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UNIJOSA 2003 celebrates 20th anniversary & homecoming
The 2003 graduating group of University Junior High School, Cape Coast has celebrated its 20th anniversary and homecoming.
The celebration which took place from August 24-27, 2023 began with a visit to the school where the old students paid a courtesy call on the acting Headteacher of University Junior High School, Madam Eleanor Onyami, to ascertain the state and progress of their alma mater and appreciate the current challenges faced by the school.
Mrs. Eleanor Onyami expressed her joy and satisfaction when she received the leadership of UNIJOSA 2003 and added that the school is always ready to partner old students to undertake worthy courses to move it to higher levels.
The team had fruitful engagements with the headteacher after which they further interacted with the staff and students at the school.
Speaking on the theme of celebration, “Setting the new standard of excellence: our role and legacy,” the President of UNIJOSA 2003, Mr. Festus Brew Quansah, explained that as the ‘class of excellence’, UNIJOSA 2003 is motivated to inspire the current students to greater heights of excellence and leave them better than they were in school.
In this direction, UNIJOSA 2003 found it very important as part of the celebration to return to the school and speak to the students as a way of inspiring them for the journey ahead of them.
Inspirational messages were delivered by members of UNIJOSA 2003. Mr. Joseph Eric Eduam, a qualified quantity surveyor, project management specialist and CEO of WEL group, and Madam Constance Cobbold, a clinical pharmacist and lecturer spoke on ‘How to be an excellent student and person in life.’
Again, Mr. Abeiku Arthur, an Educational Technologist, spoke on the topic, ‘educating an excellent generation’: innovations for the future’.
He inspired the students to learn assiduously to adapt to new developments such as Artificial Intelligence, ICT skills and other digital endeavours.
As a way of honouring them, and recognising their immense contribution, UNIJOSA 2003 used the opportunity to present citations and gifts to their past teachers in service and retired.
Further, the association inaugurated an award package for the best student in basic 7, best student in basic 8 and best BECE students to be presented during next year’s speech and prize giving day as a way of giving back to their alma mater.
Following other social events, the 4-day celebration ended with a Thanksgiving service at the University Interdenominational Church, (UIC) at the University of Cape Coast.
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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
