Ghana is grappling with a troubling drop in maternal and child health outcomes, even as the number of trained health workers continues to rise. This was the stark message delivered by Dr. Kennedy Brightson, Director for Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, during the 5th Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition Conference in Accra. Dr. Brightson revealed that between 2022 and 2024, major health indicators—including skilled delivery coverage, adolescent antenatal attendance, and child immunisation- have all witnessed steady declines. Most alarming, he said, is the increase in maternal deaths: 806 in 2022, 861 in 2023, and 819 in 2024. “Eight hundred maternal deaths a year is not something we should ever accept,” Dr. Brightson stressed to conference participants. The conference, themed “Strengthening Free Primary Health Care – Accelerating Equity and Access to Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Nutrition Services towards attainment of the SDG 2030,” brought health experts together to call for urgent investments in primary health care, nutrition, and improved quality of care. These measures, they agreed, are critical to preventing avoidable deaths and curbing rising complications among women and children. A growing concern is the incidence of Visico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a debilitating childbirth injury that leaves women incontinent. While specialists repair some cases, limited funding means only 80 fistula repairs are targeted for 2025, leaving many women without help. Dr. Brightson called for stronger health financing, more robust supply chains, better coordination among government agencies, and expanded community health systems. “Primary health care is the backbone of our health system. If it fails, mothers, newborns, children, adolescents, and the elderly will pay the price,” he warned. Other conference speakers highlighted a silent nutrition crisis, pointing to the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods and unhealthy dietary habits, which are fueling high rates of micronutrient deficiencies among women and children. Dr. Maxwell Bisala Konla, a dietitian at the University of Ghana Hospital, urged the government to make healthy diets more affordable and to integrate nutrition services into every primary health care encounter. Meanwhile, Dr. Promise Sefogah, General Secretary of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Ghana (SOGOG), pressed for urgent policy action to support women during the menopausal transition and for universal access to respectful, quality obstetric care. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Ghana’s Vice President, Her Excellency Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for a revitalised and equitable partnership between Africa and Europe, urging leaders to build on shared values and mutual respect as she addressed the Seventh AU–EU Summit in Luanda, Angola. Speaking before an audience of Heads of State, government leaders, and senior officials from both continents, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang delivered warm greetings from President John Dramani Mahama and extended congratulations to Angola as it celebrates its 50th Independence anniversary. She described the Summit as unfolding during a period of “profound global transformation,” stressing the need for Africa and Europe to chart a path guided by sustainable development, partnership, and mutual benefit. Reflecting on progress since the landmark Cairo Summit in 2000, the Vice President noted significant achievements in peace, security, and governance, commending the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) as a milestone. Yet, she cautioned that persistent challenges, climate shocks, geopolitical tensions, piracy, and ongoing humanitarian crises, require urgent and coordinated action. Turning to Ghana’s own trajectory, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the country’s 2026 budget as evidence of a renewed commitment to economic stabilisation and growth. She cited falling inflation, a stabilised cedi, and strengthened fiscal governance as indicators of resilience. Ghana’s economic strategy, she explained, is anchored on restoring stability, enhancing infrastructure and connectivity, and prioritising job creation and human capital, pillars that align with the AU–EU Vision 2030 and position Ghana to contribute to Africa’s ongoing transformation. On matters of peace and security, the Vice President described West Africa as a region of vibrant economies and energetic youth, while warning of rising threats from extremist groups exploiting poverty and environmental challenges. She announced Ghana’s intention to convene a regional meeting to address violent extremism and called for greater support, financial, technical, and logistical, for APSA, the African Governance Architecture, and Regional Economic Communities. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang welcomed the European Union’s €150 billion Global Gateway Initiative, especially its focus on green energy and digital transformation. She expressed Ghana’s hope for further EU assistance with offshore patrol waivers, repairs to the Kpone hydroelectric dam, and improvements to the Damongo water facility. As Ghana continues its leadership on the African Union’s Year of Reparations, the Vice President revealed the country’s intent to present a UN resolution recognising the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as a grave crime against humanity, urging European partners to join as co-sponsors. She also praised Africa-Europe cooperation at the UN Human Rights Council and encouraged continued momentum toward justice and equity. Concluding her address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang invoked the legacy of Kofi Annan, emphasising the inseparability of development, security, and human rights. She urged leaders to forge a partnership that transforms these principles into action, expanding opportunity through peace, and achieving development through stability. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

Colonel Dou Yan, the Chinese Defence Attaché to Ghana, paid a working visit to the Ministry of Defence, underscoring the deepening diplomatic engagement between Ghana and China. Welcoming Colonel Dou Yan, Deputy Minister for Defence Mr. Ernest Brogya Genfi expressed sincere appreciation for China’s critical support in the ongoing investigation into the recent Z-9 helicopter crash. Mr. Genfi highlighted that China’s assistance exemplifies its enduring commitment to Ghana’s defence progress. Colonel Dou Yan, in turn, reaffirmed Beijing’s readiness to further strengthen bilateral defence ties. He extended an official invitation to the Deputy Minister to visit China, aiming to facilitate additional high-level dialogues and collaboration. Discussions during the visit centered on expanding military-to-military cooperation and identifying new avenues for partnership, particularly in capacity building, technological advancement, and operational support. Both sides agreed that deepening cooperation would yield mutual benefits and strengthen the security architecture of both nations. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Majority Caucus on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee has put the spotlight on the need for public participation and legal clarity in Ghana’s lithium mining negotiations, insisting that the country’s mineral wealth must be managed through open and transparent processes. Committee Chairman Alhaji Collins Dauda, speaking to the media, outlined the evolving status of the lithium mining agreement currently before Parliament. He drew attention to the significant differences between the original deal presented in 2024 and the revised version now under consideration. According to Dauda, the initial agreement between Ghana and Barari DV Ghana Limited, tabled by then-Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Abu Jinapor, was the result of consultations with traditional authorities and state agencies. However, during parliamentary scrutiny, concerns surfaced over the royalty rate and the fairness of the proposed terms. The 2024 agreement recommended a 10% royalty on lithium, a figure that contradicted Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, which, after a 2010 amendment, sets a flat royalty rate of 5%. The committee advised that the law needed to be amended to accommodate this higher rate, but no such amendment occurred, rendering the agreement legally non-compliant and halting its ratification. The new agreement, submitted by the current administration, aligns royalty payments with the legal 5% rate, with Dauda stressing that any future increase would require a formal amendment to the law. To ensure a fair and inclusive process, the committee has launched a wide-ranging public consultation, publishing notices and inviting stakeholder input on the agreement’s terms and the country’s broader approach to lithium mining. Dauda assured that no agreement will be ratified until all legal requirements are met and the perspectives of Ghanaians are fully considered, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to a transparent and beneficial outcome for the nation. Source: Apexnewsgh.com