News
Zoomlion to fumigate 106 police facilities in E/R
A total of 106 police facilities in the Eastern Region are expected to be disinfested and disinfected by the Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL) in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service.
The exercise, which will last for eight days, was part of measures by the Ghana Police Service to fight and contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.
All police stations including the various cells, police training schools, barracks, offices, would be covered in the fumigation exercise.
Launching the exercise, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Eric Kwakye Darfour in a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy commended the Ghana Police Service for collaborating with Zoomlion Ghana to fumigate all police facilities and barracks as a way to control the spread of the virus.
He stated that the coronavirus, which had brought the whole world to its knees was real, hence the need to prevent and slow down the transmission through such exercises.
He revealed that the Eastern Region had recorded 108 cases with 88 recoveries with no deaths, advising the public to continue to be informed and protect themselves by adhering to all safety protocols including hand washing, use of sanitiser, and practicing respiratory etiquette among others to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
He urged all police officers in the region to fully collaborate with Zoomlion Ghana to ensure a successful exercise.
For his part, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Mr Afful Boakye Yiadom said he was confident that the exercise which would cover all police facilities would further enhance their protection against the virus.
“All officers in the region have been instructed to grant Zoomlion Limited easy access to our premises for the exercise,” he said assuring that the police would collaborate fully.
He revealed that since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the Eastern Regional Police Command had adhered strictly to all safety protocols to ensure a virus-free man, families, and the inmates in the various cells throughout the region, adding no infection had been recorded.
“No infection has also been recorded among the prisoners in our custody,” he said assuring that they would do their best to ensure strict adherence of all safety protocols.
The Eastern Regional Public Relations Manager of Zoomlion, Mrs Faustina Shardey said the exercise would be carried out in all the regional headquarters formations in the eight divisions in all 33 Municipal and District Assemblies in the region.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
