Day: April 10, 2024

‘I would have lost my life to COVID-19 if my family were poor. Despite the government support and interventions, they were not enough to save my life from the dreaded virus.

‘The country’s health system is challenged, and any outbreak of infectious diseases could be devastating on the population if care is not taken,’ Mr David Dannor (borrowed name), a survivor of COVID-19 disclosed in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Cape Coast.

‘People spent hundreds of cedis to ensure they accessed the best health services and treatment for the disease.’

‘Also, contact tracing was a major challenge. Those with whom I got into contact before testing positive were not traced and quarantined. This is one example of the many loopholes in the health system.’

The country needs robust healthcare structures to ensure its preparedness to counter any form of emergency. This is where adequate funding must be prioritised.

It is against this backdrop that the COVID-19 experience should be a case study to identify the sh
ortfalls, strengths, and weaknesses in Ghana’s health system.

Madam Gifty Armond (real name hidden) a businesswoman who lost her husband to COVID-19, attributed her loss to the unavailability of resources/medication for victims.

Though her husband was quarantined at home for care and treatment, medication became a challenge as it took so long before deliveries were made to the house.

”Sometimes it takes a week before we receive deliveries when his drugs had finished a long time,’ she said.

The country’s effective response to emergencies came into play during the pandemic, which emphasizes the need for the Government to consider proposals for the establishment of a health emergency fund to resolve such issues. This must, however, be pursued rigorously to counter future threats.

The COVID-19 Levy

The levy was introduced in the 2021 Budget and Economic Policy of the Government and was implemented as a temporary measure to recoup some of the expenses made in response to the pandemic and help put the econom
y back on track.

As Ghana grapples with the economic fallout being experienced by some other countries in the world, of which the COVID-19 pandemic has been cited as a contributory factor, discussions have emerged regarding the appropriateness of using the levy to bolster response to a future pandemic, if the need arises.

In recent months, there has been mixed reaction over the continued imposition of the COVID-19 levy. While some are advocating it should be scrapped since the pandemic is over and its original purpose has become obsolete, others say it should be channelled into a public health emergency fund (PHEF) to address broader societal needs.

Key among these advocates are civil society groups, economists, and politicians.

Repurposing the COVID-19 levy into an emergency fund would ensure greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency in addressing pressing needs, especially building resilience against future crises through strategic resource allocation.

‘I believe the Levy was set up purposel
y because of the COVID-19 pandemic and to help us regain our economy. It’s almost three years now since the disease left, What’s the essence of the levy again? It must be scrapped completely’ a health worker said.

Opportunity/ Challenges in transitioning COVID-19 levy to Emergency Fund

Some stakeholders have cautioned against the potential misuse of such funds and emphasised the need for a robust oversight mechanism to safeguard it against corruption.

In spite of the fears, they believe that a dedicated PHEF will enhance Ghana’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to a wide range of health emergencies, some of which the country relies on foreign aid to combat, which may not be forthcoming.

While the Government has acknowledged the growing calls for re-evaluating the COVID-19 levy, it has re-affirmed its commitment to fiscal prudence and responsiveness.

Its officials have indicated openness to exploring alternative approaches to resource mobilisation.

As Ghana navigates the complexities of post-pa
ndemic recovery, the debate surrounding the COVID-19 levy reinforces broader questions about fiscal policy, governance, and social resilience.

While opinions may vary on the best course of action, one thing remains clear: the need for adaptive and forward-thinking strategies to address immediate challenges and future uncertainties.

Whether the COVID-19 levy evolves into a Public Health Emergency Fund or undergoes alternative transformation, the ultimate goal must be to prioritise the well-being and resilience of the Ghanaian society to withstand any shocks; both internally and externally, albeit with good leadership, solid preparedness and high sustainability rate.

Thus, the establishment of a fund to assist in fighting against the public health crisis to strengthen Ghana’s self-reliance and avoid seeking external support during emergencies is an advocacy that cannot be overstated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Kwasi Badji, 47-year-old farmer at Okanta near Kadjebi in the Oti Region has allegedly stabbed his rival to death.

An eyewitness, who wanted to remain anonymous, said Badji stabbed Kudzo Danyo, 52, a farmer, at a meeting held on Monday April 8, to address pertinent misunderstanding between the deceased and his wife, Madam Brinna.

Badji, who was attending the said meeting without invitation according to sources, was having an amorous affair with the married woman.

The witness said during the encounter the deceased rained insults on his wife, which infuriated Badji leading to a fight with the suspect subsequently drawing a sharp knife to stab the deceased multiple times.

Danyo died on the way to the hospital.

The suspect after the incident fled into the bush wielding a gun and cutlass, the source said.

The eyewitness said the suspect returned to town on Tuesday, April 9 ostensibly to gather some items to escape, but was arrested by the Kadjebi Police.

The suspect is currently in Police custody helping i
n investigation.

Police sources confirmed the incident to GNA when contacted.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Following the devastating Russian attacks on the north-eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited the area, to review the situation.

‘All the conditions for reducing the electricity deficit are being created,’ Zelensky said in a video message on Tuesday. There should be fewer power cuts, he said, adding that work is being done to repair the damage to the grids.

The president accused Russia, of trying to drive people out of the city of over 1 million and the region.

‘Everything that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin touches turns into ruins,’ Zelensky said. However, Kiev will do everything it can to better protect the city from Russian attacks, he added. ‘We have a solution to strengthen the air defence here.’

Zelensky also appealed to international allies to do more to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence – and not just in Kharkiv.

The head of state also inspected the progress made in the construction of defence lines along the Russian border. Fears of a new Russian advan
ce towards Ukraine’s second largest city after Kiev have recently been mounting.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for over two years.

The major city of Kharkiv, which is only around 30 kilometres from the Russian border, was hit particularly hard by Russian attacks in March, especially on its energy infrastructure. At times, Kharkiv was completely without electricity and there were regular power cuts.

Authorities across Ukraine’s regions, from Lviv in the west to Donetsk in the east, reported deaths from Russian drone and missile attacks over the past day. Energy infrastructure was also once again hit.

In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for urgent international efforts to supply more air defence systems, in view of the threat posed by Russia to Kharkiv.

Putin wants to ‘bomb Kharkiv to the ground,’ warned Baerbock. ‘He wants to destroy, he wants to deliberately destroy.’

‘If Russia launches a major offensive there, it would cause immeasurabl
e suffering,’ she said.

Baerbock, speaking at meeting with her Moldovan counterpart, lamented that Germany’s stocks of Patriot air defence systems are ‘pretty much exhausted.’

She said that a fund was being worked on with Ukraine and European partners, to purchase air defence systems from other countries around the world, and deliver them quickly.

She hoped that further information, could be provided at the meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Italy next week.

Reports of civilian deaths in the past 24 hours, highlighted the need for Ukraine to better protect its skies.

Authorities in the central region of Poltava, the northern region of Sumy and the eastern region of Donetsk all announced at least one death in their territory due Russian strikes.

Zaporizhzhya Governor Ivan Fedorov, said the number of civilians killed in his region in strikes on Monday had risen from three to four, with another eight people injured.

In Brussels, the European Commission said Germany, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands are
to soon supply Ukraine with 157 power generators in various sizes.

Another drone attack was reported on Tuesday, in the area of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya.

According to the Russian management of the plant, a training centre next to the power station was hit.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi, said there was no ‘direct threat to nuclear safety’ but called the situation ‘extremely serious.’

On Sunday, the plant was attacked by drones in three places. According to an IAEA report, no serious damage was caused. Nevertheless, the Vienna-based agency categorized the attack as a ‘serious incident’ that had endangered the radiation shielding of a reactor.

The IAEA did not say from which side the nuclear power plant was attacked, but it reported that ‘Russian troops engaged what appeared to be an approaching drone’ on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian public prosecutor’s office said it aware of 54 cases, in which Russian soldiers are alleged to ha
ve shot Ukrainian prisoners of war, stretching back to the early days of the war in March 2022.

A total of 27 criminal proceedings have been initiated, the head of the department responsible for war crimes at the public prosecutor’s office, Yurii Bielousov, wrote on Telegram on Tuesday.

The United Nations has received reports of 12 incidents in which at least 32 Ukrainian prisoners of war were shot dead between the beginning of December last year and the end of February alone. The UN observers were able to verify three cases.

In 2022 and early 2023, however, the shooting of 25 Russian prisoners of war by Ukrainian soldiers was also documented.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Following the devastating Russian attacks on the north-eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited the area, to review the situation.

‘All the conditions for reducing the electricity deficit are being created,’ Zelensky said in a video message on Tuesday. There should be fewer power cuts, he said, adding that work is being done to repair the damage to the grids.

The president accused Russia, of trying to drive people out of the city of over 1 million and the region.

‘Everything that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin touches turns into ruins,’ Zelensky said. However, Kiev will do everything it can to better protect the city from Russian attacks, he added. ‘We have a solution to strengthen the air defence here.’

Zelensky also appealed to international allies to do more to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence – and not just in Kharkiv.

The head of state also inspected the progress made in the construction of defence lines along the Russian border. Fears of a new Russian advan
ce towards Ukraine’s second largest city after Kiev have recently been mounting.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for over two years.

The major city of Kharkiv, which is only around 30 kilometres from the Russian border, was hit particularly hard by Russian attacks in March, especially on its energy infrastructure. At times, Kharkiv was completely without electricity and there were regular power cuts.

Authorities across Ukraine’s regions, from Lviv in the west to Donetsk in the east, reported deaths from Russian drone and missile attacks over the past day. Energy infrastructure was also once again hit.

In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for urgent international efforts to supply more air defence systems, in view of the threat posed by Russia to Kharkiv.

Putin wants to ‘bomb Kharkiv to the ground,’ warned Baerbock. ‘He wants to destroy, he wants to deliberately destroy.’

‘If Russia launches a major offensive there, it would cause immeasurabl
e suffering,’ she said.

Baerbock, speaking at meeting with her Moldovan counterpart, lamented that Germany’s stocks of Patriot air defence systems are ‘pretty much exhausted.’

She said that a fund was being worked on with Ukraine and European partners, to purchase air defence systems from other countries around the world, and deliver them quickly.

She hoped that further information, could be provided at the meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Italy next week.

Reports of civilian deaths in the past 24 hours, highlighted the need for Ukraine to better protect its skies.

Authorities in the central region of Poltava, the northern region of Sumy and the eastern region of Donetsk all announced at least one death in their territory due Russian strikes.

Zaporizhzhya Governor Ivan Fedorov, said the number of civilians killed in his region in strikes on Monday had risen from three to four, with another eight people injured.

In Brussels, the European Commission said Germany, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands are
to soon supply Ukraine with 157 power generators in various sizes.

Another drone attack was reported on Tuesday, in the area of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya.

According to the Russian management of the plant, a training centre next to the power station was hit.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi, said there was no ‘direct threat to nuclear safety’ but called the situation ‘extremely serious.’

On Sunday, the plant was attacked by drones in three places. According to an IAEA report, no serious damage was caused. Nevertheless, the Vienna-based agency categorized the attack as a ‘serious incident’ that had endangered the radiation shielding of a reactor.

The IAEA did not say from which side the nuclear power plant was attacked, but it reported that ‘Russian troops engaged what appeared to be an approaching drone’ on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian public prosecutor’s office said it aware of 54 cases, in which Russian soldiers are alleged to ha
ve shot Ukrainian prisoners of war, stretching back to the early days of the war in March 2022.

A total of 27 criminal proceedings have been initiated, the head of the department responsible for war crimes at the public prosecutor’s office, Yurii Bielousov, wrote on Telegram on Tuesday.

The United Nations has received reports of 12 incidents in which at least 32 Ukrainian prisoners of war were shot dead between the beginning of December last year and the end of February alone. The UN observers were able to verify three cases.

In 2022 and early 2023, however, the shooting of 25 Russian prisoners of war by Ukrainian soldiers was also documented.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Thaddeus Sory, the lawyer for Mr Richard Jakpa, the third accused person in the trial of Dr Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, and former Deputy Minister of Finance, is to call eight witnesses.

The Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe directed the lawyer to endeavour to file all witness statements by April 30, 2024.

The Court also directed that for those whose witness statements would not be filed, their lawyers must ensure that the documents to rely on were filed.

Dr Forson was granted a self-recognisance bail of GHS3 million for allegedly willfully causing financial loss of 2,370,000 euros to the State.

He is also facing an additional charge of ‘intentionally misapplying public property contrary to section 1 (2) of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140).’

Mr Jakpa was granted bail of five million Ghana Cedis with three sureties, one of whom must be justified with documents of landed property.

Justice Asare-Botwe said any document to be tendered by the third accused per
son, who started testifying and was under oath, was to be filed by April 16, 2024.

The case has been adjourned to May 2, 2024.

Source: Ghana News Agency

An Accra Circuit Court has adjourned to May 3, the case of two Prison Officers accused of aiding Wang Xiao, a Chinese convicted prisoner to escape from Nsawam Medium Security Prisons.

The Officers Joseph Oteng and Sergeant Isaac Boateng Bonsu have denied the charges of conspiracy and aiding escape.

The court presided over by Mrs Afia Owusuaa Appiah adjourned the matter to enable the prosecution to file their disclosures.

The correctional officers are currently on GHC 100,000 bail each.

The prosecution led by Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu, earlier told the court that the complainant was the third in Command at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons and the accused were serving under his supervision.

The court heard that on February 7, 2024, at around 0700 hours, the two officers were detailed to escort Xiao, a Chinese national serving a year’s sentence at Nsawam Medium Security Prisons to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for treatment.

The prosecution said after the convict was treated by a medical officer at the
hospital’s Dental Department, the accused agreed to accompany the convict to Oceans Hotel at Korle Gonno to meet his wife for a discussion in exchange for a reward of GHC1,000, which they agreed to split.

According to the prosecution, the accused removed the convict’s handcuff and took him to the hotel reception.

The prosecution said the second accused, Bonsu, informed the receptionist that they were there to see someone in one of the rooms.

Chief Inspector Alorwu said the two officers sent the convict to the room where they met his alleged wife who offered them food and drinks, while she spent some time with the husband in the room.

The prosecution said upon returning to the hotel room to contact the convict, the accused discovered that both the convict and his alleged wife had fled through the balcony.

It said after the convict fled; the accused proceeded to the Tema Station Hockey Pitch to hide the handcuffs with a witness in the case.

They (accused) immediately called their superiors in Nsawam and i
nformed them that when they were escorting the convict from the hospital, they were unexpectedly stopped by a Yellow and black unregistered Toyota Vitz Taxi and the inmate leapt into the taxi and fled with it.

The prosecution said the accused were interrogated by their superiors at the Ghana Prisons Service headquarters, who then submitted a formal complainant to the Police on February 13, 2024.

During investigations, the accused led the Police to the hotel and a review of a CCTV footage revealed that the convict and his alleged wife jumped from the balcony of the first-floor building and fled while the accused were relaxing in the reception area after receiving meals from the convict’s wife.

The prosecutor said it was only when the hotel staff alerted them to check on the prisoner that they realized that they had escaped.

Source: Ghana News Agency