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Seek medical rather than spiritual care for children with signs of disability
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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.
Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
