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Revert to Covid 19 safety to curb cholera outbreak-GHS
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Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Acting Director General, Ghana Health Service (GHS), has urged the public to revert to the COVID-19 safety protocols to curb the cholera outbreak in the country.
He said the hand washing practice, the use of sanitiser and improvement of sanitation conditions would control the spread of the disease, however, the act of Ghanaians giving up on the protocols had led to the outbreak.
Prof. Akoriyea gave the advice when Tobinco Pharmaceutical Limited donated medical consumables to the Ghana Health Service to aid cholera and meningitis treatment.
“It was, thus, important for all to intensify hand washing practices and ensure a clean environment as part of measures to prevent cholera,” he added.
He said: “The most important thing will be cleanliness. We want people to clean their environment, wash their hands before they take any food, and concentrate more on water and sanitation.
“Once we are able to do that, we will be able to reduce the cases dramatically because for almost a year or two during the peak of COVID-19, Ghana did not record any cholera outbreak.”
“So, let’s keep ourselves clean. Let’s keep our environment clean. Let’s wash our hands before we eat,” Prof. Akoriyea added.
He further indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana was brought under control due to hand washing and adherence to the safety protocols, hence going back to the measures would help to curb the menace.
Prof. Akoriyea assured the public that the cholera situation, as well the Cerebrospinal Meningitis, were under control, without any cholera deaths being recorded in the past few weeks.
There were a few suspected cases, which had been taken to the laboratory for confirmation, he said, and stressed the need for strict hand washing practices.
Prof. Akoriyea said the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana was brought under control due to hand washing and other safety protocols, hence an improvement in the protocols would help to curb the menace.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
The World Health Organisation says cholera remains a global threat to public health and serves as an indicator of inequity and a lack of social development.
Symptoms include frequent diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, along with abdominal cramps, fever, headache, fatigue, dry mouth and throat, and decreased urine output.
Medical experts warn that cases of the disease can be fatal within hours if left untreated. Most individuals infected with cholera may not exhibit symptoms, but the bacteria can still be present in their faeces for one to 10 days post-infection, potentially contaminating the environment and infecting others.
A minority of patients develop acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if left untreated.
Cholera transmission is closely linked to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Typical at-risk areas include peri-urban slums and camps for internally displaced persons. Early detection and treatment are crucial to preventing complications and reducing mortality. –GNA
The Supreme Court has dismissed an application by former Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Asamoah, seeking to stop the ongoing Skytrain trial.
Asamoah, the first accused in the case, had filed a certiorari application at the Supreme Court seeking to quash the High Court’s decision rejecting his submission of no case after the prosecution had closed its case.
He subsequently applied for an interlocutory injunction to prevent the High Court from continuing with the trial until the Supreme Court determined his certiorari application.
Justice Senyo Dzamefe, sitting as a single Justice of the Supreme Court, dismissed the injunction application on Monday after hearing arguments from the parties last Friday.
In his ruling, Justice Dzamefe held that, based on Asamoah’s own affidavit evidence, he had not demonstrated a serious case to be tried.
The court also held that the issues raised by the applicant were matters that could properly be addressed through an appeal.
It further found that the trial judge’s decision to rule on the submission of no case was not an act done without jurisdiction or beyond the court’s jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court also concluded that Asamoah had not demonstrated what irreparable harm he would suffer if the injunction was not granted.
The ruling means the High Court can continue with the Skytrain trial while Asamoah’s certiorari application remains pending.
The High Court has set September 23 as the final extended deadline for the accused persons to file their defence, should they decide to do so.
Meanwhile, the second accused person, former GIIF Board Chairman, Professor Christopher Ameyaw Ekumfi, has filed a fresh application for a stay of proceedings.
The application is scheduled to be heard by the Court of Appeal on September 1.
Asamoah and Prof. Ameyaw Ekumfi are standing trial over allegations that $2 million was paid towards the Skytrain project without the approval of the GIIF board.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), in collaboration with the National Security, has seized quantities of unregistered cigarette-shaped candy being sold in the Central Business District (CBD) of Accra.
The product, branded as Cigarette Rod Lollipop, was seized during a crackdown on its sale over the weekend.
The FDA reports that the key suspect involved in the sale has been arrested and is in police custody pending investigations into the importation, distribution and sale of the product.
The Authority cautioned that the Cigarette Rod Lollipop is not registered with the FDA, meaning its composition is unknown and could pose a public health risk to consumers.
It further warned that the cigarette-shaped design of the candy could encourage children who use it to develop an interest in smoking.
According to the FDA, this could undermine efforts to discourage smoking, particularly among young people.
The Authority has therefore advised the public not to purchase or use the product under any circumstances.
The FDA reminded the public that under Section 97(1) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), it is an offence to manufacture, import, export, distribute, sell or supply food unless it has been registered by the Authority.
It noted that the Cigarette Rod Lollipop falls under the category of food products.
The FDA has urged anyone who has information about individuals selling the product or other suspected unregistered products to report them to the Authority.
It appealed to persons who have the product in stock to immediately contact the FDA or submit it to the nearest FDA office.
Information leading to the arrest of the importer or other persons behind the importation and distribution of the product, the FDA added, will be treated confidentially and rewarded.
By: Jacob Aggrey
