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Sika Attipoe assures new dawn for RMU staff
An aspirant for the Staff Representative of the Regional Maritime University(RMU) has assured colleagues of a new dawn, with focus on innovative ideas to turn around their fortunes for the better.
In her manifesto to the staff on Thursday, Ms Attipoe said, “I represent a new dawn of innovation, improvement, unity, progress, teamwork, dynamism, self-awareness, empathy and catalyst that propels the university to greater heights through exceptional leadership.”
Ms Attipoe who is currently the Head, Business Development Office has worked at the University for over a decade and believes she has the right connections and networks to properly represent staff on the Board of Governors.
She would be contesting the position with Mr Felix Koney Okpoti, Assistant Lecturer, Marine Electrical and Electronics Department and Dr Stephen Afenyo Dehlor, Deputy Registrar, Academic.
Ms Attipoe added that, she stands for positive change and commitment to steer the RMU staff towards success.
“We need to empower ourselves, through creating avenues to achieve progress and be self-sustainable. We would create avenue for everyone to become a stakeholder and contribute to the growth of the university and equally benefit from such development,” she added.
She said, teamwork would be enforced under her administration as everyone must get involved to ensure progress.
The dutiful and elegant Ms Attipoe urged staff to rally behind her as she was committed to inclusivity,honesty, reliability and efficiency.
The Staff Representative would serve as the link between colleagues and Board of Governors,seeking their interest and ensuring their concerns were addressed.
The Registrar, Dr Baboucarr Njie who supervised the manifesto reading session, commended the contestants for their outstanding presentation with very innovative ideas that would serve the interest of staff.
He also commended staff for making time to ask relevant questions in their quest to get the best out of the candidates.
He said, management was ready and willing to work with any candidate eventually elected by the staff to represent them.
He acknowledged that, they were open to all suggestions and ideas from upcoming Staff Representative and ensure they were addressed accordingly.
“We would always encourage dialogue and serve the interest of everyone since we are all working towards the progress of the university,” he added.
The elections us slated for Friday, May 10.
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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
