Day: December 14, 2023

The inflation rate fell sharply in November 2023 to 26.4 per cent compared to 35.2 per cent in the previous month, the Ghana Statistical Service said on Thursday.

This means that in November 2023 the general price level was 26.4 per cent higher than November 2022.

The Month-on-month inflation between October 2023 and November 2023 was 1.5 percent.

Professor Samuel Annim, the Government Statistician at a press briefing, said the?Consumer?Price?Index?for November 2023 was 198.2 relative to 156.8 for November 2022.

He said food inflation contributed 32.2 per cent to all inflation compared to last month’s food inflation of 44.8 per cent with the month-on-month food inflation at 0.8 per cent.

Meanwhile, non-food inflation also contributed 21.7 per cent, compared to last month’s non-food inflation of 27.7 per cent with the Month-on-month being 2.2 per cent.

Inflation for imported items was 27.1 per cent as compared to Inflation for locally produced items at 26.1 per cent.

On a regional basis, the Western Re
gion recorded the highest inflation?rate?of 39.8 per cent with the Greater Accra Region overtaking the Ashanti Region to record 31.3 per cent as the lowest regional inflation.

Previously, the North East Region recorded the highest regional inflation of?54.4 per cent.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The St. John’s Hospital and Fertility Centre has denied allegations of medical negligence and vicarious culpability made by Mr. And Mrs. Sackey, which they claim resulted in the loss of their baby.

The Hospital, through its lawyers, stated that the claims made against it in a lawsuit filed in court were false, baseless, and unjustified.

The couple sued the medical facility for alleged medical negligence, seeking GH5 million for the loss of life, pain, and suffering, they said were caused by their actions.

However, the lawyers, said the claims were meant to ruin their client’s hard-earned image as one of the best fertility centres in the country.

‘We also wish to inform you that this allegation can best be described as extortionary,’ they added.

The Hospital’s lawyers said that the writ had not been served on their client, and that their client first learned of the writ in a Ghana News Agency, publication dated December 12, 2023, with the headline: ‘Couple sues St. John’s Hospital and Fertility Center
for GH5million over alleged negligence’.

They said that their client and its health personnel provided reasonable care to Mrs. Sandra Tekyiwaa Sackey from her antenatal care to her baby’s delivery, in accordance with the established norms and protocols accepted in the medical profession.

The lawyers said their client never breached its duty to Mrs. Sackey.

‘At the time Mrs. Sackey visited our client’s health facility and upon detection of her signs of labour being water breaking, which she claimed happened an hour earlier, Mrs. Sackey was immediately attended to,’ they added.

They said that Mrs Sackey alerted their health personnel about an impending examination, which she was required to write on the same day.

Their client and the health staff convinced Mrs. Sackey to forego her scheduled examination that day for the welfare of her unborn child, they said.

‘This was eminent on the account of poor heartbeat of the unborn baby and the need to save the baby urgently,’ they explained.

They stated that thi
s was after a lengthy delay on the part of Mrs. Sackey, who persisted in leaving their client’s hospital to write her examinations on the same day she was due to have a baby.

‘Mrs. Sackey agreed to be admitted upon further advice and persuasion from our client.’

‘Our client and its staff acted expeditiously when they realised that the baby was asphyxiated after the delivery,’ the lawyers said.

They said the doctor on duty helped resuscitate the baby and arrangements were made to transfer the baby to another hospital for further treatment.

They said their client attended to Mrs. Sackey, and later discharged her on August 14, 2023, at 1400 hours.

The lawyers said their client was informed through a letter from Mrs. Sackey’s attorney dated November 3, 2023, that the baby died on August 14, 2023, at the referral hospital.

‘We wish to state that our client has every intention of contesting the said writ when served on our client,’ it said.

The lawyers said their client has had over 4288 deliveries of babies
since 2012, with six stillbirths and four macerated births.

‘The health facility has won the hearts of its numerous clients based on sound management practices.

‘It has a very disciplined workforce, who recognise the need to provide highly skilled and satisfactory care to its clients.

‘Every decision made by our client’s healthcare professionals is guided by the highest standards of care,’ they said.

St John’s Hospital and Fertility Centre has won numerous awards, including the CIMG for best Private Hospital 2020, Customers Choice Fertility Centre of the Year 2021, Trusted Women and Fertility Hospital of the year 2021, HealthCare Centre of the Year (Fertility) 2022 from National Customers Choice and Best Community Involvement Hospital 2022 from West Africa Excellence Healthcare awards.

Others are the Ultramodern Medical Facility of the Year 2022 from the Ghana-West Africa Excellence Awards, the Fertility Hospital Brand of the Year 2023 from the Ghana Corporate BRANDS Awards, the Healthcare Facility of
the Year 2023 from the NCCAwards Ghana, and the Outstanding Private Specialist Hospital of the Year (Gynaecology) from the Ghana-West Africa Health Excellence Award 2023.
Source: Ghana News Agency

An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a driver to four years imprisonment in hard labour for stealing a Nissan Versa valued at GHc70,000.00.

Samuel Asamoah was also found culpable for stealing a cheque with the face value of GHC50,000.00 though he denied the offence.

The Court presided over by Mrs Kizita Naa Kowa Quarshie sentenced Asamoah to three years imprisonment for stealing the vehicle and four years imprisonment for the theft of the money. Sentences are to run concurrently.

Inspector Dacosta Bobie Ansah, giving the facts said Ali Khadra, the complainant is a salesman working with Star Food Company limited at Spintex whilst Asamoah, now convict, is a driver residing at Martey Tsuru, Accra.

He said on November 21, 2023, the complainant engaged the services of the convict as his personal driver.

Three days into his engagement, the convict went to the househelp of the complainant at about 0630 hours and collected the keys of a Nissan Versa car with registration number GB7128-22, belonging to the compl
ainant under the pretext of going to wash it outside the house.

Inspector Ansah said Asamoah, who had the intention to dishonestly appropriate the vehicle, drove it to a secret place at Asamankese in the Eastern Region.

He also stole the complainant’s signed Fidelity cheque leaflet with a face value of GHC50,000.00 and deposited it into his Stanbic Bank Account, the Court heard.

The prosecution told the Court that the cheque however could not be cleared because the complainant reported the theft to his bankers.

Inspector Ansah said after all efforts made to trace the convict proved futile, a report was made to Manet police and an investigation commenced.

As part of the investigation, all station messages were relayed for the arrest of him, the prosecution said.

Inspector Ansah said on November 27, 2023, the Manet Police received information from the Asamankese Police that Asamoah was in their custody on another matter. He was immediately handed over together with the vehicle to the Manet police to assis
t in investigations, the Court heard.

He said Asamoah admitted the offence in his cautioned statement to the Police and after investigation, he was arraigned.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Government will soon clamp down on foreigners engaging in illegal gold buying in the country, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr George Mireku Duker, announced.

These foreign nationals smuggle the gold to their respective countries without paying legitimate taxes to the government.

Mr Duker, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency, disclosed this in an engagement with the Tarkwa gold buyers’ association.

‘I am advising Ghanaians involved in the gold buying trade to refrain from purchasing the gold for foreigners because the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) states that all small-scale mining activities must be done by the indigenes.

‘The activities of small-scale miners, which include gold buyers have not had much influence on them, their communities and where they operate because after these miners extract the gold they sell same to the foreigners, ‘he stated.

The MP emphasized that the government would build the capacity of gold buyers
to acquire the needed license to buy the gold independently adding, ‘It’s not always that the government will be harassing people, his intension is to create an enabling environment for you to go about your business smoothly.’

Mr Duker explained that the establishment of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) in Tarkwa would aid in building the capabilities of the gold buyers to be safe in the business, added that, ‘You need to put an end to this unlawful practice because the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is ever ready to support you to do the right thing.’

He expressed worry on the excessive use of mercury by small scale miners in Tarkwa to take out gold, the report on my table is frightening.

‘Heating of mercury releases mercury vapour into the atmosphere and has numerous implications on human health. It can cause birth defects. If we do not end these negative practices, it will affect the forthcoming generation’ he said.

In addition, the Deputy Minister assured Ghanaians that the gove
rnment was developing several technologies that would help small -scale miners to extract gold without the use of mercury.

Mr Duker said similar engagements would be held across all the mining communities in the country to encourage the gold buyers to locally trade among themselves.

Alhaji Dauda Sulemanu, Chairman of the Tarkwa Gold Dealers Association, expressed gratitude to the MP for the information, and pledged to ensure that their members would adhered to the directive by the government.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Ecobank Ghana Limited and partners of the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative (ZMBLI) have held a meeting with the some private sector organisations to seek support for the initiative to help eliminate malaria from Ghana.

The meeting, which was held in Accra, attracted businesses in the pharmaceutical industry and others to discuss support for the initiative.

Ecobank in June 2023 announced the establishment of the Zero Malaria Fund, with an initial seed money of USD120,000.

ZMBLI has three key objectives aimed at mobilising resources, advocating for change, and forging strategic partnerships that will drive meaningful impact.

Acting Managing Director of the bank , Ms Joana Mensah said the fight against malaria demanded a collective action as the disease remained a threat to the well-being of millions of people across the African continent.

‘We at Ecobank are of the firm belief that the private sector has a crucial role to play in driving positive change and fostering sustainable development. It
is in this spirit that we agreed to play a leading role for ZMBLI in Ghana. This has been a beautiful collaboration with the RBM partnership to end Malaria, and Speak Up Africa, to galvanise support aimed at eliminating malaria in Ghana,’ she stated.

She said the bank was convinced that Ghana could unlock tremendous opportunities for growth, and improve the quality of life of its citizens, if malaria was eliminated.

Ecobank, Ms Mensah said was poised to increase funding for the national malaria elimination effort , in a sustainable manner, as well as grow the network of private sector malaria champions, and contributors to the zero malaria fund.

The purpose was to support the NMEP and the efforts of government to ensure a malaria-free Ghana.

She disclosed that the money had been earmarked to procure digital microscopes, electronic tablets, and one 4×4 pickup for the project.

‘These three-line items alone have almost completely exhausted the fund,’ she said and called for urgent support to grow the fund.

S
he expressed the hope that the eventual outcome of the project would be positive and each stakeholders will look back one day and say with much pride that ‘we were part of the Ghanaian individuals and institutions that responded to the call to support the malaria fight.’

‘Together, we can build a future where no child, no family, and no community is burdened by the devastating impact of malaria,’ she said.

Private Sector Coordinator-National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Phyllis Owusu-Achau said malaria accounted for about 30 percent of all outpatient department (OPD) visits, and 25 percent of all hospital admissions in Ghana.

She said it was feasible to eliminate malaria in the country by 2028, adding that it would save the country about US$32billion annually.

Head-Marketing and Corporate Communication, Ecobank Ghana, Dr. Daniel Kasser Tee, said based on an analysis of the malaria burden and funding gap, a steering committee to mobilise private sector funds in support of the project had been esta
blished.

The campaign intends to leverage Ecobank’s network in the sub-region to mobilise private resources and increase funding for national malaria elimination in a sustainable way.

Ghana is the fifth country to join the ZMBLI project after it was first launched in Senegal, Benin, Burkina Faso and Uganda.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Municipal Youth Director of Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Mr Benjamin Teye Aborbi, has warned the Ahwetieso Youth Association (AYA) not to dabble in any form of chieftaincy disputes in the area.

He said the grouping should be used as a tool or agent of change and transformation to advocate against challenges and activities that goes contrary to the norms of the Ahwetieso community such as the practice of LGBTQ+, drug abuse, violence, fraud, disrespect to the elderly, hooliganism, and gambling.

The Municipal Youth Director gave the advice when he inaugurated the Ahwetieso Youth Association and sworn into office executives to steer the affairs of the group for a year.

‘The Association must operate within the set aims and objectives upon which the National Youth Authority (NYA) registered it and not engage in any act which shall undermine the peace and security of the Ahwetieso community and retard its development and growth. Note that failure to comply shall be tantamount to a period of Six Months Suspension’ he warne
d.

Mr Aborbi said the association must not use the name of the NYA to engage in illegal activities of which a violation means a withdrawal of their certificate to operate.

He urged the executives to organize positive life impacting programmes such as speaker events/forum on the various topical issues especially the ones that would contribute to the immediate growth of the association and its members.

Such training, the Municipal Youth Director explained, might vary from entrepreneurship/skills training for the unskilled and unemployed members, health, marriage, and home keeping.

Mr Aborbi further said ‘Please observe the Community Service Week as directed by the President. It falls between 5th to 9th December and activities such as clean-up exercise, donation, offering free weekend classes for Primary and Junior High School pupils among others could be carried out to mark the week’

‘I urge all youth organizations that are operating illegally without recognition and certification from government, to do we
ll for their own good to register with the national youth authority secretariat for government recognition and certification to operate legally in accordance with section 25, of the NYA Act 2016 (Act 939).

‘Note that all youth and voluntary organizations that are not registered shall be proscribed by the close of this year (2023) in accordance with section 26 of the NYA Act 2016 (Act 939)’, he said.

The Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Benjamin Kessie, in a speech read on his behalf called on leaders of the association to build networks and establish partnership with stakeholders within its immediate environs and beyond.

The MCE who presented a cash sum of GH?2,000.00 to the AYA, again entreated them to inculcate in each other, the spirit of volunteerism, patriotism, and the zeal to enhance the development of the Ahwetieso community.

Mr Kessie appealed to the youth to celebrate this Christmas and New Year in modest, devoid of all kinds of negative practices that would mar the beauty of th
e festive season.

Some patrons who grace the occasion promised to continue to support AYA, implored the traditional authorities, Municipal Assembly and other stakeholders within the Ahwetieso enclave to assist the group,

The new executives are, Mr Isaac Mawusi, Chairman, Mr Matthew Egyir, Vice Chairman, Mr Joseph Kwofie, Secretary, Mr Michael Kwofie, Assistant Secretary, Mr Frederick Agyekum, Financial Secretary and Madam Charlotte Adobea, Treasurer.

The rest are; Mr Foster Gyimah, Organizer, Mr Ezekiel Naidoo, Assistant Organizer, Miss Abigail Arthur, Women Commissioner, Mr Henry Ewiase Abekah, Public Relations Officer, Mr Sylvanus Mensah, Chaplain and Mr Theophilus Afful, Porter.
Source: Ghana News Agency