News
Water shortage hits Tema
Empty Veronica buckets were the first to greet staff, clients and guests to various institutions this week in the Tema Metropolis.
This was as a result of the interruption in water supply due to routine maintenance works by the Ghana Water Company Limited.
The situation had caused an acute water shortage as many institutions and homes struggled for water for cleaning and handwashing.
Washing of hands under running water had been one of the key safety protocols for the corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic to ensure clean hands to curb the spread of the virus.
However, a common sight had been the disappointment on the faces of persons who confidently walked to Veronica buckets mounted at various entrance and exit points to turn on the taps only to realise the tap was not flowing.
This Reporter observed that most of such persons just walked away to go about their normal businesses without taking the trouble to sanitise their hands.
One of such disappointed persons, a commercial vehicle driver, Musah Kadiri who had gone to renew his document in an office told The Spectatorin an interview that the practice had the potential to spread the virus as each person opened the tap with possibly contaminated hands and left.
He suggested that much as the water situation appeared terrible, heads of various institutions must endeavour to provide water for handwashing since their clients came from other places and could be carrying the virus.
The Spectator is drawing the attention of the Ghana Water Company Limited to the inconveniences being caused to the public to resolve whatever challenges that caused the interruption of water supply to alleviate the suffering of the public.
From Dzifa Tetteh, Tema
News
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
News
Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
