News
Sickle Cell Anaemia Relief International launched
Sickle Cell Anaemia Relief International has been launched to commemorate this year’s World Sickle Cell Day celebration in Ghana.
The initiative is aimed at touching lives and making society better for people living with sickle cell.
Speaking at the virtual launch on June 19, 2020, the Executive Director, Mr Maxwell Dodd reiterated the need to tell the real and personal life stories as well as shed light on the challenges faced by carriers.
“We should not only shed light but support financially and that is what the Sickle Cell Anaemia Relief International intends to do,” he revealed.
He added that, “We hope that through our projects, we can touch more lives and make society better for all sickle cell carriers whilst putting eternal smiles on their faces.”
The theme for this year’s World Sickle Cell Day celebration was, “Shine the light on sickle cell”, which primarily is to create more societal awareness on this public health disease and the challenges the carriers, family and care givers face.
World Sickle Cell Day was established by the United Nation’s General Assembly in 2008 in order to increase the awareness about the sickle cell disease (SCD) and its cure among the general public. It was first celebrated on June 19, 2009.
According to the World Health Organisation, SCD, which affects over millions of people worldwide including adults and children, is one of the main causes of premature death among children under the age of five in various African countries.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The MP for Old Tafo, Vincent Assafuah, has criticised what he describes as an attempt by the President to influence the work of Parliament in the ongoing debate over the future of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
On his facebook post in response to recent developments, Assafuah argued that those who previously claimed he did not understand the separation of powers must now reconsider their position.
He noted that the current situation shows the President trying to direct Parliamentarians on how to carry out their duties, a move he believes challenges the very principles those critics defended.
Assafuah urged the President to restrain the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Sai, following the widespread public backlash over moves linked to the possible scrapping of the OSP.
He stressed that the case currently before the court should be withdrawn, describing it as unnecessary.
He referenced Section 4 of the OSP Act, explaining that all prosecutions by the Office of the Special Prosecutor must be authorised by the Attorney General, whose powers he described as sacrosanct.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Presidency has addressed a social media report claiming that some visiting African American tourists were approached by people pretending to be police officers.
In a statement, the office noted that such information can cause fear among visitors, especially those travelling from the diaspora during the festive season.
It assured the public that Ghana treats all reports concerning the safety of travellers with urgency.
According to the statement, the Ghana Police Service and the Cyber Security Authority have begun a full investigation to verify the story and identify anyone involved.
The office emphasised that thousands of visitors arrive in the country at this time of year, and every traveller deserves to feel safe and respected.
The Diaspora Affairs Office reaffirmed Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful and welcoming destination.
It added that all security and intelligence agencies are working together to ensure the country remains a trusted and enjoyable place for visitors exploring its culture, heritage and beauty.
The update was issued by Kofi Okyere Darko, Director of Diaspora Affairs.
By: Jacob Aggrey
