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Prof Zottor urges journalists to lead public nutrition awareness in Volta and Oti regions

The Director of AfriCAN and internationally certified nutritionist, Prof. Francis B. Zottor, has challenged journalists in the Volta and Oti Regions to become key partners in driving Ghana’s nutrition agenda by using their platforms to reshape public understanding of nutrition.

Speaking at a training session organised for media professionals under the Nkabom Collaboration, Prof. Zottor described the initiative as a “game-changer,” uniting education, research, and innovation to tackle malnutrition and open up career opportunities for young professionals.

“Let down your head, relax, and forget where you’re coming from. Leave here with the knowledge that will change everything about you,” he said in an encouraging address to the journalists.
Ghana Chosen for Integrity

Prof. Zottor revealed that while the pilot nutrition research project initially considered Nigeria, Tanzania, and South Africa, Ghana was ultimately selected for its track record of integrity and hard work.

“They said Ghanaians are honest, diligent, and will give the right results. That’s why the study began right here in February – and in no other place than with you,” he emphasised.

The partnership, spearheaded by the MasterCard Foundation and involving institutions like UHAS, KNUST, the University of Ghana, COVET Technical University, and AGI, has already secured close to $10 million to train future experts in clinical epidemiology, maternal nutrition, reproductive health, and monitoring and evaluation.

From Classroom to Community Impact

Prof. Zottor stressed the need to shift from producing unemployed graduates to nurturing job creators.
“We’re tired of training students who finish school only to join the unemployment queue. We want to empower them to become entrepreneurs,” he said.

He cited examples of transformation, such as Delali, a freelance nutritionist working with top universities, and Selorm, an entrepreneur pursuing a PhD while making a difference at the grassroots.

“These are the kinds of students the Nkabom collaboration is developing – system-ready and solution-driven,” Prof. Zottor said.

A 10-Year, $100M Vision

The Nkabom collaboration is a 10-year initiative that will channel over $100 million into fighting malnutrition across Africa, with Ghana serving as a key hub. “We can’t collect this money and sit in glass houses. We need the media to understand how to report nutrition issues so that the public is informed and involved,” he told participants.

Prof. Zottor was clear that the funding must serve the people by building sustainable systems and solving real-world challenges in food security, health, and livelihoods.

Journalists as Change Agents

Calling the media “critical change agents,” Prof. Zottor encouraged journalists to take ownership of the national nutrition narrative. “You cannot just live to eat. You must eat to live – and live to empower others with what you know,” he added.

Looking Ahead

The training is part of a broader agenda to develop regional centres of excellence in nutrition and health sciences, deepening collaboration between academia, industry, and the media.

“This collaboration has come to stay. Let’s work together to make the Volta and Oti Regions the beacon of nutrition excellence in Africa,” Prof. Zottor concluded.

Ashanti GRNMA accuses health ministry of sabotaging planned strike

The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has accused the Ministry of Health of attempting to sabotage its planned industrial action through internal interference and undue influence on member unions.

The accusation comes as the association defied an invitation to meet with the Minister of Health to discuss their concerns further, signalling their intent to press ahead with the strike.

In a surprising development, four key nursing and midwifery unions have distanced themselves from the industrial action, which was scheduled to commence today, Monday, June 2. The decision by these unions to withdraw support has sparked allegations of governmental interference.

At the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, the strike is visibly taking shape, with nurses and midwives wearing red armbands in protest against what they describe as delays in addressing their concerns.

Speaking to JoyNews, Philmon Adu Brempong, First Deputy Chairman of the GRNMA in the Ashanti Region, expressed frustration over the Ministry’s conduct. He alleged that the Ministry is deliberately attempting to weaken the association’s position in the ongoing advocacy for improved conditions of service.

He called on members of the association to remain resolute and united in their stance, stressing the importance of maintaining full compliance with the strike action until their demands are addressed satisfactorily.

JoyNews’ Hannah Odame who visited some health facilities in Accra to assess the start of the strike reported that whereas some nurses and midwives had their red arm bands on, others did not show signs that they had joined in the strike.

Bleached Babies: The toxic beauty obsession endangering Ghana’s children

A joint investigation by JoyNews and Nigeria Health Watch has uncovered a disturbing public health crisis: parents in Ghana are bleaching the skin of their babies and children as young as three using toxic, banned substances.

In communities like Chorkor, a densely populated fishing enclave in Accra, skin tone is becoming a status symbol, and children are the latest victims. Mothers are applying creams containing dangerous ingredients like hydroquinone, mometasone, and tretinoin, all banned by Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA). Some even resort to household bleach—hypochlorite—commonly sold as Parazone.

Caro, a fishmonger and mother of two, says beauty in her community begins with lighter skin. She started bleaching her children when they were just three. “They were born dark. I didn’t like that,” she said. “Now their skin is lighter. That’s beauty.”

Caro uses a cream called Skin Light, one of the most popular on the market despite its banned ingredients. She knows it’s harmful. “Yes, it can cause kidney failure or skin cancer. But I’ve found my way around it,” she claims. The financial cost is high, but the social pressure is higher.

She is not alone.

Naa Ashorkor, another mother in Chorkor, says keeping children’s skin fair is a major priority for many parents. “Some use bleach found in detergents,” she confessed. “It’s what makes them look acceptable.” To them, light skin means beauty, class, and opportunity.

FDA’s Head of Cosmetics, Emmanuel Nkrumah, says the use of hypochlorite on human skin, especially children, is extremely dangerous. “It’s not designed for the skin. It’s toxic,” he warned.

The skin-lightening craze is not limited to topical creams. Some women are using intravenous methods—injecting bleaching agents directly into their bloodstream. These risky procedures are offered in unregulated beauty clinics across urban neighbourhoods, charging as much as GH¢1,500 per session.

Dr. Titus Beyuo, a gynaecologist and former Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, confirms a rise in mothers bleaching newborns. He says some do it to dispel suspicion about the baby’s paternity. “It’s happening more than we think,” he said.

In 2018, the FDA issued a public alert over the use of cosmetic pills by pregnant women aiming to lighten their unborn babies’ skin. Now, intravenous bleaching poses an even greater risk. “It affects every part of the body,” Dr. Beyuo warned.

Former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service and current Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Nsiah Asare, says this must stop. “Parents do not have the right to bleach their children. There are laws to protect children from harmful practices.”

Despite limited studies on child skin bleaching in Ghana, the World Health Organisation reports that over a third of Ghanaians tone their skin. The figures are even higher in other African countries: 77% in Nigeria, 25% in Mali.

In Chorkor, the trend is deeply entrenched. Even residents like Quaynor Allotey, whose sisters bleach their children, express alarm. Yet the practice continues, driven by societal ideals that associate fair skin with worth.

Behind every bottle of bleaching cream, every bar of whitening soap, lies a painful truth: children are being taught that their natural skin is not enough. The damage is not only physical—it’s psychological, generational, and cultural.

But this cycle can be broken.

The true beauty of Ghana lies not in the shade of one’s skin but in the resilience of its people and the richness of its heritage. We must say enough. We must protect our children.

Let this documentary be more than a report. Let it be a call to action—for education, for regulation, and a cultural awakening.

No child should ever feel they must change their skin to be loved, respected, or accepted. Let self-worth shine brighter than any cream ever could.

This investigation was supported by Nigeria Health Watch.

Breaking the cycle: School girls in Techiman unite against child marriage, demand menstrual dignity

In a powerful convergence of education, protection, and dignity, over 300 final-year students from Islamic schools across the Techiman Metropolis gathered today for a vital mission: safeguarding their futures against child marriage while demanding menstrual equity.

The event, marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, resonated with urgent calls to action following a chilling revelation from a traditional leader.

Organised by a 2023 Joy News Impact Makers Awardee and CEO of the Ellen White Sustainable Foundation, the sensitisation programme armed the girls with critical knowledge as they prepare for their upcoming final exams.

Ellen White Opoku – 2023 Joy News Impact Makers Awardee

The core message was unequivocal: prioritise education, reject child marriage, and speak out.

“Your exams are your passport to freedom. Child marriage is a dead-end street trapping your dreams,” declared the Girl Child Coordinator, Ellen White Opoku.

“If you see it, hear it, or face it – report it immediately to your teachers, authorities, or our Foundation. Your voice is your strongest shield.” She added.

The gathering took a deeply emotional turn when Nana Ama Asantewaa Munufie, Queenmother of the Hansua Traditional Area, took the podium. Linking the lack of menstrual hygiene products directly to devastating vulnerability and exploitation, she delivered a raw and urgent plea to parents.

Nana Ama Asantewaa Munufie – Queenmother, Hansua

“When your daughter bleeds, it is life, not shame! Denying her sanitary pads is leaving her naked to predators!” Queenmother Munufie stated forcefully.

She recounted a tragedy from her own community: “A young girl, desperate and ashamed during her menses. A man saw her need. He offered to buy her pads… and stole her innocence. He took advantage of the situation and impregnated her. This horror is our collective failure when we neglect this basic need!”

Her testimony laid bare the dangerous intersection of period poverty and sexual exploitation – a pathway that can lead directly to forced child marriages.

Queenmother Munufie’s call extended beyond parents as she called on Philanthropists and NGOs to intervene by supporting vulnerable girls with sanitary products, which are essential in keeping girls safe and healthy.

Metropolitan Girl Child Coordinator Ellen White Opoku emphasised that tackling child marriage requires addressing its root causes, including the vulnerabilities exacerbated by menstrual poverty.

The event combined awareness-raising on reporting mechanisms with practical discussions on menstrual health management, weaving a stronger safety net for the attendees.

This gathering highlights the critical, often overlooked link between menstrual dignity and the prevention of child marriage and exploitation.

The Queenmother’s firsthand account provides undeniable evidence of how the simple lack of sanitary pads can have catastrophic consequences, derailing education and trapping girls in cycles of vulnerability. The unified call for the government’s free pad policy to become an immediate reality adds significant weight to a growing national demand.

Support children battling cancer -Lifeline for Childhood Cancer appeals

In Ghana, the survival rate for children diagnosed with cancer remains alarmingly low, even though nearly 80% of childhood cancers are curable. The main obstacles are a severe lack of adequate treatment facilities and overwhelming financial burdens that prevent many families from accessing care.

The Executive Director of Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana, Akua Sarpong, is calling on individuals, businesses, and faith-based organizations to rally behind children bravely fighting cancer as they embark on a 48-bed pediatric cancer care facility at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

For years, Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana has lived up to providing essential support and treatment for children at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). Now, the organisation is embarking on its most ambitious mission – the construction of a 40-bed pediatric cancer care facility at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. This new center will more than double the current treatment capacity, giving hundreds of young patients a renewed chance at life.

According to Madam Sarpong, they are looking forward to raising an amount of $1.1 million to complete the project, adding that the project construction has reached the third floor and the next milestone is roofing.

She shared this update at a recent art auction fundraiser, hosted in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz CFAO Showroom, under the theme: “Little Hands, Big Dreams, A Children’s Art Exhibition for Pediatric Cancer Care.”

She also highlighted a sobering reality that Ghana sees an estimated 1,500 new childhood cancer cases each year, yet fewer than 500 are diagnosed.

The primary reason, she noted, is due to a lack of space, awareness, and resources, adding that the new facility aims to change that.

“Beyond treatment, Lifeline empowers children through art therapy and supports their families by teaching income-generating skills. We’re not just providing medical care—we’re offering hope, healing, and dignity.”

Parliament approves GHS10 billion for National Health Insurance Authority

Parliament of Ghana on Friday approved the 2025 formula for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), allocating 10 billion Ghana Cedi to the Fund.

The NHIF provides financial backing for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a social intervention programme intended to provide access to healthcare for all Ghanaians.

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is the government agency that manages the NHIF and ensures that the citizens are adequately catered for under the NHIS.

The proposed formula for the disbursement of the Fund are as follows: 2025 claims of GHc6.5 billion (65.1%), National Health Insurance Authority’s operational expenses of GHc1.2 billion (12.3%), support to the National Health Insurance Scheme District offices amounting to GHc124 million (1.2%) and GH¢984 million allocated to the Ministry of Health, representing 9.8 per cent.

Addressing the media in Parliament House in Accra on Friday, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, said in 2024, six billion Ghana cedi was allocated to the NHIF, therefore allocating GH¢10 billion to the Fund this year would witness an increase in resource allocation.

The Minister explained that due to the uncapping of the NHIF in the 2025 Budget, the excess funds would be directed to supporting primary healthcare, fill the revenue gap created by withdrawal of donor support to the health sector and other portions would go to support the Ghana Trust  Fund, otherwise known as ‘Mahama Care’.

Mr Akandoh indicated that beyond the aforementioned allocations, the NHIF would also allocate funds towards dialysis treatment under the NHIS.

The Mahama-led Government had also put in place a policy framework for dialysis treatment in the country, the Minister stated.

Mr Akandoh noted that available statistics showed 45 per cent of mortality in the country was as a result of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), therefore, the Mahama Care initiative would provide funding for chronic NCDs including stroke and kidney infections.

The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is funded through a combination of the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions, and returns on NHIF investments. 

The NHIF ensures that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) established by government in 2003 provide financial access to quality healthcare for Ghanaians. 

Dr. Elton Afari crowned Best CEO in Private Health Insurance at Ghana CEO Summit 2025

Dr Elton Fredrick Afari, Chief Executive Officer of Equity Health Insurance, has been honoured as the CEO of the Year in the Private Health Insurance category at the 9th Ghana CEO Summit held on 26 May 2025 at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra.

The Ghana CEO Summit is a premier annual event that brings together top executives, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss strategies for economic transformation and sustainable business practices.

The 2025 summit, themed “Leading Ghana’s Economic Reset: Transforming Business and Governance for a Sustainable Futuristic Economy,” focused on fostering public-private collaboration and promoting innovative leadership.

Dr Afari’s recognition stems from his exemplary leadership at Equity Health Insurance, where he has spearheaded initiatives to expand access to quality healthcare services across Ghana. Under his guidance, the company has seen significant growth, introducing innovative insurance plans tailored to various demographics and investing in technology to streamline services.

In his acceptance remarks, Dr Afari expressed gratitude to his team and stakeholders, stating, “This honour is a testament to the unwavering dedication of the entire Equity Health Insurance team. It reflects our commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all.

The award adds to Dr Afari’s accolades, including Equity Health Insurance being named the Best Growing Private Health Insurance Company of the Year at the 7th Ghana Insurance Awards in 2024.

Dr Afari holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the Nobel International Business School in Accra, Ghana, and has been recognized for his contributions to entrepreneurship and mentorship in the healthcare sector.

A Smokeless Future for Ghana: Why World Vape Day 2025 marks a turning point in Tobacco harm reduction

This year’s World Vape Day marks a significant milestone, two decades since the emergence of vaping technology as a transformative tool in global tobacco harm reduction efforts. Modern vaping devices were first developed in China in 2003 as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, delivering nicotine through vapour rather than combustion. By 2005, these products began entering markets in Europe and the United States, quickly gaining popularity among smokers seeking less harmful alternatives.

The scientific evidence supporting smokeless products as effective harm reduction tools is strong. Decades of research have demonstrated that the primary health hazard of smoking lies in the toxic substances produced during combustion. Products such as vapour devices, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches eliminate combustion entirely, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals by an estimated 90% to 99% compared to conventional cigarettes.

Ghana is at a pivotal point in its public health journey. The country needs forward-thinking, science-based policies to effectively address tobacco use and reduce health burdens. Recognising and regulating existing vaping products on the market is an essential step. Ghana requires an amendment to its Public Health Act (PHA) to explicitly acknowledge vaping devices and other low-risk nicotine products, establishing a clear legal framework that ensures safety, quality standards, and appropriate access.

It is vital to emphasise that this approach is not about encouraging nicotine use among non-smokers or youth. Instead, it offers adult smokers a significantly less harmful alternative, empowering informed choices and supporting health improvement. Accessible, well-regulated THR products, coupled with accurate, evidence-based information, can become valuable tools in Ghana’s public health toolkit. This is not an abandonment of traditional tobacco control measures; rather, it is a strategic evolution designed to meet people where they are, with science-backed solutions.

Countries that have embraced modern regulatory approaches are already witnessing positive outcomes. Sweden’s long-standing use of oral tobacco, like snus, has contributed to the country having the lowest smoking rates in the European Union and some of the lowest lung cancer and smoking-related death rates. Similarly, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the United States have seen reductions in smoking prevalence and tobacco-related harm through balanced regulation and public education, recognising the importance of providing smokers with reduced-risk alternatives.

For Ghana, the opportunity exists to implement a comprehensive, evidence-based regulatory framework that allows for the lawful recognition and oversight of vaping products. Such regulation can help curb illicit trade, ensure product safety, and prevent underage access. It is crucial that enforcement measures are robust and that consumer protection remains a priority.

Public education is equally important. Clear, unbiased information about the relative risks of smoking versus using vaping or other smokeless products helps adults make informed, healthier decisions. Building trust and open dialogue among scientists, policymakers, public health officials, and industry stakeholders will ensure Ghana’s policies are tailored to its social realities and health needs.

On this Vape Day, Ghana can demonstrate leadership by advancing policies that recognise the role of regulated vaping products in reducing harm. The scientific consensus confirms that providing adult smokers with access to safer alternatives can significantly reduce the health impacts of tobacco use. This moment is an opportunity to set a path that prioritises health, evidence, and innovation, shaping a future in which fewer Ghanaians suffer from tobacco-related diseases.

Let this be the moment Ghana chooses a health-focused, science-based path forward.

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The author, Dr John Tengey, is a Ghanaian medical professional and public health expert with extensive experience in clinical practice, epidemiology, and health advocacy.

GHOSPA appeals for financial clearance to engage pharmacist house officers

The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has issued an urgent call to the Ministry of Finance to immediately grant financial clearance for the deployment of 599 pharmacist house officers, warning that failure to do so could spark a national crisis in pharmaceutical care.

This appeal follows the imminent exit of 333 house officers at the end of May, a situation GHOSPA says will create a dangerous gap in the delivery of essential pharmaceutical services across the country’s healthcare facilities.

“The 599 qualified pharmacist house officers awaiting posting have completed their training and are ready to fill these critical roles. However, their deployment is unjustifiably stalled due to pending financial clearance,” GHOSPA said in a press release issued on 28 May.

The association painted a dire picture of what could happen if the Ministry fails to act. “The simultaneous exit of 333 house officers without immediate replacement will overwhelm remaining pharmacists who are already understaffed, leading to medication errors, delayed treatments, and compromised patient safety,” it warned.

GHOSPA also noted that the failure to post new pharmacists would severely disrupt around-the-clock pharmaceutical services, including antimicrobial stewardship, chronic disease management, and emergency care, ultimately putting patient lives at risk.

The association is calling on the Ministry of Finance to act without delay. It urged the government to: expedite and grant financial clearance immediately to prevent a collapse in pharmaceutical services; prioritise healthcare workforce sustainability by ensuring seamless transitions between outgoing and incoming house officers; and engage with the Ministry of Health, Pharmacy Council, and GHOSPA to resolve this and future delays proactively.

“The consequences of inaction are dire,” GHOSPA warned, adding that further delays would “increase workload and burnout for already stretched pharmacists” and “undermine Ghana’s healthcare system, eroding public trust and worsening health outcomes.”

GHOSPA reminded the government that pharmacists are not simply dispensers of medication but vital healthcare providers whose absence would seriously affect hospital operations.

“We cannot afford bureaucratic delays when lives are at stake. By granting clearance, the government will safeguard the continuity of high-quality pharmaceutical services and affirm its commitment to the health and well-being of all Ghanaian citizens,” the statement stressed.

The association concluded by urging the media, civil society, and the public to rally behind its call. “GHOSPA calls on the Ministry of Finance to act NOW to avert this looming crisis. We also urge the media, civil society, and the public to join us in demanding an urgent resolution to this pressing issue.”