Author: johnmahama

Ghana, a West African nation with a population of approximately 33 million, has made significant strides in managing infectious diseases over the decades. However, the rise of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (ERIDs) poses a formidable challenge to its public health system. Diseases such as Human Metapneumovirus, Cholera, Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) and the re-emergence of previously controlled pathogens like poliovirus highlight the need for robust surveillance, research, and response mechanisms. While international donor support, particularly from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has played a pivotal role in bolstering Ghana’s health infrastructure, the question remains: Where does Ghana stand…

For Brian Kreher, a fourth-generation farmer in the small town of Clarence, New York, the latest outbreak of bird flu has meant many sleepless nights. He considers his 18-acre farm one of the lucky ones. With extensive safety precautions, he hasn’t lost any birds to the virus, which has ravaged poultry farms across the US. But the outbreak forced him to make tough calls, like deciding whether to accept a new batch of baby chicks from a hatchery near a virus hotspot in Pennsylvania. If he didn’t, he would have no chickens to replace those that die or get sick.…

The plight of informal sector workers took center stage at a Regional Stakeholder Conference on Labour Rights and Social Protection, organized by Songtaba in collaboration with Oxfam in Ghana.The event aimed to address critical issues such as workplace protections, fair wages, and social security for workers in the informal economy.The informal sector constitutes a significant portion of Ghana’s workforce, yet many employees operate without fundamental protections, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and economic insecurity.Recognizing this gap, Songtaba, in partnership with Oxfam in Ghana, spearheaded a stakeholder engagement focusing on workplace sexual harassment charters and equitable gender model workplace policies. This…

Dr. Akuffo Dampare, Inspector General of Police The Ghana Police Service has refuted a social media publication alleging that the Service has neglected Police Inspector Alfred N. Kuuzaa, who is currently receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.He sustained gunshot wounds from an attack while returning from the December 7, 2024 general elections at Atebubu in the Bono East Region. Accotrding to a statement issued by the Police Service, the service has taken all necessary steps to ensure the injured officer receives the best medical care.”We have strictly followed all the instructions and directions of the attending medical team…

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has told G20 foreign ministers that a commitment to multilateralism and international law is vital to solving global crises. His comments follow growing concern about the Trump administration’s “America First” policy, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio boycotting the meeting and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying he will not attend next week’s gathering of G20 finance ministers. Rubio said he would not “coddle anti-Americanism”, while Bessent said he had other commitments in Washington. South Africa is the first African state to lead the G20, hoping to advance the interests of developing nations in talks…

Successive governments in Ghana have continuously struggled with the issue of repatriating foreign beggars from the country despite numerous efforts.ScenarioFor instance, initiatives aimed at identifying and deporting these individuals have encountered various challenges, such as legal barriers and lack of cooperation from other countries.The lack of a comprehensive strategy to address this issue has further compounded the problem in the country, especially Kumasi where the foreign beggars and their children have taken over the principal streets.The presence of foreign beggars, especially those from Niger, Nigeria, Chad, South Sudan and other neighboring countries, not only strain local resources but also raises…

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mr. Simon Madjie, met with the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare, to discuss collaborative strategies for enhancing Ghana’s business environment and attracting investment. During a courtesy call on the Minister, Mr. Madjie outlined the Centre’s plans to map investment opportunities across all districts in Ghana. This initiative, he explained, would result in a comprehensive database of regional investment prospects, enabling both GIPC and the Ministry to effectively market them during trade missions. “One of our priorities is to identify investment opportunities across every district in…

The Ministry of Education and UNICEF Ghana have announced the approval of a three-year Systems Capacity Grant (SCG) from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) valued at USD $2.23 million. The grant, which will be in effect from January 2025 to December 2027, aims to strengthen Ghana’s education sector by enhancing systemic capacity, improving policy planning, and fostering sustainable educational reforms.As the designated Grant Agent, UNICEF Ghana will work closely with the Ministry of Education to implement key initiatives.The SCG will focus on strengthening education programs for both boys and girls at national and decentralized levels, reviewing and updating the…

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the team fighting illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey to seize excavators instead of destroying them.President Mahama emphasized the necessity of a methodical strategy that strikes a balance between sustainable mining methods and enforcement.He made this statement following a visit from Christian Council members to the Jubilee House on Friday, February 21.He noted that roughly 1.8 million Ghanaians work in small-scale mining, making it a major employment and displacement issue in response to worries about the expanding impact of galamsey.Although he acknowledged that small-scale mining is permitted, he emphasized that it needs to…

French troops helped protect civilians during the civil war in Ivory Coast from 2002-07 France said on Thursday it would keep 80 military personnel in Ivory Coast largely for training purposes, as it handed over control of a military base in the commercial capital amid a scaling back of its forces across West and Central Africa. At Thursday’s ceremony in Abidjan, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said France was “not disappearing”. The 80 military personnel would form “the basis of a joint detachment … depending on the needs you express, needs that will be constantly reassessed, particularly in terms of…