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Don’t Joke with COVID-19, it is real – Dr Ebenezer Oduro Mensah
The Medical Superintendent at Ga-East Municipal Hospital, one of the frontline hospitals treating coronavirus patients in the country, Dr Ebenezer Oduro Mensah has cautioned Ghanaians against taking the pandemic lightly.
According to him, as a frontliner, and from the patients’ experience, the virus is real, and for that matter, Ghanaians should desist from downplaying the impact on one’s life after contracting the disease.
“COVID-19 exists, a lot of people have been infected with it, and we have unfortunately lost loved ones who would have been alive if not for the virus. Let’s not joke with it, it is real. We should focus on prevention and stay alive,” he said.
Speaking to The Spectator, he appealed to Ghanaians to adhere to the directive to wear face masks to help stop the spread because it is crucial in the combat against the deadly virus.
“When you wear the face mask and you are infected with COVID-19, the likelihood that you will spread the virus is significantly minimised,” he said.
Explaining further, he said, Ghanaians should always remember that the main mode of spread is when one coughs, sneezes, talks or sings, and droplets come out of the mouth or nostrils into the environment.
“Once you are wearing face mask, it is less likely you will spread these droplets to infect others by landing on the face. We should always use our mask once we are out,” he added.
Dr Mensah, said, to overcome the novel virus, Ghanaians should adhere to the protocols, to stay home, avoid crowded areas, wear nose mask, use hand sanitiser and observe personal hygiene among others.
These, he said reduced the risk of contracting the disease, for one to be on the safer side.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
News
Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
