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Meningitis cases found in the Upper West Region.
Ghana has recorded meningitis outbreak in the northern part of Ghana specifically the upper west region has so far recorded some 30 cases resulting in 14 death as reported on the “GBC NEW hour on Tuesday January 28th 2025".
The Ghana Health services and the Ministry of Health through its dedicated front line health workers are on the ground helping with the right communication for communities to report symptoms of meningitis.
Available Report indicates that the meningitis outbreak is spreading across six district with the highest incidence in the nadowli kaleo district and Nandom municipality.
The strain is cerebrospinal meningitis a severe illness common in the meningitis belt, predominantly meningitis has it root outbreak usually from some parts of the northern region and the northern territories of Ghana this mainly due to the level of heat waves owing to the climate variability.
As Concern Health Education Project(CHEP) advocate of meningitis prevention in Ghana, we are keeping in touch with our team of volunteer and issuing communications and information’s of public health education which direct affected communities and households to seek early medical checkups when symptoms of meningitis is suspected or emerged.
Symptoms such as headache, fever, neck stiffness, and neck pains are common in detecting meningitis.
Bacterial meningitis has remain the causative cause of outbreak in Ghana, these are the streptococcus, Neisseria and meningococcalConcern Health Education Project are a member of and its partners such as the Confederation of Mmeningitis Oorganizations (CoMO), a worldwide network of people and groups who are driven by a shared purpose to defeat meningitis, and Meningitis Research Foundation (CoMO-MRF ) Concern Health Education Project will urge the diseases surveillance Unit of the Ghana health service , WHO, and Ministry of Health to remain resolute in the preparedness effort in and in their ongoing campaigns to sustain community education , prevention and treatment care and support effort of the outbreak.
Whilst doing so it is incumbent on the new appointed representatives of the new government to the health ministry’s to priorities the outbreak whilst supervising the speedy deployment of health workers so as to curtail the outbreak of meningitis in the northern part of Ghana , it is time and again necessary for all CSOs and NGOs in the northern territories to integrate meningitis prevention programs , symptoms identification programs and periodic health check -ups among the communities of the affected districts so as to ensure the outbreak is minimized and symptoms are detected early enough.
Available logistic and resources required including financial, we as CHEP urge all stakeholders in the health sector to join effort with government to advocate for the needed logistics are released and available to the health sector and its supporting agencies to help in the meningitis preventions.
We must ensure the outbreak is curtail to avoid spreading to other communities. Vaccines saves lives the time to taking stock of vaccines supply chain is Now , indeed vaccine work.
It is also encouraged that other systems of Health continues to increase their surveillance readiness.
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THE FIGHT AGAINST GALAMSEY: SHORT-MEDIUM TERM MEASURES NEEDED TO
PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITIES.
The Ghana Affiliate of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) is deeply concerned by the continued degradation of our environment due to illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Despite various promises and interventions by the government, galamseyremains
rampant, destroying our forests, polluting our water bodies, and jeopardizing the
livelihoods of thousands of Ghanaians.
The environmental damage caused by this illegal
activity threatens not only our ecosystems but also our national security and economic
development.
It is troubling that despite the alarming rate of deforestation, soil degradation, and
mercury contamination of rivers, the government’s actions have been inadequate in
addressing these issues.
We condemn this inadequacy and call on President Nana Addo
Dankwa Akufo-Addo and all well-meaning Ghanaians to take immediate and decisive action to protect the country from irreversible environmental damage.
Despite the President ordering the deployment of police and military forces to crack down on illegal small-scale mining due to growing calls for action, we propose several immediate short to medium term measures.
These must be implemented without delay to effectively address this escalating issue and prevent further environmental degradation.
At the same time, these measures will help lay the groundwork for long-term
solutions that promote sustainable mining practices:
1.Institutional Strengthening and Community Engagement
Tackling the galamsey problem requires the active engagement of societal institutions,
including religious and community leaders.
Churches and mosques must play a leading
role in educating their congregations on the dangers of illegal mining and advocating against participation in it.
Faith-based organizations have significant influence and can mobilize communities to resist galamsey activities.
Nationwide educational campaigns led by religious leaders can raise awareness about the moral and environmental dangers of illegal mining, utilizing sermons, public forums, and educational materials.
Furthermore, Traditional Authorities must be actively involved in the mining licensing process.
Their influence at the community level is vital to ensuring that local populations benefit from legitimate mining activities while minimizing
environmental harm.
Chiefs and community leaders should be empowered to participate in licensing decisions and support the enforcement of anti-galamsey measures.
2.Nationwide Moratorium on Small-Scale Mining
A nationwide moratorium on small-scale mining is crucial and must be strictly enforced to cover both legal and illegal mining activities across the country.
This temporary
suspension will provide the necessary time for a comprehensive environmental
assessment and the initiation of restoration efforts in affected areas. During this moratorium, all mining activities, particularly those in environmentally sensitive zones, must be halted.
The goal is to prevent further environmental degradation and assess the
current conditions of impacted regions.
Law enforcement agencies will be deployed to ensure compliance, with special focus on protecting riparian buffer zones, water bodies, and regions with significant biodiversity.
3.Designation and Enforcement of No-Go Areas for Mining
As part of this moratorium, the government must also designate and legally enforce No Go Areas for mining, particularly in riparian zones and ecologically sensitive regions,
including forest reserves.
These areas should be permanently protected from all forms of mining activity to safeguard Ghana’s critical ecosystems.
This policy should be swiftly
aligned with the Environmental Assessment Regulations, LI 1652 regulations to ensure
immediate enforcement. Violators should face strict penalties, including imprisonment and heavy fines, to deter illegal activities.
The government must also consider repealing
Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, LI 2462.
The overarching objective is to protect the country's vital water bodies and biodiversity from
further damage caused by unregulated mining.
4.Confiscation of Galamsey Sites and Lands
To serve as a major deterrent to illegal mining, the government must adopt a policy of seizing and confiscating all proven galamsey sites.
Once seized, these lands should be transferred to the state and managed by the respective Metropolitan, Municipal and
District Assemblies(MMDAs), with legal titles assigned for state control.
Confiscated lands should then be rehabilitated and converted into reforestation projects, aiming to restore damaged ecosystems and prevent further environmental harm. MMDAs will be
held accountable for managing these lands and overseeing reforestation efforts, reporting progress directly to the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and
Rural Development, which will then update Parliament.
To facilitate this process, Parliament should enact urgent legislation enabling the confiscation of galamsey lands and transferring them to MMDAs for restoration and reforestation purposes.
Additionally, the law should mandate that MMDAs develop and maintain reforestation projects on these lands.
Parliamentary oversight will be crucial in ensuring that these lands are properly managed and that rehabilitation projects are effectively implemented.
5.Regulation of Galamsey Equipment In addition to the confiscation of lands used for illegal mining activities, it is imperative to control the flow of mining equipment that facilitates these operations.
The manufacture, sale, and importation of specific small-scale mining equipment, such as Changfang machines and other devices used predominantly in illegal mining, should be strictly
prohibited.
The government must implement stringent regulations on equipment entering mining
regions.
This includes not only the banning of specific machinery but also the
establishment of a robust monitoring system to track the movement of heavy machinery
into mining areas.
Dealers and suppliers of mining equipment should be licensed and held accountable for the distribution of these tools, ensuring that they are only sold to legally authorized miners.
Severe penalties should be imposed on those involved in the illegal production or
distribution of such equipment.
Government agencies must collaborate, using technology like drone surveillance and tracking systems, to ensure compliance and
prevent galamsey operations from expanding.
6.Galamsey Condemnation Declarations
All political parties in Ghana must issue a clear, written declaration condemning
galamseyand outlining its dangers.
These declarations should be disseminated to party
leaders and members and read aloud at the start and end of every political rally or
campaign event.
Media houses should be required to publish these declarations from
each party at least twice a week to raise public awareness. Additionally, the National Media Commission must take responsibility for monitoring the adherence of political parties and media outlets in publishing these galamsey condemnation declarations to ensure consistent messaging and commitment to combat this illegal activity.
The galamsey crisis is not just an environmental disaster; it is a moral, economic, and political challenge that strikes at the heart of our communities, governance, and national
prosperity.
It undermines livelihoods, depletes national resources, perpetuates
inequality, and fosters corruption.
Addressing this crisis requires more than just environmental restoration; it demands ethical leadership, inclusive economic policies,
and strong political will to enforce laws and dismantle corrupt networks.
Implementing the short-term measures outlined is a critical first step in laying the
groundwork for more sustainable, long-term solutions.
However, these efforts will only succeed with unwavering political will, the active involvement of local communities,and
the support of religious and traditional leaders.
Immediate and decisive action is necessary to protect our environment, secure the livelihoods of future generations, and
ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all Ghanaians.
The fight against galamsey
is a fight for the soul of our nation, and we must act now to win it.
IAIAGhana is committed to assisting the government and other stakeholders in the elaboration of effective environmental legislation.
Time is of the essence to rectify this before all our land and water systems, and the hope for the future, is destroyed.
Ebenezer Appah-Sampong
President
Website:iaia-ghana.org
Email:secretary@iaiaghana.org
Tel:+233 592761289
#CNTV
#IAIA
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PRESS RELEASE
BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION GHANA (GASP) ON THE OCCASION OF
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY(SEPTEMBER 10, 2024)
The global response to the sient epidemic of suicide has centred mostly on the critical area of awareness
creation.
Suicide, a significant goba public health problem that accounts for over 700,000 deaths annualy,
continues to be shrouded in myths, silence, and stigma –a situation that miitates against understanding
and prevention.
It is for such a reason that September 10thevery was instituted in 2003 as the World Suicide
Prevention Day (WSPD) by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for
Suicide Prevention (IASP).
The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention Day for 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”.
The theme is a call to action to "Start the Conversation".
The goal is to raise
critical awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent
suicides.
The stigma of suicide is often bred by a lack of understanding of why people take their lives.
Stigma discourages open conversations on suicide at al levels.
Thus, people who require help and can get
the help if they were to open up to others will rather choose to remain trapped in their worriesand distress,
a situation that contributes to an unbearable psychological pain and creates the path towards suicidal behaviours.
Research shows that stigma of suicide is institutionalized at three leves: society, reigion and law.
At the societa level, suicide is viewed as an extraordinary moral evil and thus a taboo conduct.
Hence, persons
who engage in suicidal behaviours are seen as anti-social elements.
At the legal level, suicide attempt is criminalized in some societies,making people see suicide attempt survivors as criminals.
At the reigious
leve, the act of suicide is viewed as a sin,and the actor,a sinner.
These conceptions of the act and the actor at the societal, religious and the legal levels generate a pervasive stigma towards the act and the
actor.
It is gratifying to note that research evidence is pointing to the direction where open conversations lead to understanding of the phenomenon and a change of negatives attitudes towards persons in suicidal crises.
Open conversations seek to repace suicide myths with facts, fear with courage, silence with expression,
condemnation with empathy, and inaction with hope-infused action.
Changing the narrative on suicide is about transforming how we perceive this complex issue and shifting from a culture of silence and stigma
to one of openness, understanding, empathy, and support.
This call to action encourages everyone to start
the conversation on suicide and suicide prevention.
Every conversation, no matter how briefor small,
contributes to a supportive and understanding society.
When we begin to start such vital conversations,
we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of support.
In Ghana, open conversations about suicide have recently led to the breaking down of a major barrier to suicide prevention, which is the repeal of the law criminalizing attempted suicide.
While GASP commends this bold action and sees it as a major boost, it encourages major stakeholders, particularly the Government to lead efforts towards equipping the social wefare and mental health sectorsto be able to adequately
handle the potential ‘overflow’of cases that might be reported in the post-decriminalization era.
Changing the narrative and starting the conversations also mean equipping our media partners with requisite skils
that wil enable them to report and steer conversations on suicides appropriatelyand responsibly.
In ine with this call, GASP is currently working together with stakeholders in the media space towards the official launch of twolocalized media resources(the Ghana Guidelines for Appropriate Media Reporting of Suicide,
and the Ghana Suicide Reporting Scorecard) that wil guide appropriate and responsible suicide reporting.
Changing the narrative is thus a call to buid synergies and make systemic changes to prevent suicides.
It is also a carion cal for policies that prioritize mental health, increase access to care, and provide support
for those in need.
All of us are encouraged to open up and start a conversation to offer and receive help.
Help can be received in Ghana on the toll-free line 0800678678, or through an email to suicideprevention.ghana@gmail.com
Suicide can affect every one of us.
Suicide prevention is indeed everyone’s business.
Start the conversation today!
_ _ signed _ _
Dr Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie, PhD
[President –GASP]
+ 233 (0) 599713040
_ _ signed _ _
Dr Johnny Andoh-Arthur, PhD
[Secretary –GASP]
+ 233 (0) 599711807
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PRESS RELEASE
The Alliance for Restoration of Civil Rights, a subsidiary of Perfect Vision Initiative, is organizing a peaceful protest against police injustices on Wednesday, 11th September 2024. This protest is themed "OCCUPY AND CLEANSE THE CRIME SCENE". The demonstration will commence at Nima Roundabout at 10:00 am and proceed to the National Police Headquarters, concluding at 2:00 pm.
This protest aims to address the pressing issues of Ghana Police Service misconduct, lack of accountability, and the systemic abuse of power that continues to plague our communities. Our objective is to demand transparency, justice, and meaningful reforms within the Ghana Police Service to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals.
Press Conference Details:
In advance of the protest, a press conference will be held on Monday, 9th September 2024 at UDS Guest House, Accra. Starting at 1:00 PM. The representatives from the Alliance for Restoration of Civil Rights will outline the goals of the protest, discuss the critical issues at stake, and address questions from the media.
We urge all media outlets to attend both the press conference and the protest to help ensure that these important issues receive the attention they deserve.
For additional information or to confirm your attendance at the press conference, please contact William Kofi Yirenkyi at 0244-933-546 or yirenkyi.william@gmail.com.
About Alliance for Restoration of Civil Rights:
The Alliance for Restoration of Civil Rights is a pressure group dedicated to advocating for equality, justice, and civil rights. As a subsidiary of Perfect Vision Initiative, a social justice non- profit organization, we are committed to empowering communities and holding institutions accountable to safeguard the rights of every individual
Signed : William Kofi Yirenkyi
Convenor/Organizer
#CNTV
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SISTEMA.BIO EXPANDS IT'S OPERATIONS INTO WEST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA TO become AFRICA ’S LARGEST BIODIGESTER COMPANY*L
Sistema.bio, has extended her biodigester technology solutions into West and Southern Africa to become Africa’s largest biodigester company. Founded in 2010, the company employs and contracts over 2500 people. Sistema.bio has operations in 31 countries with its African footprint initially in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, as well as with the expansion now in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Sistema.bio has installed more than 12,000 biodigesters, providing clean and reliable energy access to over 100,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Engie Access, Africa’s leading off-grid energy services company has partnered with Sistema.bio to introduce biogas digesters in Zambia and Mozambique.
The partnership which also includes the support of Modern Clean Cooking Facility for Africa (MCFA), aims to reach over 10,000 smallholder farmers in the two countries to give them access to clean cooking biogas
solutions, enhancing energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
In Zimbabwe, Sistema.bio’s expansion has been enabled through implementation partners Lanforce Energy, aiming to install over 2500 biodigesters in the country within four years. This initiative is also done in collaboration with the Modern Clean Cooking Facility for Africa (MCFA) and underscores Sistema.bio’s commitment to addressing energy challenges, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting access to affordable, clean, and modern cooking solutions in Africa.
In West Africa, Sistema.bio Africa has partnered with Farmerline in Ghana and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation in Nigeria. The first biodigesters in Nigeria were successfully installed in July 2024, marking the beginning of a transformative journey towards sustainable agriculture and renewable energy adoption in the West Africa region.
Madrin Maina, Sistema.bio Director Africa declared: “Today we have the technology, experience, and business models to dramatically accelerate clean and reliable energy access across Africa.
Sistema.bio’s biodigester technology represents a climate-smart energy solution for smallholder farmers that is rapidly scalable, can be tailored to local conditions, and has the potential to empower millions of people in communities across Africa.
Through our recent collaborations and partnerships with Africa’s leading green energy organisations we are now positioned as the leading biodigester company within the African continent.”
The benefits generated by the use of biodigester technology contribute to 9 out of the 17 SDGs. SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG3 (Good Health and well-being), SDG5 (Gender Equality), SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG8 (Decent work and Economic Growth), SDG13 (Climate Action) and SDG15 (Life On-Land).
*About Sistema.bio*
Sistema.bio Africa is a social enterprise that works through three axes: technology, capacity building, and financing to address poverty, food security, and climate change. It manufactures and distributes very high-quality, affordable, and modular hybrid reactor biodigesters that enable farmers around the world to be energy-efficient and fertiliser-independent.
By providing flexible repayment plans and comprehensive monitoring services, farmers can acquire and operate biodigesters to collect and treat farm waste, resulting in clean biogas and rich biofertilisers.
With regional headquarters in Nairobi Kenya, today we have a team of 200+ people who work with 12000+ smallholder farmers across Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe, and are now expanding operations to Zambia, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Ghana.
*About Engie Access Africa*
ENGIE Energy Access is the leading mini-grid and off-grid PAY Go solar energy company in Africa that has empowered over 12 million Africans via smart integration of mini-grids.
*Modern Clean Cooking Facility for Africa (MCFA)*
The aim of the Modern Cooking Facility for Africa (MCFA) is to provide up to 4 million Africans with access to clean cooking solutions, initially in six Sub-Saharan African countries, improving health and climate by reducing indoor air pollution, avoiding CO2 emissions, and mitigating deforestation.
MCFA does this by financially incentivizing companies offering clean cooking solutions, so-called Cooking Service Providers, to engage in the business of offering affordable, high-quality, and energy-efficient clean cooking services thereby accelerating the creation of a long-term sustainable market.
The programme supports the use of cleaner and sustainable cooking fuels, such as sustainably produced bioethanol, bio-LPG, LPG (in selected countries), biogas, electric cooking solutions and solid biofuels from sustainable sources, e.g. pellets and briquettes.
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