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KOICA contracts Medtronic Labs to provide free health screening in Upper East and North East Regions
Mr Kwabena Asante Offei (left), with Mr Seungmin Oh (Right) exchanging the agreement after the signing.
A total of 2,500 people in the Upper East and North East Regions are to receive free health screening for hypertension and diabetes and maternal health care, following an agreement signed on Monday between the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Medtronic Labs Ghana.
Per the terms of the agreement, KOICA is to provide $75,000 in funding while Medtronic Labs Ghana would carry out the screening for the community.
Medtronic Labs Ghana will also provide standard kits that compromise BP machines and glucometers to ensure that patients are managed and treated well during the 12 months period of the programme.
The Senior Deputy Country Director of KOICA-Ghana, Mr Seungmin Oh, explained that the agreement forms part of the Phase II of the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) embarked upon in the region.
He said 10 CHPS zones had been linked to three health centres and one district hospital to provide treatment to beneficiaries who may be screen and needed further treatment.
Mr Oh said, KOICA acknowledged the unique advantage that Medtronic labs would bring on board in implementing a comprehensive community-based screening, and referred patients to the nearest health facilities.
“We are confident that their digital solution willcontribute to raising awareness of Non Communicable Diseases such as hypertension and diabetes to general population, as well as early screening for pregnant mothers to prevent complications as a result of hypertension and gestation diabetes.
“We hope that collectively, we can support the health system strengthening, improve ownership, and eventually form a strong foundation to sustain quality healthcare in the country,” he said.
Mr Oh said Korea would continueto focus on improving primary healthcare delivery, and expressed confident that the screening would create public awareness to help address challenges in the health sector.
The Country Lead-Business Development and Partnership for Medtronic Labs, Mr Kwabena Asante Offei said, key objective of his outfit was to improve access to primary healthcare and ensure meaningful clinical outcomes.
He said the programme will go beyond diagnosis to provide a care model that aligned with Ghana’s primary healthcare delivery.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
News
Man jailed for defiling 13-year-old girl
The Upper West Regional Police Command has arrested and successfully prosecuted Mohammed Abudi for defiling a 13 year old girl, in the Guli community of the Wa Municipality.
Through proactive policing effort, Abudi was apprehended on Sunday,
April 13, 2025, just two days after committing the offense on Friday, April 11, 2025.
The case was heard at the Wa Circuit Court, where the accused pleaded guilty to the charge.
On April 23, 2025, His Lordship Jonathan Avoogo sentenced him to seven (7) years imprisonment.
The Regional Police Command issues a stern warning to potential offenders, urging them to desist from committing such crimes.
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Stop the hypocrisy and serve the interest of Ghana- Della Sowah jabs GBA
Former Member of Kpando, Della Sowah has jabbed the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) over what she describes as hypocrisy.
This follows a press release by the GBA demanding a reversal of the suspension of the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.
In a statement dated April 26, the GBA contended that the President’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice under Article 146(10) of the Constitution is flawed.
Responding to the GBA in an interaction with the media, Della Sowah said the GBA’s position is out of hypocrisy where the Association only finds its voice on national issues when the NDC is in power.
“Where was the GBA when Charlotte Osei an astute lawyer was removed as Chair of the Electoral Commission under the erstwhile NPP government?,” she quizzed.
She added that few days ago the GBA in a first press release signed by their President, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, did not find anything constitutionally wrong with the President’s action on the removal of the Chief Justice.
” Why the sharp U-turn? Is GBA serving the interest of a political party rather than Ghana? Who is forcing them,” she asked.
Della Sowah further added that the GBA is not the Constitution and they cannot arrogate to themselves powers they do not have.
” Who are you to declare the decision of the President unconstitutional? Are you now arrogating to yourselves the powers of the Supreme Court?,” she quizzed.
She charged the GBA to refrain from its dislike for the NDC else they would lose their relevance on national matters.
Della Sowah finally advised them to desist from misleading their members and young lawyers on issues of constitutional interpretation due to their biases.
She assured the public that President Mahama will follow the constitution and ensure everything is done in line with the laws of Ghana.
