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Ridge Hospital incident exposes ‘systemic failures’ in healthcare – Former GMA Vice President

The recent incident at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, popularly known as Ridge Hospital, has brought to light deep-seated systemic failures within Ghana’s healthcare system, former Vice President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Justice Yankson, has said.

Dr. Yankson, who was a guest on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 30, said the incident, where an individual allegedly assaulted a medical professional, was not an isolated event but a symptom of a larger problem.

He noted that while the committee set up to investigate the matter found no delay in attending to the patient, it did highlight a number of systemic failures that led to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.

“The committee has established clearly that there was no delay [in attending to the patient],” Dr. Yankson said, adding that the assault was “unfounded.”

He explained that the real issue lay with the challenges within the facility, which were beyond the control of the frontline healthcare workers.

Dr. Yankson pointed to the committee’s findings, which revealed a lack of functional equipment and other broken-down diagnostic tools at the hospital.

He argued that if the flagship facility of the Ghana Health Service is grappling with such basic challenges, one can only imagine the state of healthcare in district and sub-district facilities.

The former GMA official lamented the country’s poor “culture of maintenance”, stating that equipment purchased with public funds is often left to deteriorate.

He expressed concern that this lack of adequate facilities often results in patients and their relatives redirecting their frustration onto healthcare workers, who are trying their best to provide care under difficult circumstances.

Dr. Yankson’s comments underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure and a renewed commitment to addressing the systemic challenges that continue to compromise patient care and endanger the lives of healthcare professionals.

Prof. Ivy Ekem champions sickle cell awareness in landmark lecture celebrating 50 years of excellence

In an enlightening public lecture held on Friday, August 29, Professor Ivy Ekem, a distinguished medical professional and Head of the Department of Haematology at the University of Cape Coast, delivered a compelling presentation titled “Translating Research into Care: 50 Years of Sickle Cell Excellence.”

This event marked the 50th anniversary of the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, spotlighting significant advancements in sickle cell management and care in Ghana.

The auditorium was filled with healthcare professionals, students, and members of the community, all eager to hear Prof. Ekem’s insights on sickle cell disease, a condition that affects approximately 2% of the Ghanaian population, with an estimated 10,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

Her lecture underscored the importance of shifting perceptions and language surrounding sickle cell, starting with the terminology used to describe those living with the condition.

“There is a term that we have been talking about that we should stop using: the term ‘sickler,'” Prof. Ekem stated, urging the audience to reconsider how language shapes our understanding of individuals.

“Why it’s called a sickle is that there is an implement used to weed, and that’s the shape. If you look at it, it’s about the same as this one. So that’s why it’s called the sickle cell. It’s not referring to the whole individual. You might as well call it a C-cell, something like that. So please, from today, just note that sickle refers to the cell, not the patient.”

Her remarks resonated deeply, as she emphasised that individuals with sickle cell disease are not defined by their condition; instead, they are vibrant members of society deserving of dignity and respect.

This call for a change in language reflects a broader movement towards enhancing the quality of care and life for those affected by sickle cell in Ghana.

Prof. Ekem also outlined the milestones achieved in sickle cell research and treatment over the past five decades in Ghana.

The Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics has been at the forefront of these developments, advocating for better diagnosis, treatment, and education around sickle cell disease.

She highlighted that early diagnosis through newborn screening programs has drastically improved outcomes, enabling children with sickle cell to live healthier, fuller lives.

Statistics reveal that with appropriate medical care, including regular health check-ups and pain management, individuals with sickle cell can live beyond 50 years, a significant improvement compared to previous decades.

Prof. Ekem noted that community education initiatives play a crucial role in dispelling myths about sickle cell disease, which is often surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding.

In her lecture, she also introduced the audience to innovative treatments and ongoing research aimed at improving the lives of those with sickle cell. These include advancements in gene therapy and new drug therapies that have shown promise in preventing complications associated with the disease.

As the lecture concluded, Prof. Ekem called for continued collaboration between healthcare providers, researchers, and community organizations to ensure that the progress made over the past 50 years continues to flourish.

“Translating research into care is not just a slogan; it’s a commitment to the well-being of our people. Let us work together to ensure that every individual with sickle cell receives the care and respect they deserve,” she urged.

The event was not only a celebration of past achievements but also a rallying call for the future, inspiring a new generation of healthcare professionals to champion the cause of sickle cell awareness and excellence in care.

With the support of the community and ongoing research, there is hope that those affected by sickle cell in Ghana will continue to thrive.

Health advocates urge increased budget support for immunisation

Health advocates are calling for stronger financial support to sustain Ghana’s immunisation programmes and protect children from life-threatening diseases.

The call was made at a workshop organised by Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Currently, Ghana’s immunisation drive is largely supported by donor funding, but this support is expected to cease by 2028.

HFFG Project Coordinator Sabina Morgan warned that the country risks setbacks in vaccine delivery if it fails to build local vaccine production capacity and strengthen its financing mechanisms.

She highlighted delays in the release of immunisation funds as a major threat, stressing the need for government to close gaps that undermine vaccine availability and the country’s ability to respond quickly during health emergencies.

“Timely and consistent financing for vaccines is not just a health imperative—it is a strategic investment that protects productivity and sustains economic growth,” she said.

GHAI Country Coordinator, Steven Atassige, also urged stronger citizen engagement and sustainable financing strategies in the 2026 national budget.

He commended government for improvements this year, noting that Ghana had already paid $24.6 million in co-financing for traditional vaccines before the end of the third quarter, a significant improvement from previous years.

“This is very encouraging. However, to sustain this progress, immunisation funding must be consistently prioritised in future budgets to prevent payment delays and avoid vaccine stockouts,” he added.

Representing the Ministry of Health, Principal Planner Kwaku Saffu-Mensah reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustaining immunisation programmes despite budgetary pressures and the recent withdrawal of support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

He disclosed that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, is exploring innovative financing measures, including public-private partnerships, to address the shortfall.

He further noted that the ministry has established a Resource Mobilisation Unit and an Intersectoral Collaboration Unit to improve efficiency and ensure resources are used for maximum impact.

Don’t blame mothers for children born with sickle cell disease — Prof. Ekem

A professor of Haematology at the University of Cape Coast, Professor Ivy Ekem, has urged Ghanaians to stop blaming mothers for giving birth to children with sickle cell disease.

The past Vice President of the West African College of Physicians & Head of Department of Haematology at the University of Cape Coast emphasised that the condition is inherited from both parents, making it a shared genetic responsibility.

Delivering a public lecture on Friday, August 29, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, Prof. Ekem said, “If you have a mother or a father who is blaming the wife for a child who has been born with sickle cell disease, it’s not right, because both parents contribute to the condition.”

She clarified that a child can only be born with sickle cell disease if they inherit the gene from both their father and their mother.

She further noted that there are different types of the condition, with some individuals being SS while others are ST.

Prof. Ekem also sought to correct the common misconception that all people with sickle cell disease are constantly ill.

She explained that while the condition can be associated with illness, there are many individuals who live full and healthy lives with proper care and management.

She stressed the importance of moving away from the term “disease” to a more accurate understanding of the condition.
Professor Ekem’s address comes at a crucial time for Ghana, which has one of the highest burdens of sickle cell disease in the world.

Approximately 2% of newborns in the country are born with the condition, which translates to about 15,000 babies each year.

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana estimates that about 10,000 children born with the disease die before their fifth birthday.

The high number of carriers, which is around 20% of the population, further highlights the scale of the challenge.

The Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics has been at the forefront of tackling this issue for the past 50 years, providing essential care, conducting research, and advocating for increased public awareness.

Prof. Ikem’s message reinforces the need for a collaborative approach to sickle cell management, one that involves not only medical professionals but also community education and support to fight the stigma associated with the condition.

Fight against sickle cell is a shared responsibility – Dr Ammah Benneh-Akwasi Kuma

Dr. Ammah Benneh-Akwasi Kuma, the Director of the Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics, has called for a collective national effort to combat sickle cell disease, stating that the responsibility for fighting the condition rests on the shoulders of clinicians, researchers, policymakers, patients, and their families.

Dr. Kuma made the remarks at a public lecture on Friday, August 29, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the institute.

Speaking on the theme, “Translating research into care: 50 years of sickle cell excellence,” Dr. Kuma said the institute was founded five decades ago with a “simple, profound mission to provide hope” to individuals and families living with sickle cell disease.

Dr. Kuma highlighted the institute’s growth into a center for clinical care, research, training, and advocacy.

Dr. Kuma stressed the importance of ensuring that scientific research transcends academic journals and translates into tangible benefits for patients. “Its true value lies in improving the lives of patients, in making diagnosis early, treatment more effective, and support more holistic,” he said.

Dr. Kuma’s call for a shared responsibility is particularly relevant in Ghana, where sickle cell disease remains a significant public health challenge.

According to the Ghana Health Service, 2% of all newborns in the country are born with the condition, and approximately 15,000 babies are affected each year.

This makes Ghana one of the countries with the highest prevalence of the disease globally.

Furthermore, the number of Ghanaians carrying the sickle cell trait, estimated at around 20%, underscores the genetic risk within the population.

Despite the high prevalence, there are promising signs of progress.

The Ghana Institute of Clinical Genetics has been at the forefront of this fight, providing crucial care and conducting research.

However, the disease still accounts for a significant number of deaths, particularly among children under five. The challenge is compounded by limited public awareness, which often leads to late diagnosis and a lack of support for affected individuals and their families.

The institute’s 50th-anniversary celebration is a poignant reminder of the strides made in patient care and research, but also a call to action.

As Dr. Kuma noted, “Together, we can build a future where every child born with sickle cell disease receives the best possible care, and where no life is limited by their condition.”

Adu Boahene trial: 83 pages of defence evidence missing – Atta Akyea

The legal battle against former Director General of the National Signals Bureau (NSB), Charles Adu Boahene, has taken a dramatic turn, with his legal team appealing a court decision after alleging that 83 pages of a crucial bank statement were missing from the prosecution’s documents.

The lawyer for the accused, Samuel Atta-Akyea, has accused the prosecution of a “deficit of evidence” and said the judge is blocking their access to vital information needed for their defence.

The case, which has garnered national attention, sees Adu Boahene, his wife, and two others facing 11 charges, including stealing, money laundering of GH¢49.1 million in state funds, willfully causing financial loss to the state, and abuse of public office.

The prosecution, led by the Attorney-General’s Department, alleges that Adu Boahene, while serving as the Director of the NSB, illegally transferred funds from a state-owned account to a private company.

In an interview on JoyNews on Friday, August 29, Mr Atta-Akyea expressed his frustration with the court’s proceedings.

“The Attorney General withheld about 83 pages of a bank statement that the Attorney General has filed before the court,” he said. “So you could see a deficit of evidence by what the Attorney General filed before the court.”

According to Atta-Akyea, the defence team immediately raised an objection, questioning the whereabouts of the remaining pages.

He claims the judge “blocked it,” preventing the prosecution from providing the missing documents.

“The judge didn’t want them to bring it. This is where we are, fact. These are all facts if you are a journalist following this story and that’s why we’ve appealed the decision of the judge that the judge should not block evidence that the accused persons require to prepare their defence and even use those pieces of evidence to cross-examine the witnesses who are being called,” Atta-Akyea stated.

The defence’s appeal highlights a core tenet of criminal law in Ghana, where the accused has a constitutional right to a fair trial, including access to all evidence that is both inculpatory (points to guilt) and exculpatory (points to innocence).

Mr Atta-Akyea maintains that the missing bank statement pages could hold the key to exonerating his client, or at the very least, allow for a robust cross-examination of the prosecution’s witnesses.

The dispute over the bank statements is not the first time the defence has raised issues with the prosecution’s disclosures.

In an earlier ruling, the court partially granted a motion filed by Atta-Akyea for further disclosures, ordering the Ghana Police Service to provide the defence with information on a BMW vehicle linked to the case.

The prosecution had alleged that Adu Boahene had not declared the vehicle as an asset and had imported it, claims the defence has denied.

But the Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem Sai, has rejected the claims.

In a post on X on Thursday, August 28, he dismissed suggestions that the Attorney-General’s office had lost evidence in the Republic v Adu-Boahene trial.

“The Attorney-General’s office has not lost any evidence regarding the ongoing Republic v Adu-Boahene criminal trial,” he wrote.

Read also: Deputy Attorney-General refutes claims of lost evidence in Adu-Boahene trial

According to him, all relevant documents were intact and had been duly filed before the court.

“As of June 18, we had filed all the documents which we intend to rely on to prove the charges against the four accused persons in the case.

“The documents include contracts of sale, bank wire transfer records, bank account statements, company registration documents, property ownership records and purchase receipts, INTERPOL stolen vehicle records, investigative caution statements and charge statements of each accused person, records of asset non-declaration, a flow chart of money movements through a complex web of bank accounts, and testimonies of our three witnesses.”

Deadly doses: Mental health expert blames technology and parenting failures

A former president of the Ghana Psychological Association (GPA) has attributed the rising trend of drug abuse among the youth to a combination of technological exposure and a decline in effective parenting.

Dr. Collins Badu Agyemang, speaking on JoyNews, in reaction to the latest Hotline documentary “Deadly Doses”, argued that these societal shifts are creating a generation susceptible to behavioural addictions and substance misuse.

Dr. Agyemang acknowledged on Friday, August 29, that while technology and the internet offer numerous advantages, they also expose students to significant risks.

“The students are very much exposed, and that in itself introduces some risk in terms of their behaviour, in terms of some behavioural addictions,” he stated.

This unfiltered exposure, he suggested, is a major factor in the vulnerability of young people.

Furthermore, Dr. Agyemang criticised modern parenting, saying, “parents are no longer parenting.”

He contended that many parents have become solely focused on being financial providers, neglecting the emotional and psychological needs of their children.

This shift, he believes, is a critical problem that must be addressed to protect the youth.

The mental health expert also pointed to a lack of institutional capacity to deal with the problem. According to him, the resources and number of professionals available in counselling centres at tertiary institutions are “deplorable”.

He called on the government to take a more proactive role in equipping these agencies. “We must be intentional when it comes to moulding the minds and behaviour patterns,” he emphasised, stressing the need for a national commitment to providing the necessary support systems.

Watch the full documentary below:

Bail for drug offenders frustrating law enforcement – Top cop reveals

A top police officer has revealed that Ghana’s current bail system for drug possession cases is a significant obstacle in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

According to Chief Superintendent Dr. (Med) Birgit Nuro-Panin, Head of the Psychiatry Department at the Police Hospital, the ability for suspects to be bailed so quickly allows them to evade further investigation and prosecution, undermining police efforts to dismantle drug networks.

Speaking at a JoyNews dialogue titled “Breaking the Chains: Ghana’s Opioid Crisis,” Dr. Nuro-Panin explained that the quick release of suspects poses a major challenge to law enforcement.

“Once you pick someone up, once they are able to go back into their community, they are able to hide better because we are not tracking the person that we’ve picked up,” she said.

She elaborated that police rely on information and intelligence gathered during an arrest to conduct “bigger drug sweeps” and trace the supply chain.

However, with suspects often bailed within an hour, this window of opportunity is lost.

“By the time you get your necessary intelligence, they’ve gone underground,” she lamented.

The police officer also emphasised the critical role of evidence in successful prosecutions, which becomes difficult to secure when the primary source of intelligence disappears.

“It’s not a matter of, oh yeah, we caught this person and they said person A or person B is a distributor or an importer. So with the lack of evidence, it becomes more difficult to prosecute,” she added.

Dr. Nuro-Panin’s comments shed light on one of the key systemic challenges in combating Ghana’s escalating drug problem.

Recent data from the Narcotic Control Board reveals a concerning trend, with 50,000 drug users in Ghana, of which 35,000 are students aged between 12 and 35.

The most commonly abused opioids include Tramadol, as well as the more potent and illicitly imported Tapentadol and Carisoprodol.

Government and regulatory bodies like the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) have ramped up efforts to combat the crisis, including the reclassification of Tramadol as a controlled substance and the destruction of large consignments of illegal opioids at the borders.

A joint task force involving the FDA, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and Customs has also been established to tighten border controls and conduct raids on illicit drug operations.

However, the police’s struggle with the bail system highlights a crucial gap in the country’s multifaceted approach.

While other agencies focus on supply reduction and public awareness, the ability of law enforcement to effectively prosecute offenders is being hampered by legal provisions that, while intended to protect individual rights, are inadvertently frustrating the fight against drug crime.

The challenges raised by Dr. Nuro-Panin underscore the need for a comprehensive review of legal frameworks to better support the efforts of security agencies in tackling the nation’s drug crisis.

Opioid abuse: We’re failing the youth – Mental Health Authority boss warns

Ghana’s fight against substance abuse has reached a critical stage, with the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority, Dr. Eugene K. Dordoye, delivering a stark warning that the nation is “failing the youth” in the face of a growing opioid crisis.

Speaking at a JoyNews dialogue themed “Breaking the chains: Ghana’s opioid crisis” on Thursday, August 28, Dr. Dordoye highlighted the unique dangers of opioid addiction for the developing brains of young people.

The dialogue follows JoyNews’ latest investigative documentary, Deadly Doses, which uncovered a surge in drug use among young people in the Ashanti Region.

According to Dr. Dordoye,  a consultant psychiatrist and addiction expert, the addictive nature of opioids is particularly aggressive, as the brain quickly develops a tolerance to the drug, requiring ever-increasing doses to achieve the same effect.

“Unfortunately, very unfortunately, the mind is such that if you take drugs of abuse. Tomorrow, it will demand more, because what you took today will not give you the same high tomorrow,” he explained.

The Head of Department at the University of Health and Allied Sciences also cautioned about the life-threatening risks associated with both overdose and withdrawal.

“If you take too much of it too at a time, you can get overdose death because the drug would depress your respiratory centre, meaning that you start breathing very slowly, so you don’t get enough energy or oxygen into your body to use, so you more or less suffocate,” he warned.

The danger, he added, is not limited to overdose.

Abruptly stopping long-term use can trigger a severe withdrawal syndrome that can also be fatal, making professional medical supervision essential for those attempting to quit, he revealed.

Dr. Dordoye underscored the demographic most at risk: the youth.

He cited an alarming statistic that about one in four people who begin drug abuse before the age of 19 will become dependent on it, compared to just one in nine who start after age 24.

This highlights a heightened vulnerability of the young, developing brain.

“If we are able to protect our young people for some time before they start using, we stand a higher chance of them not getting into it,” he stated.

However, he lamented the lack of adequate protective measures. “Unfortunately, we are not protecting our young ones, and I think as a nation, we are failing them,” he said.

Opioid abuse in Ghana has been primarily driven by the misuse of Tramadol, a synthetic opioid, which is widely used by young men in the informal sector to cope with the physical and non-physical pains of strenuous work and economic hardship.

However, the crisis has evolved, with a surge in the illicit importation of even more potent opioids like Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, often under unregistered brands like Tafrodol and Timaking.

Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and other security agencies have intercepted large shipments of these unapproved drugs at entry points, underscoring the severity of the illegal trade.

Recent efforts by the government and regulatory bodies include:

• Reclassification of Tramadol: It is now a controlled drug, restricting its sale to prescription use only.
• Destruction of Illicit Drugs: The Ministry of Health and the FDA have publicly destroyed large consignments of illegal opioids to deter traffickers and raise public awareness.
• Inter-agency Collaboration: A joint task force involving the FDA, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and Customs is intensifying checks at borders and conducting raids to remove illicit substances from circulation.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives like the “Daabi-Say No to Drug Abuse” campaign are targeting the youth through innovative means, including music videos featuring popular artists.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including porous borders and limited inter-agency intelligence sharing.

As Dr. Dordoye’s words echo, a more concerted and sustained national effort is needed to protect Ghana’s youth from the devastating and often fatal consequences of opioid abuse.

Opioids are essential for pain relief but pose a high addiction risk – FDA

The Head of the Substances of Abuse Department at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Dr. Allotey-Pappoe, has cautioned that Ghana faces a growing risk from the misuse of opioids, warning that their addictive nature poses a major public health concern.

Speaking at the JoyNews National Dialogue on Ghana’s opioid crisis on Thursday, August 28, Dr. Allotey-Pappoe explained that opioids, a class of drugs derived either naturally from the poppy plant or synthesized in laboratories, play a dual role in healthcare and abuse.

“When we talk about opioids, we are talking about a class of drugs that come from the poppy plant. We have those that are naturally obtained, such as heroin and morphine, and others that are synthetically derived, like tramadol, tapentadol, and fentanyl,” she said.

According to her, while opioids remain essential in clinical settings for the management of moderate to severe pain, their psychoactive properties make them highly addictive.

“Opioids trigger the release of endorphins, creating feelings of excitement and happiness. That is how people get hooked, because of the euphoria that comes with it,” she noted.

Dr. Allotey-Pappoe stressed that no responsible clinician would prescribe opioids for long-term use due to the high risk of dependence.

In Ghana, she said, only tramadol doses of 50 and 100 milligrams are legally permitted, while codeine-containing cough syrups have been banned since 2019 following widespread abuse.

She further disclosed that tapentadol, a synthetic opioid recently entering the Ghanaian market, is not registered for medical use in the country and does not appear in national treatment guidelines.

“Any tapentadol you see on the market is unregistered and therefore illegal,” she cautioned.