Minister of Health Denies Claims of Punitive Rural Postings for Medical Officers
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has firmly rejected allegations that newly deployed medical officers are being punished by their postings to rural and underserved districts. Instead, he insists the exercise is a crucial step to ensure equitable access to healthcare nationwide. Addressing journalists in Parliament, Mr. Akandoh clarified that the deployment strategy is focused on prioritising communities with the greatest need, particularly in the Upper East and Upper West regions, where some health facilities have gone months without a single doctor present. “This is not punishment; it is national service,” the Minister stated. “Doctors must be posted where they are needed most. This is how we save lives and strengthen healthcare access for all Ghanaians.” He disclosed that newly posted medical officers assigned to the two northern regions have been given a one-week deadline to report to their duty stations or formally communicate any inability to do so. No exceptions, he added, will be granted outside the established process. Mr. Akandoh appealed to chiefs, Members of Parliament, district assemblies, and other local stakeholders to actively welcome and support the doctors in their new communities. “When they feel welcomed and supported, they stay longer and serve better,” he noted. The Minister further assured that the government remains committed to providing incentive packages to boost morale, especially for those serving in deprived or hard-to-reach areas. These incentives are part of wider efforts to make rural postings more attractive and sustainable. “Incentives are not handouts; they are tools to strengthen service. Doctors serving in hard-to-reach areas deserve support, and the government is listening,” he said. Expressing confidence in the commitment of the newly deployed officers, Mr. Akandoh described the assignments as a vital component of national duty. “Ghana is counting on you. Serve where you are needed most,” he urged. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
U.S. Commits $150 Million to Zipline for Expanding Medical Drone Deliveries Across Africa
The United States Government has announced a commitment of up to $150 million to Zipline International Inc., aiming to expand access to life-saving medical supplies, including blood, vaccines, and essential medicines, to as many as 15,000 health facilities across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda. The announcement was made during a U.S. Embassy digital press briefing on Tuesday, December 2. This initiative is part of the U.S. Department of State’s America First Global Health Strategy, which seeks to maximize value for U.S. taxpayers by reducing waste, eliminating dependency, and ensuring development assistance aligns with U.S. foreign policy objectives. According to Jeff Graham of the U.S. Department of State, the strategy places a strong focus on delivering critical medical products to populations in remote and underserved areas. Partnering with Zipline, an American robotics and drone technology firm, is central to modernizing the U.S. approach to global health aid. Under the agreement, the U.S. will support Zipline’s expansion of advanced, American-made robotics to overcome the slow and unreliable logistics that often hinder timely medical deliveries in rural communities. Graham described the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening health systems, enabling rapid responses to disease outbreaks and emergencies, while also supporting U.S. manufacturing and job creation in partner nations. Although the U.S. contribution is described as modest, beneficiary governments will eventually take over operational responsibilities for their national health delivery networks. Zipline is set to open new distribution centers in the five participating countries, with Rwanda expected to double its daily delivery capacity, ultimately enabling the network to reach up to 130 million people across Africa. Caitlin Burton, CEO of Zipline Africa, explained that Zipline operates autonomous, all-weather drones day and night, delivering a centralized, on-demand medical supply chain that is far more efficient than traditional logistics systems. Supported by organizations like the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Zipline has demonstrated that its delivery model is both cost-effective and highly impactful. The new U.S. partnership is projected to allow Zipline to expand its reach to national scale in all five countries, creating an estimated 1,000 jobs and generating over $1 billion in annual economic gains across the partner nations. Burton emphasized Zipline’s mission to build health systems capable of ending preventable deaths from HIV, maternal mortality, and severe malnutrition by leveraging a single high-performing logistics network. Burton noted that government investments will be tailored to each country’s priorities and health needs, and that Zipline works closely with governments to identify access gaps in remote and underserved communities. “This system is meant to operate nationwide and at the scale required to deliver volumes of medical products that can actually change health outcomes. We now know how to solve challenges like maternal mortality and malnutrition, and the network is built to meet those goals,” she stated. While the U.S. provides initial capital, governments are expected to cover the predictable, long-term operating costs. The model is designed to replace multiple expensive, disease-specific programs with one unified delivery network that addresses a range of health challenges. “With this system, you’re not funding a single program or a one-off intervention. You’re ensuring that essential medical products reach patients wherever they are, including communities where distance or stigma might prevent people from seeking care,” Burton added. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Accra’s Mayor Launches GH¢100-a-Day Sanitation Drive for Festive Season
Accra’s Mayor, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has announced a new initiative that will see the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) pay individuals GH¢100 daily to help spruce up the city in preparation for the festive season. The opportunity, which specifically targets unemployed young people, was revealed by the mayor as he led a citywide exercise to paint kerbs along major roads—a move aimed at beautifying the capital and enhancing nighttime safety ahead of Christmas. Mayor Allotey encouraged interested individuals to visit the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and join the cleaning and beautification teams. Participants will receive GH¢100 a day for a period of 30 days for their work. The sanitation and beautification exercise commenced on Saturday, November 29, 2025, and involves painting kerbs along medians and road shoulders stretching from John Evans Atta Mills High Street to Independence Avenue. The effort is expected to improve visibility, eliminate dark spots, and give Accra a brighter, more welcoming appearance at night. Speaking to journalists during the operation, Mayor Allotey said the kerb painting is being combined with an intensive citywide sweeping campaign. Already, 190 personnel have been deployed across the metropolis, with plans to employ an additional 400 young people to scale up the operation and create more job opportunities. He explained that the freshly painted kerbs will significantly improve road safety by making medians and road edges easier for drivers to spot, reducing the risk of accidents on major routes. The mayor stressed that the initiative is part of the assembly’s broader commitment to ensuring Accra is clean, vibrant, and welcoming during the festive period. Mayor Allotey called on residents and business operators to support the ongoing sanitation drive by keeping their surroundings clean. During the exercise, he also cautioned a man for sweeping waste from a pharmacy frontage onto the pavement, warning that such actions are punishable by the Sanitation Court. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
WHO Sounds Alarm on Gender-Based Violence as Global Crisis Persists
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sounded a grave warning over the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence (GBV), calling it a public health emergency that continues to devastate the lives of one in three women around the world. In a statement released to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, WHO underscored the profound and lasting physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health consequences faced by survivors. The organisation also highlighted the often-unseen toll on children who witness violence at home, leaving them at greater risk for emotional and behavioural issues. WHO noted that health workers are frequently the first—and sometimes the only—professionals whom survivors turn to for support. This reality, the organisation stressed, underscores the urgent need for robust, survivor-centred health systems capable of responding to the complex needs of those affected by GBV. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, WHO EMRO reiterated its ongoing support for Member States by training healthcare providers, strengthening system-wide responses, and improving cross-sector coordination to ensure that no survivor is left unseen or unsupported. The statement drew attention to the heightened risks faced by women and girls in emergency settings, such as refugees and those displaced by conflict, who are vulnerable to violence both online and offline. Women and girls with disabilities, WHO added, confront even greater obstacles in seeking help. Reaffirming its commitment, WHO called for inclusive, accessible, and safe health services where every woman and girl can seek care and support with dignity and without fear. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
CDS Visits Injured Soldiers at 37 Military Hospital, Pledges Support and Safety Review
Lieutenant General William Agyapong, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), has paid a compassionate visit to military personnel recuperating at the 37 Military Hospitals after a recent vehicular accident between Salaga and Tamale. The accident, which occurred late last week, involved a military vehicle carrying duty-bound personnel. Several officers sustained injuries of varying severity and were promptly airlifted to Accra for specialised treatment. On Monday, 24 November 2025, Lt. Gen. Agyapong met with the wounded soldiers, extending the Ghana Armed Forces’ unwavering support and personally commending the hospital’s medical team for their rapid and professional response. He assured the injured officers that every effort would be made to provide them with the best possible care. The CDS also announced that a full investigation would be launched to determine the cause of the accident and to review safety protocols for troop movement and operations. The families of those injured voiced their gratitude for the visit and the ongoing commitment shown by the Armed Forces’ leadership to the welfare of its personnel. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Police Arrests Murder Suspect at Kibi
According to a press release by the Public Relations Unit of the Ghana Police Service Eastern South, DSP David Fianko-Okyere reported that on Sunday, November 16, 2025, the Eastern South Regional Police Command arrested Kwame Arhin, also known as Abompe, a 37-year-old carpenter, at a bush near Kibi Presbyterian College of Education. The arrest followed a distress call received on Saturday, November 15, 2025, alleging the murder of a man at Kibi Newtown. The police deployed teams of detectives, including the Crime Scene Management team, to the crime scene near the Kibi Court Complex to commence investigations. At the scene, the police found the body of a male adult identified as Jonas Baah Sarpong. The scene was processed, and the body was removed and deposited at the Kibi Government Hospital morgue before being transferred to the Police Hospital in Accra for preservation and autopsy. Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased was a security guard at the Kibi Presbyterian College of Education, where a misunderstanding between him and suspect Kwame Arhin led to the latter slashing the victim’s throat with a cutlass and absconding. The suspect is in custody and is being processed for court, while investigations are ongoing. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Government Delegation Consoles Families of El-Wak Stadium Stampede Victims
The Deputy Minister for Defence, Mr. Ernest Brogya Genfi, on Thursday led a high-level government delegation to visit and console the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic El-Wak Stadium stampede. Mr. Brogya Genfi was joined on the visit by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo; the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey; and several other senior government officials. The visit formed part of the government’s ongoing efforts to commiserate with the bereaved families and provide much-needed emotional and logistical support during this difficult time. Speaking on behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Mr. Brogya Genfi described the stampede as a “deeply unfortunate tragedy” that has left the entire nation in mourning. He reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to stand by the affected families and assured them that they would not be left to bear their painful loss alone. “The government stands with you in these trying moments,” Mr. Brogya Genfi stated, adding that further arrangements and support measures would be communicated to the families in due course. The government has indicated that additional announcements will be made as investigations continue and support interventions are finalised. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Tragedy at El-Wak: Military Recruitment Stampede Claims 6 Lives in Accra
What began as a day of hope ended in heartbreak at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The stadium, usually abuzz with the excitement of sporting events, became the scene of tragedy during an ongoing military recruitment exercise, as a stampede claimed the lives of 6 young Ghanaians and left several others critically injured. Trouble began early in the day, as thousands of hopeful applicants surged toward the stadium’s gates, desperate for a chance to enlist in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the crowd, far larger than anticipated, quickly overwhelmed security personnel. Jostling and shoving at narrow entry points soon erupted into chaos. Within minutes, the festive atmosphere gave way to panic, screams, and a frantic struggle for safety. By evening, the military confirmed that six people had died, but the death toll later rose to 6 as six more succumbed to their injuries. The bodies of the deceased were transported to the 37 Military Hospital morgue, while dozens of others, some in critical condition, were rushed to the emergency ward and Intensive Care Unit. Security forces moved swiftly to cordon off the stadium and block all major access roads, allowing rescue teams to work unimpeded. The tragic stampede occurred amidst an extended recruitment period for the Ghana Armed Forces. Originally set to close on October 31, 2025, the deadline had been extended by a week to accommodate applicants who had faced technical issues with the online portal. The extension, announced in a statement signed by Colonel Evelyn Ntiamoah Asamoah, Acting Director General of Public Relations, was intended to ensure fairness, but instead contributed to the overwhelming turnout that fateful morning. As news of the tragedy spread, questions mounted about crowd control and safety measures at large-scale recruitment events. Authorities have yet to issue a full statement on the incident, but preliminary reports suggest that inadequate crowd management and the sheer number of applicants played a significant role in the disaster. Investigations are expected to be launched to uncover the precise circumstances that led to the stampede and to prevent similar tragedies in future recruitment exercises. For now, the nation mourns the loss of twelve of its youth, victims of a system overwhelmed by demand, and of hopes that, for some, ended in heartbreak rather than a new beginning. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
UER: 7,549 People Living With HIV Amid Rising New Infections
At the inauguration of the Upper East Regional Committee of the Ghana AIDS Commission (ReCCOM), Mr. Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, shared sobering news with the gathering. The region, he revealed, is home to 7,549 people living with HIV. Of these, 345 are new infections, which translates to a regional prevalence rate of 0.85%. But the numbers held a deeper concern. Shockingly, only 49.4% of those affected are currently receiving lifesaving antiretroviral therapy. “These numbers reveal a significant gap that we must urgently address if we are to reach our targets and end AIDS as a public health concern by 2030,” the Minister urged, his voice carrying the weight of the challenge ahead. He noted that while the overall prevalence rate remains relatively low for now, the fight is far from over. Urban centers in the region are seeing a worrying increase in new HIV cases. The Minister cautioned against complacency, pointing to the dangers posed by misinformation spread by self-styled vigilantes and traditional healers, forces that undermine efforts to keep patients on their treatment regimens. Perhaps the most daunting challenge, however, lies in the stigma and discrimination that people living with HIV continue to face. The Minister highlighted this as an area that demands strong leadership. He called for a renewed focus on intensive behavior change communication, robust partnerships with the media, and community engagement. Only through compassion, inclusion, and accurate information, he stressed, can the region hope to close the treatment gap and make real progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
CHRAJ’s Steadfast Role in Ghana’s HIV/AIDS Response: Achievements, Challenges, and the Journey Ahead
At the grand inauguration of the Upper East Regional Committee of the Ghana AIDS Commission (ReCCOM), the air was filled with a sense of hope and purpose. Among the distinguished guests and partners, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) stood out, represented by Mr. Edmond Alagpulinsa. As he took to the podium, Mr. Alagpulinsa’s words painted a vivid story of commitment, collaboration, and resilience in the region’s ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. Mr. Alagpulinsa began by expressing CHRAJ’s sincere gratitude to the Regional Co-ordinating Council and its partners. The recognition of CHRAJ as a strategic partner in the HIV/AIDS response, he noted, was not just an honor but a reflection of the Commission’s enduring commitment to upholding human rights in Ghana. This partnership, he explained, is deeply rooted in the CHRAJ Act, 1993 (Act 456), which mandates the Commission to investigate violations of fundamental rights and freedoms, injustice, corruption, abuse of power, and unfair treatment by public officials. This legal framework, Mr. Alagpulinsa underscored, extends protection to all citizens, including those living with HIV/AIDS. He highlighted that the Ghana AIDS Commission Act, 2016 (Act 938), spells out specific rights for persons living with HIV/AIDS, and CHRAJ is duty-bound to actively promote and protect these rights. “Our role in defending the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS,” he said, “is not just important, it is absolutely critical.” The journey, as Mr. Alagpulinsa described, has been one of seeking out strong partnerships to fulfill CHRAJ’s mandate. Organizations such as WAPCAS, the Ghana AIDS Commission, and Hope for Future Generations have been steadfast allies. Through these collaborations, CHRAJ has empowered its staff and focal persons on HIV/AIDS with specialized training. They have been educated on the Legal Aid Commission Act, with a particular focus on the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS, strategies to combat stigma and discrimination, and the principles of Alternative Dispute Resolution. This training, Mr. Alagpulinsa emphasized, has equipped the Commission’s team with the knowledge and skills necessary to handle the sensitive cases reported by those living with HIV/AIDS in the region. In addition to training, CHRAJ has actively engaged with individuals at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Periodic outreach sessions, conducted in collaboration with Hope for Future Generations, have made a tangible impact. Participants in these sessions not only learn about their fundamental rights but also find a safe space to resolve personal and domestic issues. “These engagements are more than educational, they are transformative,” Mr. Alagpulinsa remarked. CHRAJ’s approach, he explained, is both human-centered and friendly, making the Commission accessible to those who need it most. Persons living with HIV/AIDS now feel more comfortable and confident in approaching CHRAJ with their complaints, knowing they will be treated with dignity and respect. The Commission’s support goes beyond legal redress; counseling services are provided, and ongoing education about rights and freedoms is a cornerstone of their work. Yet, Mr. Alagpulinsa did not shy away from discussing the formidable challenges CHRAJ faces. Among the most pressing issues is the lack of adequate logistics. Limited resources have made it difficult for the Commission to conduct regular public education and outreach activities. The cost of securing airtime on radio stations, an essential platform for public sensitization, has become prohibitive. Similarly, organizing direct engagement sessions with the public is often hampered by financial constraints, restricting the Commission’s ability to meet the growing demand for its services. Stigma and discrimination, Mr. Alagpulinsa explained, remain persistent obstacles. He shared the story of an elderly woman in the municipality, ostracized and assaulted simply because of perceptions surrounding her HIV status. On several occasions, CHRAJ had to step in, providing protection and standing as a shield against the community’s prejudice. Such cases, he noted, illustrate the deep-seated challenges that go beyond legal mandates and require a collective effort to address. Another significant challenge lies in inter-institutional collaboration. Sometimes, cases reported to CHRAJ intersect with issues outside its jurisdiction, necessitating cooperation with other state institutions. However, this collaboration is not always as effective as it should be, leading to gaps in service and, at times, frustration for those seeking help. Mr. Alagpulinsa stressed the importance of strengthening these partnerships to ensure a seamless support system for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Despite these hurdles, CHRAJ remains undeterred. The Commission’s achievements, empowering staff, educating communities, providing counseling, and serving as a beacon of hope for vulnerable individuals, are a testament to its unwavering dedication. “All our services,” Mr. Alagpulinsa concluded, “are provided free of charge. Our doors are always open at the Regional Co-ordinating Council block.” As the event drew to a close, the story of CHRAJ’s contributions, achievements, and challenges resonated with all present. It was a call to action, a reminder that the fight for the rights and dignity of persons living with HIV/AIDS is a shared responsibility, and that with continued collaboration, compassion, and commitment, a brighter future is within reach for the Upper East Region and beyond. Source: Apexnewsgh.com