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Vice President Opoku-Agyemang Visits Accra New Town Collapse Site
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang this morning visited the Accra New Town Experimental School following the collapse of a multi-storey building on the premises, where she received a detailed briefing on the situation and ongoing rescue efforts.
She was accompanied by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, as well as officials from the Ghana Armed Forces (48 Engineer Regiment), Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, National Ambulance Service, and NADMO.
Rescue efforts have so far led to the recovery of 23 victims, while, tragically, three lives have been lost.
The Vice President commended the swift and coordinated response by emergency services and acknowledged the critical role played by members of the local community, who acted as first responders in the early stages of the incident.
Work is ongoing to fully clear the debris, with operations expected to continue over the coming days.
On behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Vice President extended condolences to the affected families and emphasised the need to go beyond emergency response to address the root causes of such incidents, stressing the importance of strict adherence to building regulations and accountability at all levels.
The Vice President also visited victims receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital, where she was received by the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
At the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), she was joined by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, as she assured victims of Government’s full support during this difficult time.
The Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced that government will introduce a new Loans Act to strictly regulate how borrowed funds are used.
On his facebook page, he explained that the new law will ensure that every loan secured by the country is tied to high impact and value for money investments that benefit Ghanaians.
The minister made this known after signing Ghana’s 11th bilateral debt restructuring agreement with EXIM Bank of India.
According to him, Ghana is making steady progress towards reducing its debt burden, adding that there are clear signs the country is moving away from a high risk of debt distress. He noted that the worst phase of the crisis appears to be over.
He assured that government remains committed to honouring all restructured debt obligations on time while keeping debt sustainability at the centre of its financial decisions.
He stressed that Ghana will not return to a path of unsustainable borrowing.
He added that the new direction will ensure that any money borrowed delivers real and measurable benefits to the people, stressing that every loan must be worthwhile and support national development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former President Nana Akufo-Addo has called on the government to complete and operationalize all stalled Agenda 111 hospital projects to improve healthcare delivery across the country.
He made the appeal during the centenary celebration of the Kyebi Government Hospital, organized by the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional State yesterday.
According to him, completing the hospitals will significantly improve access to quality healthcare, especially in underserved areas.
He stressed that healthcare should not be politicized, as it affects every citizen regardless of political affiliation.
“Agenda 111 must be continued. It is about continuity, not disruption,” he said.
The Agenda 111 initiative was launched during his administration to construct 111 hospitals nationwide.
The project includes district hospitals, regional hospitals in newly created regions, specialized psychiatric facilities, and rehabilitation centers.
He admitted that some of the projects could not be completed before the end of his term but noted that many were at advanced stages.
He explained that the initiative was designed to address gaps in the country’s healthcare system and ensure equitable access to medical services.
The former president highlighted the importance of innovation in healthcare delivery, citing the use of medical drone services to distribute essential supplies such as vaccines, blood, and medicines to hard-to-reach communities.
He praised healthcare workers for their dedication, especially during challenging periods, saying they played a crucial role in sustaining the system.
He urged the current administration to build on the progress made, emphasizing that “health is not partisan” and that diseases do not discriminate.
By: Jacob Aggrey
