misconceptions about maternal health and its related health complications,” she stressed.
On her part, there must be enough education for preterm mothers and her family at large in order to prevent the worrying phenomenon where families and mothers abandon preterm babies because it has nothing to do with traditional or cultural affiliations but rather a medical condition.
The founder of the Jay Foundation called on stakeholders in the health sector to shift attention to neonatal healthcare because these preterm babies are the future leaders who would rule the affairs of the nation.
“The death of a baby should not be as a result of negligence or due to the unavailability of medical equipment, electricity, or space because the babies did not ask to be born into such troubling situations,” she passionately underscored.
According to her, the Jay Foundation, a non-governmental organisation has devoted its mandate to ensuring that pre-mature babies survive in Ghana by ensuring their mothers are happy and the neonatal intensive care units are equipped to ensure that the babies thrive.
Highlighting the success story of the Jay Foundation, the Founder said since its inception in 2019, it has made donations of more than GH¢300,000 to NICUs (neonatal intensive care units) in 10 hospitals and medical facilities in the country to support preterm babies, their mothers, and staff of the hospitals.
Tema General Hospital, Nsawam, Korle Bu, ShaiOsudoku, Keta Hospitals, Battor Catholic, Wenchi Hospital,
Bamboi Polyclinic, Banda District Hospital, and Jama Polyclinic are among the facilities she mentioned.
“Items donated included digital thermometers, digital weighing scales, suction machines, pulse oximeters, nasal prongs, baby cots, cot sheets, bedsheets, drip stands, kangaroo mother care clothes, baby wipes, napkins, sanitisers, baby clothing, and cleaning materials, among others,” the advocate mentioned.
Mrs. Mayne-Eghan observed that, in Ghana, most preterm babies do not get adequate care due to lack of space, facilities, and essentials needed to evade infection, which cause death.
She reiterated her commitment with her indefatigable team members at the Jay Foundation to continually aim at reducing the high mortality rate of neonates and maternal mortality in the short term.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
Massive celebrations were recorded countrywide as the Black Stars opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto on Wednesday.
Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scored the only goal of the match late in the game as he shot in a decent cross from substitute Brandon Asante.
The win gave Ghana a positive start in the competition, placing them in second position behind England, also with three points but with a superior goal aggregate.
After the final whistle, the streets and other viewing centres were turned into partying grounds as fans, mostly clad in the team’s paraphernalia, danced to several World Cup-themed music.
Others blew the vuvuzelas in joyous mood with others putting up a spirited ‘jama’ session.
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Adentan Constituency, Akosua Manu, has urged party members to move away from what she describes as an “entitlement mentality” and focus on unity, sacrifice and hard work as the party prepares for the 2028 general election.
In a statement titled “Is Loyalty a Queue?”, and posted on facebook, Ms. Manu argued that loyalty to the NPP should not be judged by how long a person has been in the party but by their contributions and commitment to its growth.
According to her, the NPP’s history shows that many of its leaders faced significant opposition from within the party before eventually leading it to electoral success.
She cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example, saying he had to overcome resistance from influential figures within the party before winning power for the NPP in 2000.
Ms. Manu noted that after the party lost power in 2008, former President Kufuor faced criticism and accusations from some party members.
However, she said supporters eventually put their differences aside and worked together to rebuild the party.
She pointed to the experience of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, according to her, faced opposition from some factions within the NPP despite his long service to the party.
“His trials were ten times what Kufuor endured,” she stated, adding that Akufo-Addo eventually overcame the challenges and became President of Ghana.
Turning to the NPP’s current flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ms. Manu said he also faced resistance from different groups within the party while seeking leadership.
She praised Dr. Bawumia for contributing to policy-based political discussions in Ghana and for remaining composed following the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
According to her, party members must now rally behind him in the same way they supported former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo.
Ms. Manu, however, warned that internal divisions and a sense of entitlement remain major threats to the party’s future.
She argued that some party members place too much emphasis on how long individuals have belonged to the NPP rather than on their contributions and capabilities.
“This entitlement does not question impact. It does not ask what you sacrificed or what you built. It asks only how long have you been here,” she said.
The former parliamentary candidate cautioned that such attitudes could discourage committed members and prevent the party from selecting the best people for leadership positions.
She further called on the party’s incoming national executives to strengthen the NPP’s core values of sacrifice, honesty, integrity and dedication to national development.
Ms. Manu addressed the concerns of young party supporters, many of whom she said became discouraged following the NPP’s electoral defeat in 2024.
According to her, many young people remain eager to see the party return to power but are unwilling to support internal conflicts driven by personal ambitions.
She urged party elders to place the interests of the NPP above their individual goals and to demonstrate leadership that attracts rather than alienates members.
“The NPP is bigger than any one of us. It always has been. Our collective responsibility is to act like it,” she stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
