News
‘Let children read from books, not digital devices’
Parents have been urged to encourage their children to read from books instead of digital devices to protect their eyes.
This, according to the Country Director of Cure Blindness Project, Dr James Addy, was because exposure of children to digital devices for extended periods puts them at risk of developing eye problems, since prolonged screen time affects eye development, potentially causing vision disorders.
“Parents should implement the World Health Organisation recommendation of zero screen time for children under two years and limited screen time for those above three years. Children’s eyes are sensitive, and prolonged exposure to digital devices can have devastating consequences,” he emphasised.
This came to light in an interview with The Spectator on eye health in Accra on Monday.
Dr Addy explained that excessive screen time can lead to eye strain, dryness, and increased risk of cataracts and refractive errors.
Dr Addy noted that eye problems have become prevalent in Ghana, particularly among children with access to eye care in rural areas limited, exacerbating the issue,” he said.
He recommended regular eye screening, especially in schools and communities, to identify potential issues early because “Early detection and intervention can significantly improve treatment outcomes,” Dr Addy stated.
In Dr Addy view, parents must prioritise personal interactions with children, limiting screen time and encouraging outdoor play while Pre-schools and Daycare Centers should promote toys and outdoor activities over screens.
Globally, over 500,000 people go blind every year, with a prevalence of 0.3 to 1.2 per thousand children. In Ghana, the prevalence is approximately 0.9 per cent, with 44.4 per cent of children requiring refractive services, primarily due to myopia.
The Ghana Blindness and Visual Impairment Study (2015) reported 230,000 people blind in Ghana, including children and adults.
Dr Addy attributed the rising refractive errors among children to lifestyle changes and reduced outdoor activity. “Increased screen time from phones, tablets, computers, and televisions is a significant contributor,” he added.
Consequences of refractive errors include eye strain, blurred vision, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and impaired vision. This can affect education, economic potential, and overall well-being.
Common signs of eye problems in children include squinting, frequent rubbing of the eyes, difficulty focusing on distance objects, and headaches.
Dr Addy recommended regular eye checks, at least once a year, and encouraged parents to prioritise eye health.
To address screen time, Dr Addy advised parents to adopt the 20-20-2 rule which requires that after every 20 minutes, one should look away from the screen and walk around for 2 minutes.
The primary harm from digital tools comes from the distance and light emission. “Prolonged focus on a screen exhausts eye muscles, leading to pain and potential long-term damage,” Dr Addy explained.
By Richmond Angel Mensah
News
Cake Tekniks holds 59th graduation ceremony
About 30 students on Sunday graduated from the 59th graduation ceremony of Cake Tekniks International, a privately-owned modern cake designing and sugar craft school in Accra.
During the ceremony, all graduates were presented with certificates while 13 of them also received professional diploma.
The founder of Cake Tekniks International, Mrs Jane Addo, said her outfit was dedicated to providing world standard skills, knowledge and hands-on training necessary for one to succeed worldwide in the culinary industry.
She encouraged the students to embrace the opportunities, challenges and experiences, mindful of the fact that they are well-equipped.
“Hold your heads up while you build a goodwill between your clients and yourselves,” she added.
Mrs Addo said the school was passionate about fostering the culture of creativity, motivation and excellence with the belief that every student had the potential to make a lasting impact in the culinary world.
The founder and leader of QA Consult, Mr Johnson Opoku-Boateng, said graduation was a witness to the unveiling of talents, passion and hard work and testament to months of dedication and hands-on-learning.
He urged the graduands to ensure that their cakes were safe and good for human health and that their success would be dependent on how well they serve, create and grow.
The event also saw the exhibition of cakes and pastries by the students.
receiving her certificate
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
Debutant Bella Agyemang lauded for Box Office ‘Magic’
New producer, Bella Agyemang, has been hailed by Silverbird Cinemas and other industry players for her Box Office ‘Magic’ over the weekend.
Bella’s ‘Check In’ movie has received praise for being the first to sell at the cinemas this year.
Speaking to The Spectator, Sales and Marketing Lead at Silverbird Cinemas Ghana, Nana Kwame Obiri-Tete said, for a debutant, Bella Agyemang did fantastically well in her maiden premiere.
He said he was proud of Bella Agyemang’s effort in getting people to show up, adding that she engaged in a lot of marketing activities.
He said her marketing activations on the streets, coupled with other Public Relations endeavours, pointed in the right direction.
“With what she has done, it shows that Bella has a big future. You might have a good product, but if you fail to market it, you cannot get people to patronize. Bella put in a lot of work, which is why she was able to draw a lot of people to the premiere,” Obiri-Tetteh said.
Bella Agyemang, on her part, expressed appreciation to fellow actors, her team, media personalities and all stakeholders who supported her effort ahead of the premiere.
The much-awaited star-studded Ghanaian comedy movie ‘Check-In’ premiered at Silverbird Cinemas on April 12, 2025.
The movie tells a story of chaos and a blackout at a secluded hotel, and amidst these, a resourceful attendant must unravel hidden connections between guests and restore peace before secrets tear them apart.
The movie, produced by Bella Agyemang, featured Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD), Clemento Suarez, Jeneral Ntatia, Priscilla Opoku-Agyeman, Felicia Osei, Gideon Kojo Boakye, Clinton Odoi, Fiifi Jefferson Pratt, and Gabriel Hogan among others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
