The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Maame Efua Houadjeto, has paid a compassionate visit to victims of the recent canopy walk accident at Amedzofe in the Volta Region. During her visit, Maame Efua Houadjeto spent time with the injured individuals receiving treatment, offering heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the Authority and the wider tourism sector. She wished the victims a swift recovery and assured them that the GTA is committed to supporting them through their healing process. The GTA CEO also praised the medical team for their prompt and effective response to the incident and pledged that the Authority would enhance safety measures at tourist sites nationwide to prevent similar accidents in the future. The accident, which occurred earlier in the week, involved a group of visitors who sustained various injuries on the popular canopy walkway. Authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident and to implement measures that will safeguard visitors going forward. The Ghana Tourism Authority reiterated its dedication to prioritising visitor safety while continuing to promote the growth of domestic tourism. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

The Graduate Unemployed Nurses and Midwives Association has announced plans to stage a protest in response to what it calls the government’s prolonged delay in posting its members, some of whom have been waiting at home for up to five years. A demonstration scheduled for this week was postponed after the association was unable to finalise security arrangements with the Greater Accra Regional Police Command. Despite this setback, frustration among unemployed graduates continues to grow. Speaking to the media, December 9, 2025, Gamal Osman, a member who completed his nursing training in 2021, described the hardship faced by many. “I have been in the house for four years. I completed school in 2021. We are all stranded. Remember, completing school and depending on someone is not easy. How to even buy water is not easy,” he lamented. The association maintains that it will persist with all lawful means to press for the immediate posting of its members until the government addresses their concerns. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Professor Ernest Yorke, has called on the government to swiftly resolve persistent challenges that deter newly deployed doctors from accepting postings in underserved areas. His appeal comes in the wake of Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh’s decision to grant newly assigned doctors an extra week to assume duty, after data revealed that 70 percent had not reported to their posts. The Minister described the initial turnout as “deeply troubling,” with the Upper East and Upper West regions recording no arrivals as of Friday, November 28. In an interview on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Prof. Yorke explained that reluctance among doctors to move to remote locations stems primarily from poor incentives, inadequate facilities, and limited opportunities for career advancement. He argued that pairing government expectations with meaningful incentives would increase the willingness of doctors to serve in deprived areas. “It’s a chicken-and-egg situation. Incentives could motivate sacrifice, or sacrifice could attract incentives. Ideally, we should pursue both,” Prof. Yorke remarked. While the GMA continues to encourage its members to accept rural postings, Prof. Yorke emphasised that the government must recognise their sacrifices by offering suitable compensation and support. He noted that other countries reward doctors who accept assignments in hard-to-reach areas and suggested Ghana could adopt a similar approach. He also revealed that the Ministry of Health already possesses a GMA-designed “Deprived Area Incentive” framework, which is yet to be implemented. Another barrier, Prof. Yorke highlighted, is the limited access to postgraduate training in deprived regions, which often forces doctors to pay substantial fees to specialise. This, he said, is a further deterrent for those considering rural postings. Beyond staffing, Prof. Yorke stressed the importance of completing healthcare infrastructure projects, particularly the abandoned Agenda 111 facilities. “We need more than personnel; we need functional facilities. Why not partner with the private sector to finish these hospital projects?” he suggested. He noted that while reporting rates in Greater Accra, Central, and Ashanti regions remain relatively stable, many other regions continue to struggle with severe shortages. Prof. Yorke concluded by urging the government to engage in broader consultations with stakeholders and the public to develop sustainable solutions that will guarantee equitable healthcare delivery across the nation. Source: Apexnewsgh.com

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

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

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