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He gave me water and continued to strangle me – Matilda Amissah-Arthur recounts terrifying robbery
Former second Lady, Matilda Amissah-Arthur, the wife of the late former Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, has narrated how she was robbed and almost killed in her bedroom on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
According to Mrs Amissah-Arthur’s account, the intruder, dressed in black, broke into her room, demanding money and threatening to kill her and anyone who might come to her aid.
Despite handing over $2,200 and 50 euros, the robber was displeased with the amount and turned her room upside down, searching for more valuables.
In a video in which Mrs Amissah-Arthur was giving a testimony, she said the attacker vowed to kill her and anyone who tried to save her, hence her compliance.
In a bizarre twist, Mrs Amissah-Arthur requested water during the ordeal, and the attacker obligingly fetched it from her fridge.
However, instead of showing mercy, he callously continued strangling her after she took a sip.
“I thought I was dreaming. So, I sat on my bed and rubbed my face just to be sure that I wasn’t dreaming. And there he was standing there, and he said, if you shout and somebody comes, I’ll kill them and kill you. So, I was sitting on my bed, and he said give me the money,” she narrated.
According to her, “We were renovating our mother’s house so my siblings brought money and the money was with me. Quickly, I took the $2,200 dollars and gave him, and I had 50 euros of my own and I gave him, and I took my purse, gave the cedis to him, then he counted the money and said, this small money.”
“He got angry. He turned my room upside down, and of course, he didn’t find money or any jewellery. And then he said, ‘You wasted my time, so I will kill you. But I have to call my boss.’ By this time, he had dragged me from the bed and was hitting my head on the ground,” she revealed.
“He spoke on the phone for a couple of minutes and said, ‘My boss says I should shoot you, but I won’t shoot you, I will strangle you so that you’ll die a slow death and next time you come, you’ll have money.’ So, he started strangling me.”
“I got thirsty at some point, and I said, “I am thirsty.” He stopped strangling me, went to my fridge for water, opened it, and put it in my mouth, just when I started drinking, he snapped it, closed it, and continued strangling me,” the former First lady Concluded.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
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Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study
A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.
The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.
Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”
“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.
The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.
The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.
Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.
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Traders, ‘Okada’ riders take over Circle pavement
• Korle-Bu CEO with staff of Nivaansh MediQas
Activities of traders and drug addicts are contributing to make the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle) area very uncomfortable and unsafe for commuters.
Day in and out, pedestrians are ‘ejected’ from the pavement created for their safety as traders preferred to sell their wares on that space.
That hinders the free movement of the pedestrians.
The small space left for the pedestrians are also shared with ‘Okada’ riders.
As if these woes are not enough for a commuter on a single day, they also have to navigate carefully to avoid clashes with drug addicts and the mentally challenged.
These people have turned the pavements into their places of abode, covering every inch of space with their wares.
Our photographer, Lizzy Okai, captures some of the unfriendly scenes the authorities must try and deal with to restore sanity to the area.
By Lizzy Okai
