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Show compassion, love to prison inmates
The President of the Catholic Bishop Conference, Rev. Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi, has appealed to the management of the Ghana Prisons Service, especially prison wardens to show compassion and love towards inmates in the country’s prisons.
He described people serving jail terms as unfortunate souls who must not be mistreated but accorded some human dignity.
Mr Gyamfi, who is also the Catholic Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese, made the call at the Pulling Out parade and thanksgiving service of the Bono Regional Commander of Prisons and Deputy Director of Prisons, Williams Kulah, who retired on March 28.
Mr Gyamfi called for a reformation and humane application of the penal law system in order not to abuse the rights of inmates.
“Serving jail term should not be seen as a form of punishment but as means to reform. We can all be here if the law was to be applied strictly,” he stated.
The president of the Catholic Bishop Conference further proposed that those who commit petty crimes should be made to undertake community service instead of imprisonment in a bid to decongest the country’s prisons.
“Why do we confine someone who stole a goat, chicken and plantains in prison and not allow them to engage in community service like what other countries do,” he queried.
The Bono Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Addae- Akwaboa, on his part commended Mr Kulah for his exceptional leadership and dedication to duty.
He said the Regional Security Council would miss the invaluable contributions to the Council and wish him well in his endeavours.
In his parting words, Mr Kulah, who served the Service for 34 years, thanked the Director-General of the Service for the opportunity to serve.
The outgoing Commander called for proactive approach in prison management with the necessary support from all stakeholders.
He was born on September 25, 1965 at Nkoranza in the Bono East Region.
He attended Nandom Secondary School and completed his sixth form at Nandom Secondary in 1987, and subsequently completed the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 1992.
He was later enlisted in the Ghana Prisons Service at Officer Cadet in 1996 until his retirement
From Daniel Dzirasah, Sunyani
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
