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Takyi goofed but… (Final part)

Samuel Takyi

The MoYS statement categorised the $50,000 as follows – $10,000 as reward for the bronze medal, $20,000 to procure a vehicle for the boxer and the rest of the $20,000 to be invested in his career – specifically to fund his training, equipment and other requirement to enable him reach his full potential as a boxer.

The statement said the fund was not meant to be disbursed directly to Mr Takyi, but rather to be invested strategically in his development.

Gladly, government fulfilled its promise by presenting $10,000 to Takyi on November 18, 2021; presented a car on the same day and followed up with an amount of $5,000 on December 16, 2022.

This implies that out of the $20,000.00 meant for his personal development, a balance of $10,000 is now payable to him when he presents a good personal plan.

Clearly, all the back-and-forth between MoYS and the boxer could have been avoided if there was a clear-cut reward structure by government or the MoYS athletes.

Considering this is not the first time controversies over athletes’ rewards have come up, and this may not be the last; so the earlier something was done about it to avert future occurrences, the better it will be for all.

As far back as August 2014, there was a similar occurrence after Abdul Wahib Omar won bronze despite losing his semi-final bout to Louis Colin in flyweight at the Commonwealth Games.

Omar, then 22 years, was to receive $1,000 as a reward for winning one of the two medals Ghana won at the Glasgow Games. The other winner was Judoka Razak Abugri.

Many years after that, the reward remained unfulfilled.

“I have given up on the chase for that money. I have been made to go up and down several times. When I go there, they tell me the minister is not in.” This was the response the last time we discussed that issue.

Such is the frustration athletes go through after the long period of hard work to compete at the highest level to put Ghana’s flag on the international map as a sports nation.

This, I believe, has become an issue because of the absence of a structured reward scheme to guide authorities in awarding athletes.

Secondly, by our way of administering boxing, especially at the amateur level, demanding a developmental plan from a boxer before receiving his reward is like asking a man to walk on water.

Fact is, most of these boxers are usually on their own; they do everything for themselves. A few lucky ones among them enjoy the benevolence of their coaches who support their training and a little stipends to survive.

It is when they begin to show signs of promise that they begin to attract managers, some of whom come with varied interest.

So, imagine a boxer in need of money but without the ability to produce a development plan; he falls prey to whoever he approaches for help.

Maybe, what the authorities fail to realise is that a development plan is no guarantee for the success of a boxer and the earlier their real needs and problems were identified with ways found to address them, the better it will be for all the parties.

Most of these boxers lack decent places of abode. Most of them do not work so it even beats imagination why the choice to always think about cars if such athletes were to be rewarded.

The choice of a car would only change the boxer’s lifestyle and use a chunk of the cash reward on fuel. With no work to earn additional funds or income, every expenditure of the boxer would be from it and in no time, they would go broke.

Assuming a boxer uses part of the initial instalment to hire a simple but decent accommodation, after sometime, he would have to renew his tenancy agreement and in no time, could go cashless.

I have a simple advice for MoYS or government regarding a reward scheme for boxers or maybe all other athletes.

Preference may differ but with boxers whose conditions of living is nothing impressive to write home about, a $50,000 package coming in various forms could be used to procure a decent accommodation for the boxer or whichever athlete is involved; of course consideration must be given to whether he/she has one already or not.

This is an issue that must be given a serious attention while Takyi prepares a development plan to get the rest of the money released to him

By Andrew Nortey

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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.

Staff of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) showcasing their work

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.