News
Banahene Specialist Hospital to provide affordable healthcare
Banahene Specialist Hospital has officially been opened with state-of-the-art equipment to provide affordable healthcare for Ghanaians.
The ceremony which took place at the premises of the hospital at Sakumono, on Saturday, July 9, 2022, brought together medical practitioners, traditional leaders, the clergy and many others.
The Hospital which is specialised in assorted medical conditions has various facilities which would create jobs for varied professionals.
The Paramount Chief of SefwiAnhwiasoPresident of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi, congratulated the Banahene brothers for their selfless contribution to healthcare delivery in Ghana and beyond.
He said the gesture was a demonstration of how Ghanaians abroad could contribute to the economic development of the country, considering the consistent call by government for those in the diaspora to come and invest back home.
That, he said, would have multiple effect on the growth of the country, and therefore urged all stakeholders to play their roles effectively to ensure the hospital succeeds.
He urged staff of the hospital to eschew all negative attitude which will result in inefficiency and low productivity to encourage others to invest.
He also implored management to lead by good example and motivate workers to give off their best.
The Member of Parliament for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah, said the gesture will ease the pressure on few medical facilities within the Tema enclave and applauded the Banahene brothers for this vision.
He urged the staff to ensure proper maintenance culture and to keep the facilities in good condition.
The Banahene Brothers, founders of the hospital called on Ghanaian medical practitioners living abroad to render their services to Ghanaians at the facility anytime they come home for vacation.
Recounting their challenges, the Banahene Brothers, Ebenezer and Emmanuel Banahene, said they had when growing up, however, their mother strived to cater for them to this height.
According to them, Ghanaians spend about $230 million yearly on Medical Tourism, seeking healthcare abroad, but they believe such money could be invested here in Ghana with the required medical equipment.
The Banahene brothers also announced a free prostrate cancer screening for the month of July, and urged men to take advantage to check their status.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
‘Nipahiamoa’ residents cry for basic social amenities
Residents of a farming community in the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region are living under conditions that directly reflect or connote the name of the township, Nipahiamoa.
The name of the town, Nipahiamoa, when translated directly means ‘humans need help.’
Despite the contribution in ensuring there is sufficient food in not only the region but the country at large, Nipahiamoa lacks basic social amenities to make life enjoyable after their farming activities.
water for the people of Nipahiamoa
According to some of the members of the community that The Spectator spoke to during a visit to the area, they lacked basic needs such as potable water, health post, among others.
This, they claimed, was impacting negatively on their general wellbeing and appealed to authorities to come to their aid.
The Unit Committee chairman of Nipahiamoa, Mr James Najohnbo, told this paper on Thursday that successive governments have neglected the town over the years.
“It is the reason we are where we are today in this era of development. Some people poke fun that our condition is a reflection of the name of the town but I don’t believe that. We have been neglected by governments over the years. There are no government initiatives here,” he explained.
The community, inhabited by over one thousand people, mostly settlers, is located on the Techiman-Kintampo stretch of the Trans-ECOWAS highway which connect from Tema to Mali.
Mr Najohnbo, who conducted this reporter around, revealed that a borehole constructed for the community by the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Major Derrick Oduro, had since broke down, compelling the people to turn to the Bono manso waterfalls which they trek several kilometres for their source of water.
Mr Najohnbo stated that their children are not left out in this challenges as they had to trek to either Manso or Dweneho, about two kilometres to access healthcare and education.
He added that a wooden structure constructed in 1994 currently serves as the only primary school for the community.
“Our kids had to trek several kilometres to Manso to attend school which come at cost to most parents.”
A 30-year old hairdresser, Rebecca Dibenpong, also appealed to authorities to come up with income generating activities to boost economic lives of the people.
She alleged that politicians often claimed they don’t have enough numbers to attract development, hence such initiatives were directed to bigger communities.
Like the name suggest, Nipahiamoa, the community needs urgent attention to make life meaningful for the people who contribute to the national economy by way of their farming activities.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Nipahiamoa
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
