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Review Career Day to capture adolescents – Clinical Psychologist

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• Dr Isaac Newman Arthur

• Dr Isaac Newman Arthur

Career Day has become one of the prominent events in schools in recent times and takes place even in nursery schools.

A Clinical Psychologist Dr. Isaac Newman Arthur has, however, advised educational institutions to review the age targeted for “Career day” cele­brations in schools.

The was originally aimed at creat­ing an opportunity for students to be exposed to careers available to them both locally and internationally on the job market to among others develop their interests.

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Dr. Arthur in an interview with The Spectator recently opined that, though the intentions for career day may be good, educational institutions should reconsider it and make the needed changes.

He said this was to ensure that the children derived the full benefit of it, and also saved cost.

Currently, checks at various stores and dress making shops by this report­er revealed that it costs some par­ents and guardians between GH¢200 and GH¢500 or even more to get the various attires for their children and wards.

Dr. Arthur said the practice cur­rently was losing its relevance to the children as he mentioned that ideally, it should involve adolescents because “they are at the stage of cognitive development where they could understand and meaningfully discuss issues of their own lives and future goals or careers.

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He said the adolescence stage was char­acterised by the development of their own world views, identity and indepen­dence and were able to think both logically and scientifical­ly, and beable to discuss issues with some de­gree of under­standing.

• A child in a career day attire

“They are likely to benefit more from the Career Day than the small chil­dren” he said.

The Clinical Psychologist who is also a Medical Doctor said when Career Day was held for children in lower primary and even kin­dergarten, apart from the fun it created, the children at that stage may not be able to derive any other benefits from the event.

“ It could be organised for that purpose, but not an opportunity for the children to learn or make career choices at that stage. If the goal of Career day is to help them take decisions about the career, then it would not be beneficial at that stage in their lives” he said.

Dr. Arthur suggested that aside wearing the attires of the various professions, counsellors could be in­vited to help guide both parents and adolescents on the right career path.

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He was of the opinion that pupils who were in the Junior High Schools would be a more effective target be­cause they were on their way to the Senior High Schools where they would need to be assisted on the courses to take at that level of education.

He explained that, at that age, they were most likely to understand the practice and actively participate to derive the full benefit of the pur­pose of that occasion.

The Clinical Psychologist said chil­dren below that age would only see it as fun thereby defeating the purpose of the exercise.

Parents could be saved the costs of organising such programmes.

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In an interview with The Spectator, an Accountant, Mr. Patrick Amoah Sarfo said he had been to some schools to talk to some of the children during the event which he believed had made some of them well informed about his profession and that of other communi­ty workers who came.

He observed that, the ages of the children had to be seriously considered because some of them especially those in the nursery schools and even in some cases the lower primary did not appreciate the day as compared with those in the upper primary and junior high schools.

He suggested that schools should not make it compulsory for all students to dress in their future career attires because it put a lot of financial burden on parents and could even make some children develop inferiority complex if they were unable to dress as such.

Another parent, a Fashion Design­er, Ms Clementine Xorlali Tettey said apart from the excitement it brought to the children, she thought its current form did not make it important.

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“ However if modified it will serve a good purpose” she said.

 From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema

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Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

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General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.

Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.

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“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.

He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.

“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.

His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.

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The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.

The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.

In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.

The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.

According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.

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UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.

The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.

It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.

UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.

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The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.

The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.

Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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