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Wassa Amenfi West District ranked fourth with 96 COVID-19 cases
Residents in the Wassa Amenfi West District of the Western Region have expressed worry as the area is gradually gaining status as a hotspot for the COVID 19 pandemic.
There is no isolation centre in the district to quarantine those with COVID-19 cases.
Meanwhile, the danger is that, all the affected victims or persons are walking free on the streets, The Spectator gathered, and there are genuine fears that the situation might worsen.
According to the Regional Situation Report (SITREP), Wassa Amenfi West now ranked fourth on the COVID-19 pandemic with 96 positive cases, as of Tuesday, June 30. Sekondi -Takoradi ranked first with 573 positive cases, followed by Tarkwa -Nsuaem with 465 and Effia-Kwesimintsim,198.
The report generally indicated that Wassa Amenfi West COVID cases initially, in April 2, tallied zero positive, moved to one case in June 5, and has since shot up with 178 negative cases while 178 cases are also pending, within the period.
So far, the district had reported 170 suspected cases, 280 contact cases traced with 452 samples taken.
Responding to public concerns in an interview with journalists, the District Director of Health, Mary Magdalene Arthur, said the number of cases recorded did not show a failure on the part of the health team.
She explained that the efforts of the health team had reduced the number of COVID 19 cases in the area.
“This is not a failure on the part of the health team and the Regional Health Directorate will testify. We are, indeed, on the ground working. But the key challenge is where to send confirmed cases for isolation. It behoves on the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and his team to do that. We are still waiting,” she said.
The MCE, Mr George Agyiri, on his part, also argued that, in April, when the COVID -19 pandemic swept the country, government directed all districts to construct isolation centers, but, this, he added, could not be done within a short period.
He said, the assembly decided to solicit the assistance of hotels in the district and other areas or hire completed houses to help reduce the spread of the virus.
However, most businesses had declined the offer.
“We have been making efforts to build an isolation centre, but in the interim, we need to hire hotels, but due to stigmatisation, the owners have declined.” Mr Agyiri told journalists.
The situation, he said, posed a challenge to COVID-19 emergencies.
From Clement AdzeiBoye, Takoradi
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
