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Speaker of Parliament Calls for Collective Action to End Corruption.
In a compelling keynote address at the Governance and Anti-Corruption Summit organized by the Bright Future Alliance, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin emphasized the urgent need for Ghana to break the pervasive chains of corruption.
Highlighting the destructive impact of corruption on national development, he noted that millions of cedis are lost daily to illicit activities, compromising essential public services and undermining democratic institutions.
Bagbin stressed that corruption disproportionately affects the poor and widens inequality, thereby stalling efforts towards poverty alleviation and economic growth.
The Speaker pointed out that Ghana is losing billions of dollars annually due to corruption, tax evasion, and illicit financial flows.
Citing reports such as the Justice Anim Report of 1970 and recent data from the World Bank and Auditor-General, he illustrated the significant resource leakages that hinder the country’s progress.
He referenced the U$12 million paid for the Pwalugu Multi-Purpose Dam when no work had been completed, symbolizing how corruption robs the nation of opportunities to improve living conditions and reduce poverty.
Speaket Bagbin underscored the importance of civic engagement and institutional reforms, noting Parliament’s efforts to strengthen oversight through various committees and increased transparency initiatives.
He highlighted new measures like the establishment of Departments of Public Engagement and Citizen’s Bureau, designed to amplify citizen participation and ensure government accountability.
However, he emphasized that building a culture of integrity must start from individual homes, schools, and communities, advocating for values such as honesty and ethical leadership to be ingrained from a young age.
Concluding with a call to action, the Speaker urged Ghanaian youth to become active participants in the anti-corruption fight.
He announced the recent inauguration of the National Integrity Award Scheme aimed at rewarding integrity and promoting ethical behavior across society.
Bagbin stressed that empowering the next generation is a shared responsibility and emphasized that young people are already leaders today.
He called on all stakeholders to work collectively through reforms, civic vigilance, and education to create a Ghana free of corruption, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future for generations to come.
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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
