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Elephantiasis still prevalent in eight districts… efforts are made to contain it – Experts
Over 120 million people are infected with Elephantiasis, according to WHO
What started as a painful pinch on the leg of Madam AkuaAbokumaa, 20 years ago has now become a bigger swelling, despite numerous efforts to ease the bulge and the throbbing pain associated with it.
The 69-year-old woman is virtually immobile.
Pain is etched on her face as she struggles to walk around the mud houses in her remote village at Asemko, in the West Ahanta Municipal Assembly close to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the Western Region.
She is among over 120 million people who are infected and 40 million who are disfigured or incapacitated by microscopic larvae and microfilariae, which are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Madam Abokumaa said she had spent thousands of cedis generated from her small subsistence farming to visit hospitals and traditional healers in an attempt to treat the deadly sickness.
But the situation keeps getting worse.
Narrating her sad story to this reporter, she said that most of the traditional healers she visited,after taking money from her as consultation fees, told her that she had been bewitched.
Madam Abokumaa accused some of the healers of making the swelling worse, after making cuts on the leg with a razor blade and covering them with white powder.
She said the treatment rather caused more acute infections that spread to her entire body leaving her bed-bound and feverish.
“I have lost so much and even sold properties to pay the healers, or to get a taxi to the hospital when the pain is unbearable. Now it’s getting worse and my other leg is becoming swollen. It sometimes feels like I might just die,” she said.
Another person suffering a similar fate is 56-year-old John Asmah, who developed the early stages of elephantiasis as an infant. The father of six can no longer work and struggles to pay her children’s secondary school fees, let alone medical bills.
According to him, the loneliness had wanedhis confidence. His family abandoned him when the swelling started in because they saw him as a disabled person.
“I sometimes feel like I’m the only one with this problem, people walking by always laugh at me. Sometimes when I meet a group of people, they just stand there staring at my leg, asking if I’m cursed,” he said.
MrBright Alomatu, the Desk Officer for Lymphatic Filariasis and a biologist of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme (NTDP) of Ghana in an interview said:“Lymphatic filariasis (LF), commonly known as elephantiasis, is a disabling and disfiguring disease where the lymph vessels and nodes are damaged by mosquito parasites and may result in massive lymphoedema.”
He said it was a widespread and major public health problem in many developing countries with warm and humid climates, including Ghana.
He said with the implementation of the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) with various support, significant progress had been made towards the elimination of the disease as a public health problem.
He said that out of the 114 hotspot districts, 106 had been contained leaving eight districts namely; Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole in the Savannah Region, Ellembelle in the Western Region, Sunyani West in the Bono Region, Lawra, Wa East and West in Upper West Region and Nabdam in the Upper East Region.
“Those affected with symptoms are left with strangely swilling deformed limbs which had been as a result of several years without treatment, he said.
According to Dr Sylvester Coleman, an entomologist and a lecturer at the Department of Clinical Microbiology of the Kwame NkrumahUniversity of Science and Technology, “elephantiasis is a severe manifestation of lymphatic filariasis, a disease which could also trigger extensive scrotal swelling, or hydrocele, in men.”
It is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and is endemic in 73 countries.
He said the infection was transmitted by mosquitoes carrying tiny, thread-like worms, which nest in and attack a person’s lymphatic system, though many of those infected with the parasite will not present any symptoms.
He warned patients against the use of herbs for treating elephantiasis as well as seeking treatment from traditional healers, but rather visit the nearest health centres.
From Geoffrey Buta, Asemko
News
Mrs Dotse-Ametsi installed as Devt Queen
The Dome-Tsevie clan of Abutia-Kloe in the Ho West District of the Volta Region last weekend outdoored Mrs Joycelyn Akorfa Dotse-Ametsi as a Development Queen.
The ceremony which attracted traditional, political and business executives among others had Mr Bernand Mornah of the People’s National Convention Party as the special guest of honour.
Mrs Dotse-Ametsi with the ceremonial name of Mama Woe-Nenyo I, was tasked with liaising and spearheading development projects and educational reforms among others.
The ceremony also coincided with the 30 years anniversary of the death of Torgbe Abutia Kodzo XVI (ex-President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs) who happened to be her father.
Mama Woe-Nanyo I promised to adhere to the promise and expectations her clan has in her and not depart from the honour and respect her father radiated during his reign.
She called for the various clans of Abutia-Kloe to come together for the rapid development of Kloe and the Abutia Traditional Council.
News
The Golden Gift of the Savannah: The untold story of Shea Nut and Shea Butter
In the vast Savannah of Northern Ghana, where the sun ‘kisses’ the earth stands a tree revered for its economic and cultural significance – the shea tree.
For centuries, the shea nut plucked from this resilient tree, has been the lifeblood of countless women and communities, shaping economies, traditions, and futures across the northern regions of Ghana.
To many women, shea butter is not merely an ingredient in cosmetics and skincare.
It is a symbol of resilience and economic empowerment. This golden treasure provides a sustainable income for women who painstakingly gather, dry, and process the nuts into a rich butter renowned worldwide for its healing and moisturizing properties.
Beyond its nuts, the shea tree produces a sweet, edible fruit packed with vitamins and nutrients. Its pulp is an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, which boost immunity, aid digestion, and promote overall health.
The fruit, often consumed fresh, serves as an essential source of nourishment for rural communities.
However, the journey from shea nut to shea butter is a laborious process requiring skill, patience, and sheer determination.
Women venture into the wild, walk long distances to collect fallen shea nuts.
After gathering, the nuts are boiled, sun-dried, and cracked open to reveal the kernels. These kernels are then roasted, grinded, and kneaded by hand until the oil separates from the solids, forming the smooth, fragrant butter which is now a staple in beauty and pharmaceutical industries, globally.
Shea butter is not the only valuable product derived from this remarkable tree. The shea nut also yields a highly nutritious cooking oil used traditionally in West African cuisine.
Rich in healthy fats, it promotes heart health and serves as a healthier alternative to palm oil and other cooking oils.
As global interest in natural and sustainable products grows, the demand for shea butter has surged.
Major cosmetic brands have embraced it as a key ingredient in lotions, hair products, and medicinal ointments, thanks to its high concentrations of vitamins A and E and anti-inflammatory properties.
Additionally, the food industry now recognises shea butter as a viable alternative to cocoa butter in chocolate production, further expanding its market value.
Yet, despite its growing international appeal, the shea industry faces significant challenges.
Climate change threatens the sustainability of shea trees, while middlemen and unfair pricing structures often limit the earnings of the women who produce the butter.
However, initiatives promoting fair trade, value addition, and sustainable harvesting practices offer hope for better economic returns for shea producers.
Organisations and cooperatives are working tirelessly to protect the shea tree and enhance the livelihoods of shea butter producers.
By introducing modern processing techniques, offering training programmes, and securing fair trade agreements, these efforts are ensuring that the legacy of shea butter continues to benefit local communities for generations to come.
Maria Johana Yuorpor, one of the women leading this transformation is a dedicated shea butter processor. For over a decade, she has championed quality production while equipping women with the skills to refine and add value to this ‘women’s gold.’
Maria’s journey into the shea butter industry was not one of mere chance but of deep-rooted passion and an unyielding commitment to uplift her community.
Growing up in a region where shea butter was a staple in homes used for cooking, skincare, and medicinal purposes, she witnessed firsthand its potential as a tool for economic empowerment.
Determined to make a difference, she immersed herself in intensive research and training, perfecting her craft to meet international standards.
Over the years, her expertise and commitment to quality production have earned her local and international recognition, shining a spotlight on Upper West shea butter.
According to Maria, the best shea butter comes from the Upper West Region due to the naturally rich and unpolluted environment in which shea trees flourish.
“The climate and soil here give our shea nuts a unique richness, which translates into high-quality butter with superior texture and moisturizing properties as well as the best way of processing it,” she explains.
Maria said, said when she begun understanding the importance of value addition, she started training women in her community on advanced processing techniques, including refining, packaging, and product diversification.
“Today, many of my trainees have expanded beyond producing raw shea butter to crafting soaps, body creams, and essential oils, all tailored for export markets”, she added.
To further enhance the shea industry and support women entrepreneurs, the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) among many organisations has stepped in with training and funding opportunities.
Mrs. Mercy Tuffour, Gender and Safeguarding Specialist in an interview said, KIC through their initiatives were training women on modern techniques in product formulation, branding, and market access, allowing them to elevate their shea-based businesses.
She emphasised the significance of these interventions: “We are committed to equipping women with the skills and resources needed to create high quality shea products that can compete in both local and international markets.
By adding value to raw shea butter, these women are transforming their livelihoods and securing better financial futures, where Northern Ghana becomes the hub of premium shea butter exports, driven by women entrepreneurs, she added.
She also advocated increased investment in shea butter processing facilities and seeks partnerships with global skincare and cosmetic brands to highlight Ghana’s superior shea butter.
As Maria Johana Yuorpor continues her mission, her story serves as an inspiration to many – proof that with passion, knowledge, and resilience, local resources can be transformed into global opportunities, changing lives one shea nut at a time.
Story/Photos from Geoffrey Buta, Nyoli, Upper West
