News
Self-medication causes more harm than good — Medical Specialist
Dr Edna Mark Addy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Med Health Centres at Ablekuma Joma,in the Greater Accra Region has cautioned individuals who usually rely on “self medication” to avoid the act, because it has an adverse effect on their health.
According to her, “self-medication is creating more harm than good, in a sense that, it rather worsens one’s ill-health instead of treating or curing the disease.”
She stated that the perceived illness or disease may actually not be the exact diagnosis but rather, a whole different health problem which has absolutely nothing to do with the self medication treatment process.
She gave the advice in an exclusive interview with “The Spectator” at the opening of the two health facilities at Ablekuma CP and Joma last Saturday.
She stressed that when one began to feel unwell, one should not hesitate to consult a physician for treatment in order to prevent the situation from becoming worse.
The Medical Doctor said that self-medication, would become problematic for treatment when the person finally reached the physician for critical or intensive care.
That, she emphasised, made it difficult for medications that have been administered on the patient by the physician to work effectively and cautioned persons who usually took paracetamol to cure their severe headaches and other perceived illnesses, to put a stop to that dangerous act.
Explaining further, she said“when paracetamol is taken, it breaks down in the liver and persons living with liver diseases or heavy alcohol consumers are at the risk of not staying healthier.”
According to her, one may not know the chemical compositions of the drugs they had taken, which would later turn to worry one’s health, adding that, “the risk of self-medication outweighs its intended benefits.”
Dr Mark Addy assured clients who would visit the new clinics at Ablekuma CP and Joma of best of treatments from seasoned health practitioners who would be attending to their health needs.
“We should be cautious about our diet and always eat healthy foods to keep the body functioning well,” she said.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has amended the charges in the ongoing case against former National Petroleum Authority (NPA) Chief Executive, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, and nine others.
The number of counts has risen from 25 to 54 after investigators uncovered new evidence.
The accused are facing trial for alleged large-scale extortion, abuse of public office, and money laundering involving over GH¢291 million and US$332,000.
According to the OSP, the accused persons allegedly extorted huge sums of money from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies under the pretext of carrying out official duties.
The proceeds were reportedly laundered through the purchase of properties and investments in business entities to conceal their source.
The accused persons include Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Jacob Kwamina Amuah, Wendy Newman, Albert Ankrah, Isaac Mensah, Bright Bediako-Mensah, Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah, Propnest Limited, Kel Logistics Limited, and Kings Energy Limited.
The OSP has also seized and frozen several assets, including tanker trucks, fuel stations, houses, apartments, and parcels of land valued at more than GH¢100 million pending the outcome of the trial.
The case, titled The Republic v. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid & 9 Others (Cr/0603/2025), is currently being heard at the Accra High Court.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The National Operations Directorate (NOD) Surveillance Unit, of the Ghana Police Service has arrested a 32-year-old man, Akoto Nelson, for posing as a police officer during a public event at the Black Star Square in Accra.
The suspect was arrested on Sunday, 19th October 2025, by a team of officers deployed to provide security at a musical concert. The team observed the suspect dressed in a police uniform with the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) behaving suspiciously. Upon interrogation, he admitted that he was not a police officer.
Investigations revealed that the suspect impersonated a police officer to gain free entry to the event, claiming he did not have money to pay the entry fee. He further disclosed that the uniform belonged to a deceased Chief Inspector, identified as Gyasi, from whom he obtained the police accoutrements in 2022.
A subsequent search conducted at his residence in Taifa-Ashaiman uncovered several items that were retained as exhibits. These include one toy P99 pistol, one pepper spray, two ZTE mini handsets, one pepper spray pouch, one ZTE charger, one Xinfa cutter knife, some complimentary cards, one voter ID in the name of Akoto Nelson Elikem, and one birth certificate in the name of Nelson Akoto.
Preliminary investigations further established that the suspect works as a security guard and a messenger at a private company. He remains in police custody and will be put before the court.
