News
Cut in USAID funding: Uncertainty, fear grip health workers, patients in N/R
In the remote village of Karaga, a midwife at the local health centre is running out of options.
The centre, which serves hundreds of women and children, has been severely affected by the recent suspension of USAID funding.
Without essential medical supplies, Fati and her colleagues are compelled to take difficult, sometimes heartbreaking decisions.
“Just last week, we had to send a pregnant woman to another facility miles away because we didn’t have the right drugs to stabilise her condition,” she says with frustration in her voice. “We don’t know how long we can keep going like this,” she added.
Fati’s story is one of many unfolding across Northern Ghana, where USAID-funded programmes provide crucial support for maternal health, malaria treatment, family planning, and HIV/AIDS care.
The sudden funding halt announced last week has sparked widespread fear and uncertainty among health workers and residents, who now face the grim reality of a potential healthcare crisis.
Mohammed Karim, HIV patient and a father of five, worries about his life and that of his children.
“I am afraid in some few days to come, my health would deteriorate because without medicine, what are we supposed to do? We rely on the clinic, but now even the nurses are helpless,” he laments.
“Our lives will be miserable if no intervention is made. What are we going to do with all this stigma around us?” she asks with a chilly voice.
Health officials have warned that if no immediate action was taken, the suspension could lead to a surge in preventable deaths.
A Health worker (name withheld), describes the situation as dire.
“Many of our facilities are dependent on USAID-supported supplies. Without them, we will see increased maternal and infant mortality, more malaria cases, and disruptions in HIV/AIDS treatment,” he explained.
“As you can see, all these women are here for medication and other supplies for their children, but with the directive by President Donald Trump in stopping the distribution of medical supplies they are stranded,” he added.
The impact is already being felt. Health centres are reporting dwindling stocks of antimalarial drugs, contraceptives, and HIV test kits. Without urgent intervention, experts warn that years of progress in public health could be reversed.
In response, President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Finance to explore ways to bridge the financial gap left by the USAID funding cut.
However, no clear timeline has been provided for when alternative funding might materialise. In the meantime, local health authorities and international organisations are scrambling to find emergency solutions.
For parents like Hajaratu, a mother of four, the situation is unbearable. “This is a matter of life and death. We need help now!” she pleads from the overcrowded health centre.
As uncertainty looms, communities across northern Ghana can only hope that aid arrives before the situation spirals out of control.
From: Geoffrey Buta, Karaga
News
Cake Tekniks holds 59th graduation ceremony
About 30 students on Sunday graduated from the 59th graduation ceremony of Cake Tekniks International, a privately-owned modern cake designing and sugar craft school in Accra.
During the ceremony, all graduates were presented with certificates while 13 of them also received professional diploma.
The founder of Cake Tekniks International, Mrs Jane Addo, said her outfit was dedicated to providing world standard skills, knowledge and hands-on training necessary for one to succeed worldwide in the culinary industry.
She encouraged the students to embrace the opportunities, challenges and experiences, mindful of the fact that they are well-equipped.
“Hold your heads up while you build a goodwill between your clients and yourselves,” she added.
Mrs Addo said the school was passionate about fostering the culture of creativity, motivation and excellence with the belief that every student had the potential to make a lasting impact in the culinary world.
The founder and leader of QA Consult, Mr Johnson Opoku-Boateng, said graduation was a witness to the unveiling of talents, passion and hard work and testament to months of dedication and hands-on-learning.
He urged the graduands to ensure that their cakes were safe and good for human health and that their success would be dependent on how well they serve, create and grow.
The event also saw the exhibition of cakes and pastries by the students.
receiving her certificate
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
Debutant Bella Agyemang lauded for Box Office ‘Magic’
New producer, Bella Agyemang, has been hailed by Silverbird Cinemas and other industry players for her Box Office ‘Magic’ over the weekend.
Bella’s ‘Check In’ movie has received praise for being the first to sell at the cinemas this year.
Speaking to The Spectator, Sales and Marketing Lead at Silverbird Cinemas Ghana, Nana Kwame Obiri-Tete said, for a debutant, Bella Agyemang did fantastically well in her maiden premiere.
He said he was proud of Bella Agyemang’s effort in getting people to show up, adding that she engaged in a lot of marketing activities.
He said her marketing activations on the streets, coupled with other Public Relations endeavours, pointed in the right direction.
“With what she has done, it shows that Bella has a big future. You might have a good product, but if you fail to market it, you cannot get people to patronize. Bella put in a lot of work, which is why she was able to draw a lot of people to the premiere,” Obiri-Tetteh said.
Bella Agyemang, on her part, expressed appreciation to fellow actors, her team, media personalities and all stakeholders who supported her effort ahead of the premiere.
The much-awaited star-studded Ghanaian comedy movie ‘Check-In’ premiered at Silverbird Cinemas on April 12, 2025.
The movie tells a story of chaos and a blackout at a secluded hotel, and amidst these, a resourceful attendant must unravel hidden connections between guests and restore peace before secrets tear them apart.
The movie, produced by Bella Agyemang, featured Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD), Clemento Suarez, Jeneral Ntatia, Priscilla Opoku-Agyeman, Felicia Osei, Gideon Kojo Boakye, Clinton Odoi, Fiifi Jefferson Pratt, and Gabriel Hogan among others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
