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We’re all at risk: Diabetes not ‘rich man’s disease’ – Cardiologist
● Dr. Francis Agyekum, Consultant Cardiologist
In the past, anytime the discussion or education about diabetes came up, many people in the low and middle income categories treated it with contempt because it was believed to be a “rich man’s disease.”
Why would anyone want to pay attention to a subject that, in their opinion, does not concern them? They would rather ignore it.
However, a Consultant Cardiologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in the Greater Accra Region, Dr. Francis Agyekum, has said that the days when diabetes was described as a “rich man’s disease” are a thing of the past because everyone can be affected.
He, therefore, advised that people attach seriousness to the subject, as ignorance could make one engage in activities that could lead to getting the disease.
Dr. Agyekum, who is also a Senior Lecturer at the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana Medical School, advised the public that anything a person consumed could affect the individual negatively or positively.
He said it was better to be well-informed so that one could consciously be involved in lifestyles and eating habits that would help them prevent the disease.
He explained that diabetes was a chronic disease which involved spending money on accessing healthcare and care in various forms that could be a long-term.
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of glucose, which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
Dr. Agyekum made the remarks at the Merck Foundation Health Media Training in partnership with the First Lady of Ghana, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation and President of the Merck Foundation’s ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign, and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
The programme was, among other things, aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about prevention and early detection of diabetes, and hypertension.
“Symptoms include excessive thirst (polydipsia), excessive appetite (polyphagia), excessive urination (polyuria), weight loss, vision changes, tingling feet and hands, and fatigue,” he said.
Dr. Agyekum, who is also the Vice President of the Ghana Society of Cardiology, said diabetes, a noncommunicable disease, occured from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural factors, is a leading cause of death worldwide and an emerging global health threat.
While educating the media on Type 2 diabetes, he said it came with risk factors such as a family history of the disease, being 45 years of age or older, being overweight or obese, having high blood pressure, having high cholesterol, smoking, and being physically inactive.
He said to prevent it, there was a need to have a healthy body weight, and for the sake of accuracy and also to be assured of doing the right thing, the public should contact a health facility for the necessary assistance.
The Consultant Cardiologist highlighted the need for persons to be physically active, avoid tobacco use, and have a healthy diet, which ideally should be recommended by a dietician so as not to compromise one’s health.
By Dzifa Tetteh Tay
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Isaac Batsa, the constituency secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the news, which has shocked the local political community.
Mr.Awuku praised the late NDC secretary for his bipartisan approach to local governance.
He noted that despite their different political affiliations, Batsa consistently rose above party lines to serve the constituency with diligence.
The MP revealed that the news was particularly shocking given that he had last interacted with Batsa just three days prior on Saturday.
Concluding his statement, Sammy Awuku extended his heartfelt condolences to Batsa’s family, the constituency and regional executives, and the entire NDC fraternity, wishing the deceased peaceful eternal rest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Attorney General charges Chairman Wontumi and two others over alleged GH¢18.7 million Ghana Exim Bank fraud
The Office of the Attorney General has charged Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of funds from the Ghana Export-Import Bank for a farming project.
The charges were brought against Chairman Wontumi, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, who is currently at large, and Wontumi Farms Limited.
According to court documents released by the Attorney General’s office, Chairman Wontumi, identified as the first accused person, allegedly approached the Ghana Exim Bank in January 2018 for financial support to undertake a large-scale farming project.
The prosecution said he applied for a GH¢19 million facility on behalf of Wontumi Farms Limited and claimed that the company had secured a 100,000-acre parcel of land for the proposed farming venture.
The Attorney General alleged that documents submitted together with the application contained false information.
According to the prosecution, one of the documents presented as a board resolution letter was dated January 23, 2018, but referred to a board resolution supposedly passed on December 9, 2017, four days before the company was officially incorporated on December 14, 2017.
The prosecution further stated that the accused persons also submitted a project proposal claiming that 2,500 hectares of the proposed farm would employ about 6,000 families, representing nearly 38,000 individuals.
Court documents indicate that the Ghana Exim Bank later approved an GH¢18.7 million facility made up of loans and grants for the project.
The facility was reportedly intended for the purchase of agricultural machinery, working capital, staff costs and consultancy services.
According to investigators, the bank disbursed more than GH¢14.3 million to the company between January and March 2018.
However, investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office of the Attorney General allegedly found that the proposed farming activities were never carried out.
The prosecution said the accused persons neither purchased the agricultural machinery nor secured the land they claimed to own for the project.
Investigators also alleged that Chairman Wontumi later submitted a document to the bank as proof that the company had purchased agricultural machinery worth GH¢4 million.
However, investigations reportedly established that the document was originally a pro-forma invoice from KAS-SAMA Enterprise and not an actual receipt.
According to the Attorney General’s office, the inscription “Pro-forma Invoice” was allegedly altered and replaced with the word “Receipt” before it was submitted to the bank.
The prosecution further alleged that Chairman Wontumi withdrew large sums from the company’s accounts and used the funds for personal expenses and investments in other businesses.
The Attorney General stated that attempts by the bank to recover the money were unsuccessful.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office reportedly began investigations into the matter in March 2025.
Chairman Wontumi was later arrested, cautioned and officially charged on May 14, 2026.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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