Gambia News Gazette

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia has been elected to serve as a member of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for a four-year term.

In 1946 the Commission on the Status of Women was established to promote the advancement of women throughout the world.

The Commission continues to provide unique opportunities for exchange of ideas, experiences, good practices and lessons-learned to enhance implementation of commitments at national level, through interactive expert panels on the themes under consideration and roundtables for high level representatives attending the annual sessions.

Ethiopia is elected to be a member of UN Commission on the Status of Women for a four-year term of office beginning at the first meeting of the Commission’s seventieth session in 2025 and expiring at the close of its seventy-third session in 2029, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The Ada East District office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has met with members of communities that were affected by the recent river and sea waves.

Mr Ebenezer Teye-Nartey Kisseh, the Ada East District NADMO officer, toured the communities to get an overview of what happened and the way forward.

Mr. Kisseh, responding to issues raised by the people on the dredging of the river, disclosed that the government had already captured it in the budget, emphasising that the government had given the Volta River Authority (VRA) power over the river; therefore, anything concerning it will be handled as soon as possible.

‘We had meetings with the VRA, and they have the dredging in the pipeline, so, we are hoping that they will do it as soon as possible; therefore, it is not the mandate of the district assembly or NADMO to dredge the river,’ he stated.

Mr. Agudey Teyekpiti, an elder of the community, said residents had over the years tried their best to convince the District Assembly to rel
ease their share of the Community Development Fund, which was gotten from the sale of premix fuel, to enable them to create an embankment along the river bank, but were yet to be successful with it.

According to him, the said fund would have also aided them in dredging the river to prevent such flooding.

He disclosed that even though the District Assembly has proposed to build a CHPS compound with the Community Development Fund for them, they see it as the least of their problems compared to the perennial flooding.

The community leaders indicated that they were eager to dredge the river by themselves, stating that they had already contacted a businessman in the area to assist with his dredging machine, to which he had agreed.

They, however, said that the fuel cost of the machine was what had delayed them, adding that they were now relying on the benevolence of non-governmental organisations and volunteers to embark on the project.

Meanwhile, when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the area, it was obser
ved that the water had receded and parts of the land were drying up, making it possible for residents to continue with their daily activities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Constant Tchona, the Country Director, Plan International Ghana, has called on government to join forces with relevant institutions to confront the many challenges adolescents face.

In Ghana, while significant strides had been made in improving adolescent health and education, he said adolescents faced a myriad of obstacles such as child marriage and teenage pregnancy, poverty, unemployment and violence, on their journey to adulthood.

Meanwhile, he said the voices of adolescents remained unheard, with their needs unmet, and their potential untapped.

Mr Tchona made the call at a ‘National Advocacy Forum for Adolescents’ organised by Plan International Ghana in Accra on the theme: ‘What Young People Want.’

The forum was a call for meaningful engagement between adolescents and policy makers, to ensure commitment mobilization, and accountability.

It was also an opportunity for decision-makers to listen, learn, and act upon the priorities identified by the adolescent population.

The Country Director said:
‘This is why a forum like this stands as a beacon of hope, a platform where the dreams and aspirations of our youth take centre stage. We gather here not only to listen but to truly hear and understand what young people want for their well-being, their future, and their country.’

By leveraging their expertise, networks, and influence, Mr Tchona said Plan sought to ensure that government commitments translated into concrete actions that positively impacted the lives of adolescents across the country.

Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, the Minister Designate of Health, in a speech read on his behalf, said adolescence was a critical period of development, and the experiences adolescents had at that period could have a profound impact on their health and well-being throughout their lives.

He said government’s comprehensive commitment to adolescent well-being, spanning finance, programme, and service delivery, signed by the Minister of Health in 2023 and showcased at the 78th UN General Assembly, served as a testament to it
s unwavering dedication to championing the rights and health of adolescents.

‘It signifies our collective acknowledgment of the multifaceted challenges confronting our young people, including child marriage, teenage pregnancy, HIV, Gender-based violence, substance abuse, and poverty,’ he noted.

Dr Okoe-Boye said government’s commitment to adolescent well-being resonated with the West and Central African Commitment, which underscored the imperative of implementing comprehensive education and information programmes, enhancing sexual and reproductive health services, and addressing gender inequalities and sexual and gender-based violence.

‘These principles align seamlessly with our vision for adolescent well-being in Ghana, and we stand ready to translate them into actionable initiatives. As the Ministry of Health, we pledge to harness the resources and expertise of our ministry to support this noble cause fully,’ he added.

Dr Frank Lule, the Officer-In-Charge, WHO Ghana, in a speech read on his behalf, said
through collaborative initiatives with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, such as conducting training needs assessments to building capacities of service providers, WHO had played a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of quality adolescent and youth-friendly health services.

‘Notably, our partnership with the Ghana Health Service has led to the piloting and scaling of a digital web1 based platform for monitoring the quality of adolescent and youth-friendly health services in 43 senior high schools.

‘This innovative platform has empowered over 30,000 students to provide feedback on their experiences with service provision, thereby shaping the future of adolescent health care delivery in Ghana,’ he said.

Dr Lule admonished them to remember that their ultimate goal was to translate the discussions at the forum into tangible actions, as they deliberated on the priorities and aspirations of young people.

‘By the end of this conference, it is imperative that we establish robust accountabilit
y mechanisms to track the implementation of our commitments. Only through concerted efforts and unwavering dedication can we realize the vision of sustainable development goals related to adolescent health and universal health care,’ he added.

The forum was also attended by representatives of the Ministries of Health, Gender, Children and Social Protection and Education, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the National Youth Authority.

Students participated from the Labone Senior High School, Accra Girls Senior High, Tema School of the Death and Corpus Christi Senior High Schools, Tema all in the Greater Accra Region.

From the Central Region, students from the Mfanteman Girls Senior High School, St. Augustine’s Senior High School, Cape Coast School of the Death, Assin Manso Senior High School, Methodist High School, Assin North Senior High School and Wesley Girls Senior High school took part in the forum.

The rest were the Aburi Girls Senior High School, Krobo Girls S
enior High School, Ofori Panyin Senior High School and Methodist Girls Senior High School, Mamfe in the Eastern Region.

Established in Ghana in 1992, Plan International has been at the forefront of championing children’s rights and equality for girls for over three decades and worldwide, the nongovernmental organisation operates in over 80 countries, working tirelessly to promote sustainable development and ensuring that every child, regardless of gender or background, can reach their full potentials.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Constant Tchona, the Country Director, Plan International Ghana, has called on government to join forces with relevant institutions to confront the many challenges adolescents face.

In Ghana, while significant strides had been made in improving adolescent health and education, he said adolescents faced a myriad of obstacles such as child marriage and teenage pregnancy, poverty, unemployment and violence, on their journey to adulthood.

Meanwhile, he said the voices of adolescents remained unheard, with their needs unmet, and their potential untapped.

Mr Tchona made the call at a ‘National Advocacy Forum for Adolescents’ organised by Plan International Ghana in Accra on the theme: ‘What Young People Want.’

The forum was a call for meaningful engagement between adolescents and policy makers, to ensure commitment mobilization, and accountability.

It was also an opportunity for decision-makers to listen, learn, and act upon the priorities identified by the adolescent population.

The Country Director said:
‘This is why a forum like this stands as a beacon of hope, a platform where the dreams and aspirations of our youth take centre stage. We gather here not only to listen but to truly hear and understand what young people want for their well-being, their future, and their country.’

By leveraging their expertise, networks, and influence, Mr Tchona said Plan sought to ensure that government commitments translated into concrete actions that positively impacted the lives of adolescents across the country.

Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, the Minister Designate of Health, in a speech read on his behalf, said adolescence was a critical period of development, and the experiences adolescents had at that period could have a profound impact on their health and well-being throughout their lives.

He said government’s comprehensive commitment to adolescent well-being, spanning finance, programme, and service delivery, signed by the Minister of Health in 2023 and showcased at the 78th UN General Assembly, served as a testament to it
s unwavering dedication to championing the rights and health of adolescents.

‘It signifies our collective acknowledgment of the multifaceted challenges confronting our young people, including child marriage, teenage pregnancy, HIV, Gender-based violence, substance abuse, and poverty,’ he noted.

Dr Okoe-Boye said government’s commitment to adolescent well-being resonated with the West and Central African Commitment, which underscored the imperative of implementing comprehensive education and information programmes, enhancing sexual and reproductive health services, and addressing gender inequalities and sexual and gender-based violence.

‘These principles align seamlessly with our vision for adolescent well-being in Ghana, and we stand ready to translate them into actionable initiatives. As the Ministry of Health, we pledge to harness the resources and expertise of our ministry to support this noble cause fully,’ he added.

Dr Frank Lule, the Officer-In-Charge, WHO Ghana, in a speech read on his behalf, said
through collaborative initiatives with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, such as conducting training needs assessments to building capacities of service providers, WHO had played a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of quality adolescent and youth-friendly health services.

‘Notably, our partnership with the Ghana Health Service has led to the piloting and scaling of a digital web1 based platform for monitoring the quality of adolescent and youth-friendly health services in 43 senior high schools.

‘This innovative platform has empowered over 30,000 students to provide feedback on their experiences with service provision, thereby shaping the future of adolescent health care delivery in Ghana,’ he said.

Dr Lule admonished them to remember that their ultimate goal was to translate the discussions at the forum into tangible actions, as they deliberated on the priorities and aspirations of young people.

‘By the end of this conference, it is imperative that we establish robust accountabilit
y mechanisms to track the implementation of our commitments. Only through concerted efforts and unwavering dedication can we realize the vision of sustainable development goals related to adolescent health and universal health care,’ he added.

The forum was also attended by representatives of the Ministries of Health, Gender, Children and Social Protection and Education, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the National Youth Authority.

Students participated from the Labone Senior High School, Accra Girls Senior High, Tema School of the Death and Corpus Christi Senior High Schools, Tema all in the Greater Accra Region.

From the Central Region, students from the Mfanteman Girls Senior High School, St. Augustine’s Senior High School, Cape Coast School of the Death, Assin Manso Senior High School, Methodist High School, Assin North Senior High School and Wesley Girls Senior High school took part in the forum.

The rest were the Aburi Girls Senior High School, Krobo Girls S
enior High School, Ofori Panyin Senior High School and Methodist Girls Senior High School, Mamfe in the Eastern Region.

Established in Ghana in 1992, Plan International has been at the forefront of championing children’s rights and equality for girls for over three decades and worldwide, the nongovernmental organisation operates in over 80 countries, working tirelessly to promote sustainable development and ensuring that every child, regardless of gender or background, can reach their full potentials.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A three-day retreat of the Ho East Presbytery Catechists Union of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), has opened at Awudome Tsito in the Ho West district of the Volta Region.

Reverend Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP) George Akuamoah-Boateng, in charge of the Ho East Presbytery, EPCG, who opened the retreat on Saturday noted that the Catechists were indispensable assets in the growth of the church.

‘The role of the Catechist is very crucial in the growth of the church,’ he said.

The retreat is on the theme: ‘Care for God’s Creation, the Mission of the Church.’

Rev Akuamoah-Boateng therefore urged them to be proactive in the implementation of the church’s policies.

‘It is policies that run the church,’ he said.

He also asked them to improve the cordial relationships between them and other ministers of the church.

Rev. CSP Akuamoah Boateng said the Church was doing everything possible to improve the welfare of its agents.

‘Without unity the church will suffer,’ he said.

Rev. CSP Akua
moah Boateng entreated members of the Church to work to protect the environment from degradation as a way of caring for God’s creation.

Catechist Lord Hodinya, President of the Union, reminded his colleagues that though their work was not financially rewarding they should work diligently for the propagation of the gospel.

He said the leadership of the Union was working on a welfare package for members.

Togbe Gobo Dake XII, Chief of Awudome Tsito, commended the church for collaborating with traditional authorities in the development agenda of their communities.

He particularly thanked the congregation in Awudome Tsito for their role in the development of the community.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has cleared 14 out of the 182 containers of medical shipments from the Global Fund stucked at the ports to mitigate HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis for the Health Ministry.

The 14 containers of health commodities, comprising 10 containers of malaria rapid diagnostic tests, one container of malaria injection and three containers of malaria medicine were delivered to the Ministry of Health for onwards transmission to the warehouse.

The supplies, including antiretroviral medications for HIV patients, were held at the Tema port due to non-payment of third-party fees, leading to agitation from the public.

Speaking at a short handover ceremony, the Director of the Revenue Policy Division at the Ministry of Finance, George Winful, said government had earlier paid GHS40 million for the medications, but third-party levy led to delay in the release of the containers.

Also, some stakeholders in the health sector were not aware of the new exemption arrangement, which contributed t
o the delay in clearing the goods.

Mr Winful said to address future delays, an intergovernmental committee was formed by the government after the lessons from the current delays.

The committee include the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and the Ministry of Health.

To guarantee prompt resolutions, he said, the committee will collaborate to handle such issues as they come up.

It is anticipated that the rest of the medications will be delivered to the Ghana Health Service’s warehouses by April 19 at the latest.

The Deputy Commissioner of the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Emmanuel Ohene, said the first batch of medical supplies would help in healthcare delivery.

‘I am pleased to report that the first batch of the consignment has been cleared and it is being released to the Ministry of Health for distribution to various health centres across the country.

‘These drugs are vital for the survival of our fellow citizens and I am glad tha
t they are now in the hands of those who will put it to very good use,’ he stated.

He also encouraged stakeholders and ministries to work with the GRA to take advantage of the new exemption law to clear eligible goods since it would help in avoiding charges and penalties at the port.

He clarified that even though the pharmaceuticals qualified for exemption, their lockup at the port was caused by unpaid obligations, such as third-party clearance fees.

Mr. Ohene reaffirmed that the authority would always prioritise the needs of its clients and encouraged anyone in need of assistance to seek out information on specific tax methods.

‘I would want to express our sincere gratitude to the Minister of Finance and all the officials who have contributed to that resolution of this serious national problem,’ Alhaji Hafis Adams, Chief Director Ministry of Health, said, adding that about about GHS17 million would be needed to clear the containers.

Currently, some 185 containers at the Tema Port and Kotoka Internationa
l Airport (KIA) are still waiting to be cleared.

Alhaji Adams said the clearing process was likely to be completed with delivery to the warehouse expected shortly, not later than April 19, 2024.

He denied reports that the Global Fund had suspended delivery of vaccines and medicines to Ghana.

‘Global Fund has not suspended its support to the good people of Ghana and Global Fund has no intention of suspending support to the people of Ghana,’Alhaji Adams added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

As the world continues to face issues of carbon emissions, exacerbating the impact of climate change, a cyclist has ridden 815 kilomentres from Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital to Accra, Ghana’s national capital, as part of efforts to advocate for the adoption of green transport systems.

Mr James Kumbeni, the 28-year-old Information Technology person, who began his journey on Tuesday, April 9 and reached his final destination in Accra on Friday, April 12, 2024, wants to encourage the world to adopt bicycles as climate-smart and green alternative means of transport, to reduce air pollution on the environment emanating from fuel powered vehicles.

The initiative was also part of a campaign to advocate for the rights and safety of cyclists on the road and influence policy direction to create specific lanes for cyclists during road construction.

After completing his journey, Mr Kumbeni told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that carbon emissions from vehicles continued to pollute the air making i
t unclean for human health as well as increased the challenges of climate change.

He said the threat of climate change on all sectors of economies worldwide particularly Ghana was more pronounced and the transport sector which played a critical role in the growth and development of the economy contributed significantly to its effect through air pollution.

He said it was about time people made a paradigm shift from carbon emission generated vehicles to greener transport systems such as bicycles for journeys especially intra-community and regional movements to reduce environmental pollution and promote cleaner air.

‘We all need clean air to breath and green transport is the way to go,’ he said, adding ‘if we encourage more people to ride bicycles, we are actually going to cut down the carbon emission on our environment and I wanted to demonstrate that it was possible by riding from Bolgatanga to Accra.

‘If we don’t transition to green alternatives, in no time, we will be in danger and so apart from using bi
cycles, there are other alternatives, and the government needs to begin to transition to green economy.

‘So, I plan to visit the Environmental Protection Agency and I am looking forward to meeting companies and organizations that are into green transportation so we can look at how to promote green transport.’

On the safety of cyclists, Mr Kumbeni who is a teacher by profession noted that the safety of cyclists on the road had not been prioritised, adding that apart from the need for drivers of vehicles to respect and share the road with bicycle riders, there was the need for dedicated lanes for cyclists during road construction.

‘Once a cyclist is on their lane, he or she knows that they are safe,’ he added.

Mr Kumbeni noted that apart from the health benefits associated with riding a bicycle, as riding was a form of physical exercise, it also helps to reduce the cost of buying fuel.

Apart from that, Mr Kumbeni, also embarked on the journey to support Mr Joel Atinga who is currently attempting to break a
Guinness World Record for the longest grilling of ‘khebab’ in Accra.

He expressed gratitude to all Ghanaians for their support throughout the journey.

Mr Kumbeni is a native of Baare, a farming community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region who teaches at Desert Pastures International School in Bolgatanga.

He is a member of the Keekee Cycling Konnect in Bolgatanga, Ghana Cyclists Association and currently a Master of Philosophy candidate in Computer Science at the C.K Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Muslims at Kasoa Millennium City and its surrounding areas joined other Muslims worldwide to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, with a call on them to eschew hate, and live in peace with their neighbours.

Sariki Father Salisu Inusah, who is the Chief of Staff of Sariki Tahiru Zagi, Gomoa Akyempim Zongo Chief, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said as Muslims marked the end of the 30-day Ramadan, it was expected that everyone would continue to live in peace and harmony with their compatriots.

He said the tenets of Islam was against hatred among Muslims and people of other beliefs, but there should be love for all.

He expressed gratitude to Allah for the guidance and protection throughout the month to the final prayers.

Chief Imam of Gomoa Akyempim Tajudeen Gyaragari pointed that fasting, coupled with prayers, was also very important.

‘Ramadan is very important than the day of prayers and every Muslim if only you are fit per the prescription of Islam must participate.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) says the lack of access routes affected effective fighting of the James Town and Madina Market fires.

It said extreme congestion at the two places made it difficult for the GNFS to put out the fires.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after yesterday’s fire incident at the Madina Market that razed hundreds of stores, shops and containers, Assistant Divisional Officer I (ADO1) Alex King Nartey, said firemen faced difficulty in putting out the fires because they could not move the tenders.

He said apart from the unavailability of access routes, the Market, which was not properly mapped out, also did not have any available fire hydrant.

‘The lack of access routes and poor mapping of the market made the fire spread faster,’ he said.

ADO1 Nartey said despite the extent of damage caused by the nearly nine hours fire, the GNFS managed to prevent it from spreading, thus salvaging about 1000 stores, shops and adjoining properties.

He said the cause of the fire, which
started at about 21:00 hours on Wednesday, was not readily known, and added that about 200 stores, shops, and containers were affected.

Mr Abdul-Jalil Yakubu, the Assembly Member for the area, who was there to assess the situation bemoaned the extent of the damage.

He said he would liaise with the appropriate authorities and stakeholders to map out modalities going forward.

The April 10 inferno at the market ravaged goods and properties until it was brought under control at about 5:30am Thursday morning.

Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service, despite the initial challenges faced in breaking into the shops, were able to douse the fire.

In a related development, fire gutted over 500 wood­en structures at a slum at Jamestown in Accra on Tuesday leaving hundreds of people homeless.

Items destroyed included per­sonal effects, fridges and fish.

Like the Madina Market fire, there were no access routes for fire tenders to fight it.

‘Accessibility to the site of fire was difficult as structures had be
en built too close to each other,’ ADO1 Nartey said.

‘Most of the fire outbreaks would be avoidable if best practices on fire safety are adhered to,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) has trained visually impaired persons on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to complement the Digital Inclusion Project in the Techiman Municipality of the Bono East Region.

More than 450 people in 13 regions across the country, including 20 visually impaired, have benefited from the GIFEC project, which aimed to involve everyone in the digitization drive.

Mr Prince Ofosu Sefa, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GIFEC, said this at the climax of the Computer Basics training for the visually impaired through the Digital Transformation Centres at Techiman in the Bono East Region.

Among the 20 beneficiaries were teachers, students, and artisans who found it difficult in applying the ICT skills due to their physical conditions.

The participants were trained to use features for the visually impaired on the computer to send and receive emails, type, and use mobile phones to make and receive calls among other things.

Mr Sefa noted th
at ICT played a significant role in the development of society by facilitating communications, education, access to information, improved healthcare, social connectivity and community building, hence acquiring fundamental digital knowledge was a necessity.

Since the inception of GIFEC in 2014, about 1,010 sites have been built with 625 activated, he said, and that the remaining 1,006 sites would be completed this year to bring the total number of rural sites to 2,600.

Mr Kwasi Adu-Gyan, Bono East Regional Minister, said the government valued the use of ICT for community building and thus working to extend such services to the various communities to benefit all citizens.

Ms Diana Adjorlolo, tutor at the Akumfi Ameyaw Senior High School, and Mr Jeremiah Issahaku, teacher at the Techiman Senior High School, both vissualy impaired, commended GIFEC for the knowledge imparted and promised to apply it to their own benefits and that of others in their association.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Career Services Centre of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in collaboration with the German Embassy organised a seminar dubbed ”Time with the CEOs” for some selected students’ groups.

A statement issued by KNUST, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said Mrs Selina Angmor, the Director of the Centre, stated that the purpose of the seminar was to provide KNUST students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the construction industry.

She said the Centre’s mandate was to bridge the skills gap between academia and industry and serve as a hub of career advancement opportunities for students and alumni.

She underscored the pivotal role of the Centre in nurturing professional competencies and shaping career trajectories.

She urged the students to take all the opportunities during the conversation to learn.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo, in his remarks, emphasised KNUST’s mandate to train and prepare students to become fit for the industry.

He
encouraged students to learn from the programme on how to transition to become graduate-ready for the world of work.

Initiating the conversation, Mr Daniel Krull, the German Ambassador to Ghana, expressed his excitement about the healthy working relationship that existed between KNUST and the Embassy.

During the discussion, Mr Noble Bediako, the Managing Director of MC-Bauchemie, who was the guest for the seminar, shared his expertise in the construction industry and the opportunities available at MC-Bauchemie for KNUST students.

He reiterated the importance of the right mindset and attitude towards work in the growth of every business and advised graduates to be efficient, meticulous, and have a wider level of emotional intelligence.

The seminar provided a Question-and-Answer session followed by a cocktail session that allowed participants to engage with the guests, network and share their concerns about the world of work.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The burden of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Ghana is increasing due to high consumption of antibiotics with less appropriate prescription.

Professor Eric Sampane-Donkor, a Professor of Bacteriology and Global Health, University of Ghana Medical School, said although AMR was a natural phenomenon caused in bacteria, it had been hastened by self-medication and wrong usage among the public

‘As doctors prescribed antibiotics anyhow and people take them in large amounts, the burden keeps increasing,’ he said.

Prof. Sampane- Donkor said this in Accra when he delivered a lecture on ‘Prioritising Antimicrobial Resistance Needs in Ghana, a National Choice between life and Death’.

He said findings from research on ARM conducted in some tertiary schools in Ghana showed that long waiting hours in the hospitals also contributed to the high levels of AMR.

He said the high use of antibiotics in animal husbandry had also triggered AMR in Ghana.

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over tim
e and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

The World Health Organisation estimates that AMR contributed to 4.95 million deaths.

It said ‘misuse and overuse’ of antimicrobials in humans, animals and plants were the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens.

Prof Sampane-Donkor said AMR was an ongoing silent pandemic, the third cause of global deaths in 2019 and one of the top 10 global health threats, with the highest burden in West Africa.

In Ghana, a National Action Plan for Antimicrobial Use and Resistance 2017-2021 was launched in 2018 to be a guide, which would help the country realise her aspirations at combating the AMR phenomenon.

The various components of the NAP, in line with global objectives, include steps to improve awareness and understanding of AMR, strengthen knowledge and evidence base for AMR policy and related actions, and reducing the incidence of infection.

It further ai
ms to optimise the use of antimicrobials as well as develop the economic case for sustainable investments in antimicrobials with specific components of the health system.

Prof Sampane- Donkor called for the strengthening of the national action plan to help implement the targets and monitor the use of antibiotics among the public using the one health approach.

He said Ghana needed to raise awareness on antimicrobial resistance and improve the health and welfare of food- producing animals to decrease the spread of infections in farm animals.

Source: Ghana News Agency