News
VRA hospital campaigns against cervical cancer
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• Dr Valmont(Inset) addressing participants at the durbar
The Volta River Authority (VRA) Hospital in the Aboadze enclave of the Western Region has set itself to eradicate cervical cancer by 2100, in tandem with World Health Organisation (WHO) targets.
As part of this, the hospital has intensified public education includ ing durbars, medical conference among staff, screening and vaccination of women against the disease that killed about 47,500 in 2020, globally.
On Tuesday, staff of the hospital assisted by management, organised a float from Aboadze through Abuesi, Shama and Inchaban to Aboadze, for durbar to climax the cervical cancer awareness Month which falls on January each year. This year’s theme is “Get informed, get screened, get vaccinated”.
The Medical Superintendent of VRA Hospital, Aboadze, Dr Taurus Valmont, noted that, although, much had been said about cancer of the cervix, it remained a major cause of cancer death in the world.
Dr Valmont said the fight against cervical cancer had been a major objective of VRA medical directorate as it had intensified screening, vaccination and treatment of precancerous conditions at its health establishments.
“The cost of screening is reduced by 50 percent. Screening is done at the VRA Hospital every Wednesday, although, vaccination can be done on every working day. I would like to reiterate the commitment or the VRA to improve health delivery to the communities in the districts.
“I have to say that cervical cancer is still a major killer in our communities. Let’s all come together, get informed and ensure that our women are screened and vaccinated to help eradicate cancer of the cervix,”he said.
District Director of Health, Ms Naa Deide Okai, explained that cervical cancer affected the entrance of the vagina and the uterus, stressing “it could be eradicated.”
She said the cancer affected women and that almost 99 percent of cases were due to human tumour virus commonly transmitted through sex.
Cervical cancer, Ms Okai told the gathering, was the sixth most commonly cancers in women and that 89,500 got infected in 2020.
She advised women aged 30- 45 on the need to be screened and also repeat screening periodically, saying that the girl child between ages nine and 14, could also get vaccinated.
For 2023, she said, the WHO conference held in Cairo, Egypt, on January 13 , had set a 70 percent screening coverage for women between age 35 and 45 and 90 percent treatment for cervical cancer and management for women with cancer by 2030.
On preventive measures, she streesed “safe sex practices including abstinences,being faithful to one’s partner and the use of condom if one cannot abstain.
The Queen mother of Aboadze, Nana Korbabo III, praised the VRA campaign to reduce cervical cancer and encouraged women to participate in sensitisation programmes.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Aboadze
Lawyers for former NAFCO Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, say they will file an appeal despite a High Court directive for the Attorney General to amend two counts of defrauding by false pretences in the ongoing case.
The court on Wednesday ordered the AG to amend the two charges in the case involving the former NAFCO CEO and co-accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel for Hanan Aludiba, Godfred Yeboah Dame, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he said.
The case is part of ongoing prosecutions linked to alleged financial irregularities at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO).
The High Court’s directive means the prosecution will have to revise aspects of the charge sheet before the trial proceeds further.
Background
Counsel for former NAFCO CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, led by Godfred Yeboah Dame, filed an application seeking to have the charges against their client dismissed.
They contend the charges are fundamentally flawed and violate his right to a fair trial.
The State, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the application, maintaining that the charges are valid and that the accused ought to face trial.
Lawyers for Hanan’s wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, led by Augustine Obour, who would also benefit if the application succeeded, yielded their time to the lead counsel for the first accused.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
High Court rejects dismissal request in NAFCO Case, orders prosecution to amend 2 of 16 Charges Against former CEO
The High Court has declined a request by lead counsel for former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, to dismiss charges against him, but has directed the Attorney General to amend two of the 16 counts filed against him.
Presiding Judge, Justice Francis Apangabonu Achibonga, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, ruled today that while the prosecution must revise Counts 9 and 14, the trial will proceed on all charges.
This means the trial of the couple will continue on a combined 20 counts.
Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba is facing 16 counts, while his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, is facing 4 counts. Both pleaded not guilty on May 18, 2026 and are currently on bail.
Godfred Yeboah Dame, former Attorney General and lead counsel for the first accused, had argued for the dismissal of the charges. Reacting after the ruling, he said the decision was not sound and indicated plans to file an appeal.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he stated.
Augustines Obuor is lead counsel for the second accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni, whiles the Republic was represented by Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney General.
The case relates to alleged financial irregularities at NAFCO and is being closely watched as part of government’s efforts to hold public officials accountable.
The court has directed the prosecution to effect the amendments to Counts 9 and 14 before the trial proceeds further.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
