U/W NHIA holds blood donation exercise

A donor during the exercise
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the Upper West Region has mobilised and donated 73 pints of blood to the Upper West Regional Hospital.
The move was to restock the hospital’s blood bank and support health care delivery in the region.
Speaking at the exercise, the Regional Director of the Authority, Mr. Samuel Lobber said the exercise was a way to appreciate the people in the region for trusting the health insurance scheme for 20 years.
He noted that NHIA was committed to supporting healthcare delivery and encouraged the public to patronise blood donation exercises so that lives were saved.
“The exercise is a chance for us the NHIA family to extend our caring touch beyond the realms of healthcare, paperwork and insurance policies. Each pint donated is a testament to our shared values, echoing two decades of genuine care,” he said.
He encouraged individuals and other corporate bodies to embark on more blood donation exercises to prevent patients and pregnant women from getting stranded at the hospitals.
A Medical Laboratory Scientist at the Upper West Regional Hospital, Dr Victor Dery told The Spectator that the hospital has been in need of blood for some time now hence the exercise to restock the blood bank.
He said there was the need to have enough blood at the bank for emergency cases.
A student of the Wa Technical Institute, Abdul Seidu Mohammed who participated in the exercise encouraged the public to patronise blood donation exercises to support healthcare delivery.
From Rafia Abdul Razak, Wa

News
Accra hosts maiden guinea fowl bazaar, showcasing northern Ghana’s culinary heritage

For the first time in its seven-year history, the celebrated Guinea Fowl Bazaar has been brought to Accra, marking a significant expansion of an event that has, for the past six years, been a staple in Tamale.
The two-day cultural and culinary festival, held from May 1–2, drew over 500 patrons and featured nearly 20 vendors, to promote Northern Ghana’s rich food culture particularly guinea fowl delicacies.

Hosted by By Faith Catering Services, the bazaar brought together traditional leaders, cultural groups, food entrepreneurs, and government representatives in a display of heritage and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Angelo Dogbe, the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority underscored the importance of promoting indigenous cuisine as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation. Chiefs from the Northern Region also graced the occasion, lending traditional authority and reinforcing the cultural significance of the festival.



A major highlight of the bazaar was a series of captivating cultural performances representing the diverse tribes of the Northern Region. Attendees were treated to traditional music, dance, and attire, transforming the venue into a lively tapestry of Northern identity and pride.
Vendors expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience in the capital. Many noted increased visibility, networking opportunities, and strong sales throughout the two-day event.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of By Faith Catering Services, Mrs. Matilda Zenabu Pipio described the Accra edition as a strategic move to broaden the reach of the festival and create new economic pathways for vendors and producers from the north.
She announced plans to make the Accra bazaar an annual event, emphasizing its potential to boost employment, promote guinea fowl production, and introduce more Ghanaians to the unique flavours of Northern cuisine.
She said, the event is a platform for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and national unity through food.
She commended partners and called on more organisers to support and invest in initiatives like this.


Meanwhile, the organizers of Guinea fowl Bazaar paid a courtesy call to the Editor of Spectator, Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Mr. David Adadevoh, Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times.
Both editors lauded the initiatives and encouraged the organizers to sustain it.
Organizers for the initiative and called on stakeholders and cooperate bodies to support this good course.
By Geoffrey Buta.
Nutrition
Mother’s Day fried rice with Guinea fowl

Mother’s Day is a celebration to honour mothers and individuals in the society. To commemorate the day tomorrow, The Spectator nutritional page today offers to prepare a sumptuous Guinea fowl meal with an accompanying snack to celebrate our mothers.
Ingredients
-2 cups of cooked rice
-Oil
-2 pounds of Guinea fowl
-1/2 tablespoonful of grinded ginger
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/2 onion
1 cup frozen peas
-3 large carrots
-3 eggs
-3 tablespoonful of soy sauce
-2 tablespoonful of diced green onions
Preparation
-Cut guinea fowl into bite-sized pieces. Add ginger, salt, and garlic and allow it cook for about 2 minutes.
-Fry guinea fowl until it turns golden brown.
-Put a saucepan of fire and add a tablespoonful of oil.
-Stir in diced onion, garlic, and peas and carrots and other vegetables.
-Add rice and stir to coat. Stir occasionally until rice is warmed through.
-Add soy sauce to the rice and stir well
-Remove from heat and serve.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie



