News
TB is in the air, watch out! – Doctor warns
Any persistent cough lasting more than two weeks should raise suspicion of tuberculosis (TB), a physician specialist at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), Dr Woedem Tettey, has cautioned.
She said individuals who also experience unexplained weight loss, recurrent night sweats and difficulty in breathing should promptly seek medical attention and test for TB.
Dr Tettey gave the advice in an interview with The Spectator at a TB capacity-building workshop for journalists in Accra last Thursday.
Although TB is curable, she noted that delayed diagnosis could lead to serious health complications.
“The earlier the disease is detected, the better the outcome,” she said, explaining that prolonged untreated infection allows the bacteria to cause extensive damage to the lungs and other organs.
Dr Tettey said the lungs were the most affected by TB but the disease could also damage other parts of the body, including the spine, lymph nodes, kidneys and the brain.
“So if someone has been coughing for two weeks and is diagnosed early, that person stands a better chance of avoiding complications than someone who has been coughing for a whole year before it is picked up,” she explained.
She emphasised that early diagnosis, adherence to treatment and completion of medication greatly improved survival and recovery.
Dr Tettey also cautioned the public against stigmatising or discriminating against people diagnosed with TB, stressing that the disease was both preventable and curable.
“TB is in the air, so we are all at risk. That is why it is a public health issue. But with appropriate treatment and strict compliance with medication, a person can be cured and live a normal life,” she said.
Tuberculosis is a contagious airborne disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and primarily affects the lungs. It spreads when people with active TB cough, sneeze or spit, releasing the bacteria into the air.
Health experts advise the public to practise proper cough etiquette, including covering the mouth and nose when coughing, and to seek medical care early when symptoms persist.
By Abigail Annoh
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has dismissed claims that staff salaries at the Presidency have increased under the current administration, describing the allegation as a “flat lie”.
In a response to a post on Facebook, Ofosu Kwakye said the current staff at the Presidency inherited the same salaries and conditions approved for their predecessors.
He argued that once arrears owed to former Article 71 office holders are paid, the total wage bill for the current administration will actually be lower due to a reduction in staff numbers.
“It is in fact a mathematical certainty that the total amount paid in salaries to the current staff will be smaller compared to yours once your arrears are paid because of the reduction in numbers,” he stated.
The Minister noted that delays in paying arrears to past Article 71 office holders are not new.
“Arrears owed to past Article 71 office holders is nothing new or unheard of. Many others before you have suffered same,” he said.
Ofosu Kwakye also stressed that the salaries and conditions in question were approved by Parliament on 6th January 2025, under the previous government.
He pointed out that the Constitution bars any changes to those salaries until a new committee is set up to determine emoluments for Article 71 office holders under the new administration.
“No such committee has been set up by President Mahama and no alteration has been made,” he clarified.
“So on what basis, apart from pure lies and mischief, can a claim of ballooning be made?” he concluded.
The response follows public debate over the size and cost of the presidential staff, with critics alleging a spike in the wage bill.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has initiated plea negotiations with the Attorney General’s office in the GH₵30 million Exim Bank fraud case.
Information available to ghanaiantimes.com.gh indicates that lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi & 2 other accused have formally written to the Attorney General to enter into plea negotiations on the charges of defrauding by false pretenses, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
A plea bargain, under Section 162C of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079), allows an accused person to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a reduced sentence.
The agreement must be approved by the court after the Attorney General assesses factors such as the strength of evidence, recovery of state funds, and public interest.
Wontumi is facing four counts after his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege he used forged documents to secure a GH₵30 million facility from the Ghana Export-Import Bank to finance equipment for his mining company, Akonta Mining Ltd.
The state further charges him with money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted GH₵50 million bail with two sureties. The case is currently before the Accra High Court.
The Attorney General’s office is yet to confirm whether negotiations will proceed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
