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KOICA collaborates with KH Medicals to establish medical diagnosis center.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has collaborated with KH Medical Africa, to establish a medical diagnosis center, to improve the delivery of quality healthcare in the country.
The facility which was officially opened yesterday in Accra will provide diagnostic solutions, including molecular diagnostic kits that utilize DNA-based technologies to identify and analyse material, enabling precise and sensitive detection of pathogens, genetic mutation, and other biomarkers.
The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, who was at the opening ceremony, thanked KOICA for their immense continuous contributions towards the improvement of Ghana’s healthcare delivery.
He said about 91 of the construction works on the ‘Agenda 111’ district, specialized, and regional hospitals are ongoing across the country.
He said by the end of the second quarter of next year, the majority of the projects would be completed to augment the government’s effort, in providing accessible and quality healthcare for Ghanaians.
He said the expected projects to be completed next year, include regional hospitals, accommodations for health personnel, as well as modern equipment to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare
Dr Nsiah-Asare said that, since most of the ‘Agenda 111 facilities were targeted at improving healthcare in the rural areas, the government was considering the construction of bungalows for health personnel who would be working in these facilities.
He said plans were also far advanced for the construction and production of a vaccine manufacturing hub, to prepare for any eventualities as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said this follows the recommendations of the African Union (AU) for members to adequately invest in the area of vaccines, in tackling future pandemics, which the government was working tirelessly to ensure the production of vaccines.
“There is a strong collaboration between the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and developing partners like the European Union, and the GIZ to ensure the successful construction and production of the vaccine hub.
We are following the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the processes leading to the production of these vaccines,” Dr Nsiah-Asare said.
He said the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, was also part of the team of ensuring Ghana established a vaccine research institute, adding that, a board has been instituted to oversee the works leading to the establishment of the institute.
The KOICA Country Director, Mr Donghyun Lee, said, KOICA firmly believed in the importance of providing an accessible universal healthcare system for Ghanaians.
He was hopeful the facility would significantly contribute to bolstering the healthcare system of the country, to ensure inclusive, affordable, and accessible healthcare.
Mr Lee said the establishment of the KOICA-KH Centre was an innovative diagnostic laboratory, aimed at providing comprehensive clinical diagnostic testing services in areas of DNA-based technologies and immunoassay diagnostic.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
