News
Smoke from wood fuel harmful to pregnant women
A woman smoking fish the traditional way
The Sekyere South District Health Promotion Officer, Ashanti Region, Mr Joseph Asore, has warned that wood fuel smoke poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women.
He said prolonged exposure to smoke from charcoal and firewood could increase the risk of low birth weight and infant mortality.
It could also exacerbate underlying health conditions such as asthma and lead to respiratory tract infections, reduced lung function and even heart failure.
Speaking at the National Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) awareness and sensitisation campaign in Jamasi, Mr Asore said,” pregnant women are particularly at high risk, putting their lives and their unborn children at risk.”
”In most cases, it affects babies to the extent that it becomes visible in their weight. The normal weight of a newborn starts from 2.5kg, but due to these risks, some children are born weighing less, which has lasting implications for them from an early stage,“ he explained.
The national campaign, being executed in collaboration with the Oil Sustainability Programme (OSP), an initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Energy, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and Digicraft Advertising/Brand Management, includes market sensitisation, community durbar and town-hall meetings.
A community durbar was held at the Jamasi Community Centre, where participants were urged to support the initiative.
Speaking at the event, the Assistant Headmaster of Administration at Adu Gyamfi Senior High School and Chairman of the occasion, Mr Emmanuel Eshun, praised the NPA’s CRM, calling it a valuable opportunity.
“This initiative allows you to easily exchange your old cylinder for a new filled cylinder at an exchange point, making it a hassle-free process that benefits everyone.”
He said smoke from wood fuel was harmful to pregnant women, calling on all to use LPG.
The Twafohene of Jamasi, Nana Kofi, expressed his appreciation to the NPA and partners for bringing the awareness to Jamasi and its environs.
“We thank all of you for bringing this durbar to Jamasi. Our forests have been severely damaged by fires, and we welcome the introduction of gas as a safer alternative for cooking, which I believe will help protect our forests and environment,” he added.
In a presentation on CRM, a Supervisor from the Gas Directorate of the NPA, Johnson Gbagbo Jnr, gave comprehensive insights into CRM and shed more light on the policy.
Addressing the challenge of accessing gas refilling stations in Jamasi and why CRM was necessary, he said “since there’s no gas refilling station in Jamasi, people travel to Agona to refill their cylinders and incur transportation cost.
The NPA and, by extension, the government has introduced this scheme to bring gas closer to you all. Under this scheme, the exchange points will be at various strategic centres for you to have easy access to gas without spending much or no money at all on transport.”
A short drama was performed to highlight the health risks associated with continuous inhalation of smoke and the need for residents to take immediate action in embracing the CRM and adopting the safe use of LPG.
The Ghana National Fire Service conducted a demonstration on the appropriate actions to take in the event of an LPG-related incident.
The team concluded the regional campaign with a town-hall meeting in Bekwai and interacted with vendors, drivers, and residents in the Kumasi Metropolis, emphasising the importance of safe LPG use and the essence of the CRM.
Addressing consumers at a town-hall meeting in Bekwai, Head of Consumer Services at the NPA, Mrs Eunice Budu Nyarko, urged the public to regularly check the cylinder rubber seals (washers) around the valves and the connecting hoses to see if they were worn out or damaged.
The hoses serve as the gas distribution line between the cylinder and the cooker.
She encouraged consumers not to repair damaged hoses and rubber seals (washers) by themselves but rather take the cylinders to nearest LPG dealers for a safety check and replacement.
Additionally, hoses should be secured with proper hose clips.
Mrs Nyarko urged the public to keep liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders outside the kitchen to prevent explosion and resultant injury, death and property damage.
She said the cylinders should be placed on wooden platforms with roofs to prevent foot ring rusting or damaged from direct sunlight, rain and tampering. –GNA
The National Media Commission has appointed Dr Isaac Okpoti Nai as the new Managing Director of New Times Corporation, publishers of Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers.
In an engagement with staff of the Corporation today, June 5, 2026, Dr.Nai, expressed his appreciation to everyone for holding the forth and contributing to the growth of the company.
He said, his leadership philosophy is based on professionalism, integrity and team work.
The new Managing Director said, he will be on a journey which would require everyone to take ‘ownership’.
” You need to work as though the company belongs to you. You are not doing it for me, take ownership, let’s work as a team,” he stressed.
With this, he said “we will be able to grow and sustain NTC. Let’s respect deadline and time.”
Dr.Nai pleaded with the staff to play their roles effectively to add value to NTC.
The Board led by Prof Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo expressed his excitement and wished the new MD and staff well in the years ahead.
The Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee, Dr.Charity Binka urged the staff to give the new MD their utmost support to help him succeed.
The appointment dated June 5, 2026, was done by the National Media Commission (NMC) In consultation with His Excellency the President of Ghana.
The appointment is in accordance with Article 168 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and section 2(1)(e) of the National Media Commission Act, 1994 (Act 449).
Dr. Isaac Okpoti Nai is a management executive, academic, and corporate leader with over 25 years of professional experience spanning financial management, corporate governance, strategic planning, internal audit, risk management, and organisational development across Ghana and the United Kingdom,.
Before this appointment, Dr. Nai served as General Manager, Finance and Administration at the State Housing Company Limited.
Dr.Nai has held senior leadership positions with the Ghana Integrity Initiative (Transparency International Ghana), Central Region Development Commission, London Borough of Croydon, London Borough of Merton and Ananemantey & Co. His experience covers both public and private sector institutions, including donor-funded organizations, local government authorities, financial institutions, and higher education establishments.
As an academic, he has lectured in Accounting, Finance, Taxation, and Management, contributing to the development of future business leaders and professionals.
Dr. Nai holds a Doctor of Business Administration (Financial Management) from Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom, an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management from the University of Greenwich, and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICA).
Throughout his career, Dr. Nai has been recognised for strengthening financial controls, improving organisational performance, leading transformational initiatives, and providing strategic leadership that delivers sustainable growth and value creation.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
MomsConnectGH marks Mental Health Awareness Day and Mother’s Day with donation to Accra Psychiatric Hospital
As part of activities to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Day and Mother’s Day, MomsConnectGH last Saturday organised a donation drive to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital under its outreach initiative, The Hannah Project.
The initiative formed part of the organisation’s broader commitment to supporting vulnerable groups in society while creating awareness around mental health challenges, particularly those affecting women and mothers.
The donation included essential supplies and welfare items for patients at the hospital.
Speaking during the donation, Co-Partner of MomsConnectGH, Elizabeth Owusu-Boadi, said the initiative was inspired by the need to show compassion and support to people facing mental health challenges, especially women and mothers.
She noted that many women continue to struggle silently with mental health conditions such as postpartum depression.
“Postpartum depression is one of the mental health issues many women go through, yet it is not spoken about enough. Many mothers suffer in silence because of stigma, lack of awareness, and limited support systems,” she said.
Mrs Owusu-Boadi explained that the decision to visit the Accra Psychiatric Hospital was intentional and aimed at reminding patients that they are loved, valued, and not forgotten.
“We wanted to come here not just with donations, but with kindness, hope, and support for the patients and staff here,” she added.
She also called on the government, civil society organisations, and private institutions to increase support for psychiatric healthcare facilities across the country.
“Mental healthcare is just as important as physical healthcare. We all have a role to play in supporting mental health institutions and creating more awareness around these issues,” she stated.
Head of Public Relations at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Peggy Asiedu Ekremet, thanked MomsConnectGH for the gesture and encouraged the public to pay more attention to mental health.
“Mental health issues can affect anyone. Seeking help is a sign of strength and not weakness. We encourage people to speak up and seek professional support when they need it,” she said.
MomsConnectGH said The Hannah Project forms part of its broader mission to build a supportive community for mothers while impacting lives positively through outreach and wellness initiatives.
The group also expressed appreciation to all individuals, partners, and organisations who contributed to the success of the donation exercise.
