News
Twenty-two patients receive free GH¢2 million heart procedures at Korle Bu Cardio Centre
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-22-at-12.39.23.jpeg&description=Twenty-two patients receive free GH¢2 million heart procedures at Korle Bu Cardio Centre', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-22-at-12.39.23.jpeg&description=Twenty-two patients receive free GH¢2 million heart procedures at Korle Bu Cardio Centre', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Twenty-two patients with severe heart rhythm disorders have received life-saving cardiac device procedures worth about GH¢2 million through a partnership between the Mount Carmel Foundation, the National Cardiothoracic Centre (NCTC) at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) and Africa World Airlines.
The procedures were carried out during a five-day medical mission by a team of specialists from Ghana and the United States.
Speaking at a debriefing session after the mission, the Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Dr. Kow Entsua-Mensah, said the success of the programme was made possible through teamwork involving cardiac surgeons, cardiologist-electrophysiologists, anaesthesiologists, nurses, radiographers, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists and other support staff.
He explained that the close collaboration among the different teams enabled them to manage the complex procedures safely, adding that all 22 patients recovered well and were ready to be discharged by the end of the mission.
Dr. Entsua-Mensah said the partnership between the Ghanaian and American medical teams would continue beyond the outreach programme.
According to him, the collaboration will not only provide specialised treatment for patients but also strengthen local expertise through training and knowledge sharing to improve advanced cardiac care in Ghana.
He also assured patients who were unable to undergo the procedures during the mission that they would still receive treatment at the Cardio Centre when they are ready.
One of the beneficiaries, Juliet Asabea Awuku, who was living with heart failure caused by peripartum cardiomyopathy, said the successful Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) device procedure had given her a new chance at life.
She expressed gratitude to the medical teams from Ghana and the United States for the support, saying the financial relief from the intervention had lifted a huge burden from her family.
“My family and I are profoundly grateful to the dedicated local medical team here in Ghana, as well as the diaspora specialists who travelled to support us. May God richly bless you all for your gift of health and hope,” she said.
The team lead from the Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Kamel Addo, said the mission focused on providing advanced procedures, including Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT), Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) and left bundle branch area pacing for patients with severe heart rhythm abnormalities who could not afford such treatment.
He praised the staff of the National Cardiothoracic Centre for their discipline, professionalism and teamwork, saying their commitment made it possible to complete all the procedures within the five-day period.
Dr. Addo added that support from the Mount Carmel Foundation helped reduce the cost of the devices and procedures, making specialised cardiac care accessible to patients who would otherwise have been unable to pay for the treatment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
