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The Spectator to cover 9th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary in Dubai

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Aerial view of African First Ladies who attended the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in 2019

Aerial view of African First Ladies who attended the Merck Foundation

First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in 2019

 Our Online Editor, Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, will depart Accra tomorrow evening for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, to cover the 9th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary which begins on Tuesday, November, 15 to Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

The inauguration session will see more than 16 African First Ladies as Guests of Honour, including Ghana’s First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

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This session would take a critical look at the strategies and impact of Merck Founda­tion Partnership programmes in building healthcare capacity and their role to break infer­tility stigma and support girl education as Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” and “Educating Linda” programmes followed by the questions and answers.

It would be followed by Merck Foundation Health Media Training on November 16, 2022, simultaneously with the scientif­ic sessions.

Also, there would be the Merck Foundation Health Media Training as part of the Foundation’s “More than a Mother” Community Aware­ness Programme to be addressed by medical and media experts to emphasise the important role that media plays to influence the society to create a cultural shift with the aim to break infertility stigma, support girl education, stop gender-based violence, end child marriage, end female genital mutilation, and women empowerment at all levels.

It will also highlight the impor­tance of increasing the awareness of early detection and prevention of diabetes and hypertension.

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More than 6,000 healthcare providers, policy makers, aca­demia, researchers and health media from Sub- Saharan Africa, more than 70 English, French, Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries will attend the two-day conference to benefit from valuable educational and social development sessions by top international experts in various fields.

Countries participating are  Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Can­ada, Central African Republic, Cambo­dia, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, UK, UAE, Russia and Mexico among others.

Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Germany that aims to improve the health and wellbe­ing of people to advance their lives through science and technology.

By Spectator Reporter

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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.

In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.

The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.

According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.

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UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.

The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.

It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.

UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.

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The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.

The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.

Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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NPP suspends Greater Accra campaigns ahead of “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration

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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all aspirants campaigning in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the party’s planned “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration.

The directive was issued by the party’s National Steering Committee in a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the decision forms part of efforts to ensure a strong turnout for the demonstration, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.

The party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m., with participants expected to gather at the Supreme Court in Accra.

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It further directed Regional, Constituency and Polling Station Executives in Greater Accra to work closely to mobilise members and supporters for the event.

“The National Steering Committee is calling on all aspirants currently campaigning across the Greater Accra Region to temporarily suspend their campaign activities on the 5th and 6th of August and join in mobilising support for the upcoming demonstration,” the statement noted.

The NPP appealed to party members and supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the protest.

The demonstration forms part of the party’s response to concerns it has raised over issues relating to Ghana’s democratic governance and the justice system.

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The NPP leadership expressed confidence that party members would cooperate fully to ensure a successful and peaceful event.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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