News
Seek medical rather than spiritual care for children with signs of disability
Parents and family members have been cautioned against the practice of consulting spiritualists instead of Specialists when they see signs of disability in their children.
A 42-year-old deaf student of the GH Media School, Miss Nukunu Akusika Deku said swift medical attention could save such children from permanently becoming disabled.
In an interview with The Spectator through a questionnaire, she blamed the society for making many children disabled because some parents had spent much time seeking spiritual attention rather than medical attention.
Ms Deku said some conditions needed either surgery, physiotherapy, one form of treatment or guidance to correct the defect but some parents instead devoted their time and money moving from one place to the other seeking spiritual help and came to the hospital as the last resort when the situation had worsened.
She disclosed that she was not born deaf but at the age of two, she fell and in the process hit her forehead on the floor resulting in her deafness.
She was of the opinion that if her parents had concentrated much in getting her the needed specialist attention, she could have escaped her current disability, “even though my family tried hard for me”.
The GH Media student said she was not against seeking spiritual help but medical attention was equally key because God could send the solution through the doctors.
“We also deserve love and care because it is not a choice we made. Disability could also happen to anybody regardless of age, sex or status in society,” she emphasised.
She said empowerment of disabled children was critical because it made them confident and as well gave them the opportunity to also contribute their quota to society.
Ms Deku was of the view that the society would rob itself of talents if disabled persons were discarded because they also had what it takes to help in the development of their communities.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
INCREASING spate of road accidents, high rate of teenage pregnancies are worrying health issues confronting health workers in the Amansie South district of the Ashanti region. Road accident cases accounted for about 80 per cent of emergency cases in 2025, while a total of 728 teenage pregnancies were recorded in the district during the same period.
Mr Ofosu Kwabi Nasas, the District Director of Health Services, who announced these worrying trends in the district, said five deaths were recorded in these road accidents.
• Bishop Owusu Akyeaw
He was speaking at the 2025 annual performance review meeting of the health directorate at Manso-Adubia.
Mr Nasas expressed concern over the high rate of motor accidents in the district, attributing part of the problem to the poor state of road networks.
He said the dilapidated roads did not only contribute to accidents but also delayed timely access to healthcare services.
He therefore, appealed to the government to prioritise road rehabilitation within the district to help reduce accidents and improve emergency response.
Mr Nasas said the district recorded 728 cases of teenage pregnancies in 2025, describing the situation as alarming and a significant public health concern.
He urged parents and guardians to intensify supervision and guidance of their children to help curb the growing trend.
He emphasised that, stronger parental involvement, community education, and collaboration among stakeholders would be essential in addressing the issue and safeguarding the future of young girls in the district.
The Health Director further lamented the challenges facing healthcare workers in the district, particularly the high cost of accommodation because of the area’s active mining activities.
He explained that, high rent had made it difficult for many health professionals to secure affordable housing, forcing some to request for transfers to other districts.
He appealed to the government and relevant authorities to consider providing housing support for health workers to retain skilled personnel and ensure effective healthcare delivery.
In addition to housing challenges, Mr Nasas noted that, the district was currently facing a shortage of healthcare personnel.
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News
Ladies in Parliamentary Service, Women Caucus interact with Street Academy children to commemorate IWD
THE Ladies in Parliamentary Service (LIPS) in collaboration with the women’s caucus of parliament have paid a visit to the Street Academy in Accra to interact with the children and assess the needs of the institution.
The visit formed part of LIPS activities to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) with the children of the academy.
It also formed part of efforts to advance the objectives for this year’s theme which is “give to gain.”
The visit also afforded the lawmakers the opportunity to understand the challenges facing the academy, as they toured the various departments within the academy.
They shared lunch packs to the children and also interacted with them.
Speaking during the visit, the Board Chair of the Academy, Ms Lydia Sackey Addo, said the interaction gave the children and management the opportunity to share their experiences and challenges with the visiting delegation.
Ms Sackey Addo noted that the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North Ms Ewurabena (Right) with other members of the women caucus of parliament interacting with the children
academy played a critical role in nurturing children who might otherwise be excluded from formal education and society.
She added that the visit would help draw attention to the importance of supporting such institutions to ensure vulnerable children were given the opportunity to learn and develop their talents.
The Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Ataa Lartey, also expressed appreciation to the Women’s Caucus for the visit, describing it as a source of motivation for both staff and students.
He explained that the academy worked to develop the talents of children who had previously lived on the streets and helped reintegrate them into society through education and skills training.
Ataa Lartey said although the academy had made progress over the years, it continued to face several challenges, particularly with feeding.
“Our major challenge is feeding the children. Some of them come from very difficult backgrounds and when they are hungry, it becomes difficult for them to concentrate in class,” he said.
“When a child is fed, they are able to concentrate and understand what is being taught in the classroom,” he added.
Ataa Lartey appealed to individuals, organisations and government institutions to support the academy, particularly in providing food and teaching and learning materials for the children.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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