Japan Assists Adensi North District®
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

THE JAPANESE government has provided a 10-unit water closet toilet facility worth $105,932 for three towns in the Adansi North district.
The project targeted at covering Fomena, Dompoase and Fumso is expected to benefit 16,000 inhabitants.
It will also improve the sanitary and general health conditions of the beneficiaries.
“The growth in population in the district has increased pressure on sanitation facilities,” said Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Naoto Nikai at the grant signing ceremony.
“It is difficult for the limited facilities to serve the over 92,000 people in the district,” he added.
The project scheduled to be completed in a year is being financed through the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGHSP).
However, the district assembly will bare the cost of preliminary works and contingencies in the construction.
“This is very commendable on the part of the district assembly, ensuring that the provision of such amenities become the right of its inhabitants,” said Nikai.
District Chief Executive of Adensi North, Abdul Lateef Majdoub expressed gratitude to the Embassy of Japan for supporting them in addressing the issue.
“It is a demonstration of the continuous commitment of Japan to alleviate the suffering of people even in the face of the recent calamity that hit the country,” Majdoub said.
He therefore assured the Japanese government of the district’s commitment in providing the counterpart funding agreed upon.

Naoto Nikai and Abdul Lateef Majdoub signing the grant document at the ceremony.

“Deliver Quality Claims”
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

Insurance companies have been urged to improve their relationship with their customers by paying claims quickly.
Rev. Asante Marfo-Ahenkora, president of the Ghana Insurance Brokers Association (GIBA), made these observations during the first memorial lecture held in Accra to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Kwesi Essel-Koomson, founding Managing Director of KEK Insurance Group.
The lecture was themed: “Insurance claims - the role of the broker, the insurer and the reinsurer”.

Speaking on the brokers’ perspective, Rev. Marfo-Ahenkora said an insurance broker deals with many insurers so they have access to different types of insurance policies.
He explained: “They act on behalf of their clients and define what risk to insure, what type of cover is best and how much it should cost. In many cases, the insurance broker is most valuable in the event of a claim.”
He therefore admonished those insured to engage the services of insurance broker, stressing that brokers have a duty to work in the best interest of their clients and provide sound practical account independent of any insurance company.
Samuel Kwaku Ocran, Deputy Managing Director of Star Assurance Company, also speaking on the insurer’s role, noted that the claims unit of insurance companies deals quickly and fairly with all claims submitted while distinguishing between valid and invalid claims.
“When this is done, the insurer then assesses the loss or damage, adjusts and negotiates the claim amount, processes the claim for payment as well as indemnifies the insured in the form of repair, replacement, reinstatement or payment of cash”, he said.
Mr. Ocran however noted that an insurance company may refuse to pay claims due to false statement and failure to disclose relevant facts when applying for the insurance; claims which does not fall within the items insured in the policy; and failure to comply with the terms of agreement.
He asked persons insured to look beyond the white and black prints on the contract terms when applying for insurance.

Ken Aghoghovbia, Chief Executive Officer of Africa Reinsurance Corporation, in a speech read on his behalf, said the primary objective of the reinsurer is to settle claims promptly barring anything that might prevent them from doing so.
“It is evident that the primary role of reinsurance is essentially to give the necessary support to insurers to enable them meet their primary obligation, settle claims of policy holders and guide against the risk of collapse that may arise from the inability to settle genuine claims when due.”

Muslims Call for Homosexual Prohibition®
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri & Michael Ciaglo

THE MUSLIM community in Ghana has called on government to introduce a “Prohibition of Homosexuality and Lesbianism Bill” that would criminalize homosexual acts.
The details of this bill, which would imprison homosexuals without the option of a fine, were presented at a Coalition of Muslim Organizations, Ghana (COMOG) news conference on Thursday morning.
COMOG bemoaned homosexuality and called for a collective effort from government and religious groups to battle it.
“The community hereby urges all of us – Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, government and opposition – to unite as one concerned people to fight the common twin – homosexuality and lesbianism – as well as their byproduct – same sex marriage,” said Alhaji Mohammed Easah, National President of COMOG.

Alhaji Mohammed Easah, (center) national president of COMOG, speaks out against homosexuality

Earlier this week, the Christian Council of Ghana held a similar press conference denouncing homosexuality and calling on all religious organizations and “decent-loving Ghanaians” to join the campaign against the practice.
Alhaji Easah also noted that “all religious organizations have condemned homosexuality in strong terms. We, the Muslim community, condemn the practice as disgusting, repugnant, unacceptable and alien to our culture and national norms, and also alien to our natural behavior as a people.”
The current Ghanaian Criminal Code, section 104(1) (b), outlaws “unnatural carnal knowledge,” a phrase interpreted to mean homosexual intercourse. COMOG is calling for government to go one step further and implement stricter regulations against all homosexual activities.
Alhaji Esaha said the proposed bill, if passed into law by parliament, would attract severe penalties including long prison terms with no option of a fine and disqualification from appointment or promotion to any public office or position.
Alhaji Easah urged traditional rulers and opinion leaders to join the fight and assist police in identifying and prosecuting gays and lesbians, adding “Any person who fails to report a homosexual or lesbian that approaches him or her to engage in such acts also commits the offense.”
In an attempt to garner widespread acceptance of the bill, Alhaji Easah advocated for all political parties to agree on a stance against homosexuality.
“Let this fight be not an NDC/NPP affair, but an all-hands-on-deck affair,” Alhaji Easah said. “Let government, the opposition and the people unite to prosecute this fight to success – in the ultimate interest of Ghanaians.”

Antenatal Clinic for Sickle Cell Patients @ Korle Bu
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri
KORLE-BU Teaching Hospital is set to start a special antenatal clinic for pregnant women with Sickle Cell disorders.
The clinic will be opened on Wednesdays to treat patients at the Obstetrics OPD starting from today, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.
A statement signed by Mustapha Salifu, Public Relations Officer of the hospital noted the sickle cell Clinic for pregnant women was one of the specialized clinics that the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology used to run in the 80s but was suspended.
He therefore observed that all pregnant women with sickle cell disorders who wish to be seen for expert management should first get the necessary referral before coming to the clinic.
“We hope patients and their relatives will co-operate and support the hospital to make this special clinic attain the purpose of its re-introduction,” the statement said.

Kente Weavers Urged to Patent Their Designs
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri & Dominic Kojo Blay

Kente weavers have been advised to register their designs to avoid duplication by other players in the industry.
The authority in charge of culture has therefore been tasked to get a national copyright for the numerous kente designs.
Dr. Hannah Bissiw, Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, said this at the inaugural celebration of the 1st National Kente week in Accra themed: “Celebrating our Kente heritage; a majestic new boost for sustaining the Ghanaian economy and maintaining the tradition in the 21st century.”
She observed that kente is the pride and heritage of Ghanaians, noting, “We must protect the uniqueness of our kente.”
Dr. Bissiw also noted that some factories both home and abroad are imitating the kente designs.
“It is Ghana’s pride to keep the quality and design of our kente,” she said.
The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Alexander Asum-Ahensah noted that the kente cloth is a symbol of unity in the country.
“All Ghanaians recognize and cherish the kente cloth, even in the Diaspora the kente cloth has become an African fraternity.”
He stressed the need for the industry to be sustained for future generations.
“I therefore appeal to the very experienced weavers to make time for the youth to acquire the needed technical skills,” he added.
The sector minister asked the general public to be part of the week-long celebration.
Nana Abena Konadu, a representative of Royal Protocol Services, organizers of the event, said the celebration was aimed at boosting and sustaining the Ghanaian kente industry.
She explained that the event is also to project the kente heritage, which is gradually collapsing due to low patronage.
Activities lined up the celebration include kente weaving competition, kente ‘what do you know’ contest, kente fashion show and the kente dinner dance, which will be held at the State Banquet Hall on August 6, 2011.
Kenteman Nii Laryea Sowah, Media Co-ordinator of the event, said the fund-raising dinner dance will create a seed fund to assist players in the kente weaving business that are facing financial challenges.
He said invited guests that will grace the occasion include ministers of state with Professor Akilakpa Sawyer being the guest speaker.
“Tobge Afede XIV, the Abgobgomefia of the Ho traditional area will co-chair the occasion with a representative of the Asantehene,” he said.
Tickets for the event are selling at GH¢100.00 for a person and GH¢150.00 for double at Koala, Joy FM and shoprite- Accra Mall, and 37 Maxi Mart.

Cases of Deafness Hit 2.2 million
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

REPORTED CASES of nerve deafness, a common hearing problem have reached an alarming estimate of 2.2 million nationwide.
The medical problem which is caused by the inability of the nerve (a fine organ in the inner ear) to receive specific sound frequencies, affects the daily lives of patients as they are unable to communicate because they cannot hear properly.
Dr. E.D Kitcher, head of the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) said the major cause of the medical condition is exposure to loud noise at social gathering as well as the effects of herbal medication though that is not well tested.
Dr. Kitcher who was speaking during the presentation of medical equipment to the hospital’s ENT Unit by Tigo Ghana said when people are exposed to loud sounds, the nerve in the inner ear which has receptors for sound, generates sensitivity problems causing it to lose its ability to hear high frequencies.
The telecommunication’s company donated two kinds of hearing assessment equipment and a cash amount of $7,500 to the unit.
“The ear receptors are marked by frequencies just like the keyboard in the piano which has frequencies for high notes and frequencies for low notes. People who have nerve deafness cannot perceive high tone frequencies therefore they miss out when you use consonants.”
He further stated that people with nerve deafness experience difficulty in discriminating between sounds when a person is speaking via phone. “The person who has a problem with his ears can hear but cannot make any meaning of what is being said,” he added
During the presentation he expressed the need for private organisations to support the unit by providing more testing equipment and hearing aids for patients adding that the donation will go a long way in re-equipping the facility after a fire outbreak destroyed the testing equipments there three years ago.
Ama Daaku, Solutions Manager of Tigo Ghana said Tigo Ghana was touched by the destruction of the unit’s equipment due to the fire outbreak and consequently resolved to support it “as a way of recognizing not only its efforts but also its service to the Ghanaian community.”
She further noted that the presentation is in fulfillment of Tigo’s promise to the unit three years ago stressing, “We believe in the individual’s right to hear, understand and speak back.”

Caption: Ama Daaku presenting the equipment to Prof. Nii Otu Nartey, Chief Executive Officer of KBTH as Dr. E.D Kitcher (right) looks on.

Emergency Committee Reborn
By Michael Ciaglo & Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

Health Minister Joseph Yieleh Chireh on Tuesday inaugurated members of the Emergency Services Committee to improve handling of medical emergencies in the country.

Currently the health care system focuses on the prevention of illness as its primary health objective, rather than time-sensitive injuries and sicknesses.

“The provision of timely treatment during life-threatening emergencies is not a priority for many health systems in developing countries, and, I think, ours is not an exception,” Mr. Chireh stated.

The minister also observed that the response to medical emergencies by medical professionals is one of the least addressed issues by the health sector.

“It is in this light that, I, the minister of health, have requested for the reconstitution of this committee to oversee emergency services in Ghana,” Mr. Chireh said.

The sector minister also stated that recognizing improved organizations and planning for provision of trauma and emergency care is an essential part of integrated health care delivery.

This, he said, plays an important role in the preparation for, and response to, mass-casualty incidents which can lower mortality, reduce disability and prevent other adverse health outcomes arising from the burden of everyday injuries.

Therefore, acting on the requests of the director-general of the World Health Organization to strengthen emergency and rehabilitation services and to improve systems for treating trauma victims, Mr. Chireh tasked the 28 member Emergency Services Committee with advancing these services.

“The purpose of the Committee is to develop and/or strengthen Emergency Medical Care Systems in Ghana with the ultimate aim of improving the health of the population and meeting expectations for access to emergency care,” Mr. Chireh said.

The Emergency Services Committee is comprised of three sub-committees: Care in the Community/First Responders, Pre-Hospital Emergency Services and Emergency Services in Heath Institutions.

“The reason of the minister in creating these three sub-committees is to assure that as a country we look at emergency care holistically right from the community, to the health institutions,” said Committee Chairman Dr. Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah. “And once we are resourced enough and supported to weight, we can guarantee adequate emergency care in the country.”

Dr. Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah addresses the newly inaugurated emergency services committee.