News
Old lady collapses as fire rages structures at European Town
● A part of European Town
Raging fire on Sunday afternoon swept through scores of makeshift structures along the rail lines closed to the train station at European Town, Sekondi, in the Western Region.
“A total of 64 structures, mostly drinking bars and makeshift rooms, were burnt while about 130 others were secured by firefighters deployed from the Ghana National Fire Service, Regional Headquarters, Fijai and the Naval Base at Sekondi,”Fire Service source told The Spectator.
Various personal belongings were also burnt.
Madam Mary Tetteh, 65, who could not bear the sight of her shop consumed by collapsed and was whisked by firemen to the nearby Naval Base Clinic, for treatment.
“Six gas cylinders exploded during the fire and we were able to retrieve 65 bottles to safety, to prevent further explosions,” Regional Public Relations Officer, Divisional Officer II, Emmanuel Bonny said.
He again said that at about 12.04pm on Sunday, the Sekondi Control Room received a distress call and so fire appliances were dispatched to the scene along the rail lines at European Town, near the train station, at about 12.11pm.
“We dispatched four fire tenders to fight the fire from spreading because of the wind and about 1.09 pm, the fire was brought under control but the whole area at the rail line was totally burnt,” he stressed.
He explained that wooden structures asbestos and cooking oils stored in the rooms coupled with high wind velocity from Sekondi shores, triggered the intensity of the Sunday fire.
DO II Bonney advised the public to stay away during such fires, noting that the explosion of gas cylinders during the incident, could have resulted in a disaster.
“The public should stay away during fire fighting especially when gas cylinders are exploding, because we are professionals and have studied the wind direction, we could prevent any occurrences. With civilians engaged in fire -fighting, fatalities could have been higher,” he added.
He said the command had begun investigations to establish the cause of the fire break.
The rail line, near the Sekondi railway station, had generated concern among the security architecture in the metropolis regarding the use of the base as ‘hive’ for prostitution, which had attracted foreigners mostly Nigerian girls.
Recently, the Chief Fisherman of the Sekondi Fishing Harbour, Nana Kofi Essoun, complained that about “900 commercial sex workers are currently plying their trade at European Town, the community hosting the harbour.”
Describing the situation as worrying, he suggested that the Western Region Security Council (REGSEC) should take urgent action to curb the increase in criminal activities including armed robberies in the area.
“The fishing harbour is now not safe. As I speak with you now, we have over 900 commercial sex workers from Nigeria who have erected sheds for their trade. They engage in various activities endangering the peace we have been enjoying at the harbor,” he stressed.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Sekondi
News
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
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Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
