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Society must kick against wrongdoing – Catholic Bishop
Very Rev Fr Dr Boampong Sarfo Jnr
A member of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference, Very Rev. Fr. Dr Charles Boampong has bemoaned the acceptance of wrongdoing in the society as a norm.
He said it was unfortunate that the wrong things in society were gradually being embraced and applauded and are not considered as abnormal anymore.
Very Rev Fr. Dr. Charles Boampong Sarfo Jnr, an Assistant General Secretary of the National Catholic Secretariat of the Conference made the observation in his homily last Sunday at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashaiman on Vocation Sunday.
Vocation Sunday is also known as ‘exchange of pulpit’ day, a day where priests move from their original parishes to other parishes or stations to celebrate Mass, socialise and mingle with the faithful.
According to him, workers for instance would report to work late but would write a different time in an attendance book to suggest they reported earlier.
“The same applies with those that leave the work place very early but record times that suggest they left the office late. Such practices must not be entertained at all. It is a clear case of dishonesty,” he noted.
“When you report to work late, write the exact time you got to work and when you left. If you do not go to work, don’t say you did,” Rev Dr Sarfo told the congregation.
He said what makes the attitude very serious was the fact that many of the culprits of such practices were Christians who are supposed to live by example and go by the dictates Jesus Christ sets for his followers.
He observed that “there are persons who called themselves Christians yet would demand bribe from people before they discharged the duties for which they are paid at the end of the month.”
That attitude, he pointed out was not just ‘unchristian’ but also unpatriotic and hampers the development of the country.
He encouraged the parishioners to work with their hearts because in that, they would find fulfilment.
The Assistant General Secretary said faithfulness was key in the life of a Christian and they should be a light wherever they found themselves so that their actions would win more souls for Christ.
He lamented a situation where persons who were entrusted with other people’s properties maintained them poorly or do not take good care of them at all.
He observed that some people would even inflate the prices of items meant for maintenance so that they could make money out of it for themselves.
He stated that sadly, some people thought that was being smart but what they fail to see was that they were working at their own destruction.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Ashaiman
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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
