The Africa Future Leaders Institute of Global Affairs (AFLIGA) is set to host the inaugural edition of its Thought Leadership Series on Wednesday, August 7, 2025, at its International Secretariat in Accra. 

Themed “Rethinking African Female Leadership Development: Lessons from Indigenous African Leadership Constructed Practices”, the event seeks to spark a continental dialogue on reclaiming and reimagining traditional African leadership models to inform modern leadership development—particularly for women.
Drawing from pre-colonial African systems where women played prominent roles in political and spiritual leadership, the event will critically examine how such indigenous models can inspire culturally authentic, gender-inclusive leadership frameworks today.

Reviving African Leadership traditions
Pre-colonial African societies once boasted diverse leadership systems—ranging from centralised kingdoms to decentralised chiefdoms—many of which integrated women into governance structures. In the Ashanti Empire, for instance, queen mothers not only co-ruled with kings but also selected successors to the throne. Similar examples of female regents and priestesses existed across Nigeria and other parts of the continent.

“Feminine leadership was once integral to African political and spiritual life. Our challenge today is to examine how those indigenous systems can be revitalised and adapted for contemporary governance,” said an AFLIGA spokesperson.
The event comes at a time when women’s representation in African leadership remains disproportionately low. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU, 2025), women hold only 14.5 per cent of parliamentary seats in Ghana—a figure that has remained largely stagnant for a decade. In Kenya, women occupy 23.3 per cent of the National Assembly, still below the one-third constitutional gender quota.

While progress has been made in tertiary education—with South Africa’s 2022 Gender Parity Index indicating a 141:100 female-to-male ratio in enrollment—the gains have not translated into equal leadership roles in politics and corporate governance. Recent data from Boardroom Africa shows that in 2024, women held only 24 per cent of board seats in listed companies in Ghana, a slight decline from the previous year.

Objectives and format
The Thought Leadership Series aims to provide a platform for rethinking leadership development by engaging scholars, traditional leaders, civil society actors, and policymakers in critical reflection.
Key objectives include:
•    Reframing dominant leadership narratives through a gender lens.
•    Showcasing traditional female leadership roles such as queen mothers and spiritual leaders.
•    Developing practical, culturally grounded leadership frameworks for use in institutions, training, and mentorship programmes.
•    Encouraging cross-sector collaboration to influence policy and institutional reform.
The event will feature:
•    A keynote address by a distinguished scholar in indigenous knowledge and leadership.
•    A panel discussion with academics, practitioners, a traditional leader, and a gender policy expert.
•    An interactive dialogue with a curated audience of youth leaders, policymakers, academics, and media professionals.
•    Post-event documentation and dissemination through AFLIGA’s platforms.

Restoring African Agency in leadership development
According to AFLIGA, modern leadership development has been dominated by Eurocentric, hierarchical models that often conflict with Africa’s collectivist cultures. These models tend to marginalise women and ignore community-based leadership traditions rooted in moral authority, relational stewardship, and participatory governance.

“The Ubuntu ethos—grounded in shared responsibility and reconciliation—offers powerful tools for inclusive leadership. It’s time we critically engage and adapt these indigenous systems to today’s realities,” AFLIGA noted.
The initiative seeks to bridge historical insight and modern needs, catalysing a shift from imported leadership paradigms to Afrocentric models that reflect Africa’s cultural, political, and social contexts.

Anticipated outcomes
The inaugural edition is expected to:
•    Raise awareness of indigenous African leadership values that empowered women.
•    Provide critical insights into applying African philosophies such as Ubuntu to leadership training.
•    Document practical case studies and propose new frameworks for gender-responsive leadership.
•    Influence continental policy dialogue through a position paper on culturally grounded leadership development.

About AFLIGA and the Thought Leadership Series
AFLIGA is a pan-African think tank focused on women and youth empowerment. The Thought Leadership Series is a multidisciplinary platform designed to provoke critical thinking and shape strategic responses to Africa’s most pressing leadership and development challenges.

Each edition addresses core themes such as leadership and governance, gender equity, cultural identity, peace and security, and economic transformation. Future sessions will explore topics including youth innovation, continental trade, and indigenous knowledge systems.

By promoting inclusive, resilient, and culturally rooted leadership approaches, AFLIGA aims to contribute to the emergence of a new generation of ethical and competent African leaders.

By Edward Acquah

Accra, Aug. 6, GNA – The Reverend Father Dogli Memorial Technical Institute in the Oti Region has been adjudged the best performing school at the southern sector STEM Plastic Waste Competition for Catholic Senior High Schools in Ghana.

The St. Gregory Senior High School emerged second at a competitive contest in Accra, where the students pitched innovative products made from plastic waste and ideas to address the challenges posed by plastic waste.

The other competing schools were St. Catherine Catholic Girls Senior High School, St. Michael Senior High School, and St. Margaret Mary Senior High Technical School.

Organised by the Catholic Education Unit, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and other partners, the competition created a platform for the students to develop innovative projects to tackle the plastic waste menace.

Among the products presented were plastic greenhouse, bags, baskets, raincoat, flower vase, bricks, umbrella, and materials for interior and exterior decoration.

Dr Joseph Agyapong Darmoe, Programmes Director, KAS, described the innovations as “surprising” and praised their desire to find solution to the plastic waste challenge.

He said the rate at which plastic waste was polluting the ocean was “scary” and challenged the youth to explore innovative ways and create products to help address the issue sustainably.

“We produce an average of 840,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste annually. This is more than the cocoa we produce and that is scary,” he said.

Mr Darmoe touched on the opportunity the contest created to help transform society and expressed confidence that it would ignite interest in finding solution to societal problems.

Mr Francis Batadjan, the General Manager of Catholic Schools, Ghana, said the contest was not just a competition but a “wake up call” to improve the management of plastic waste in the country.

He encouraged the students to explore more innovative ideas and contribute to managing the menace in their communities.

Madam Berthy Buah, Regional STEM Coordinator, Ghana Education Service, said the purpose of STEM education was to empower students to be observant and sensitive to the environment and find solutions to problems.

She said the introduction of STEM in environmental management would engender a sense of ownership among students in protecting the environment.

Plastic waste management is a major challenge in Ghana. Plastics are indiscriminately disposed into drains and water bodies, resulting in perennial floods across the country.

According to the Ghana Plastic Waste Management Policy Document, some 120 companies manufacture over 52,000 tonnes of various plastics and related products per year.

According to the latest report published by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), 88 per cent of marine species were affected by severe contamination of plastic in the ocean.

The burning of plastics, which is a wide-spread activity in Ghana, also releases toxic substances into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.

GNA

Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe

The Western Regional representative on the Council of State, Maxwell Boakye, has extended a compassionate helping hand to little Jayla Queen Fynn in a heartwarming show of community support and generosity.

Mr Boakye has donated GH₵100,000 to fund critical heart surgery for the one-and-a-half-year-old girl at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Jayla, a resident of the Ahanta West Municipality, is battling a congenital heart defect and requires life-saving surgery to repair a hole in her heart.

This timely intervention has brought immense relief to Jayla’s family, offering her a second chance at life.

To further ease the financial burden on her parents, Mr Boakye, affectionately known as Palasco, also provided an additional GH₵10,000 to support the child’s upkeep before and after surgery, including transportation to and from Accra.

His thoughtful gesture is expected to help the family navigate this difficult period with less strain and greater hope.

The presentation ceremony, witnessed by Jayla’s immediate family and the Municipal Chief Executive for Ahanta West, Ing. Ebenezer Kofi Aidoo, was a moment of deep gratitude and encouragement.

While Mr Boakye’s official role as a Council of State member involves offering counsel to the President and other high-ranking public officials, his commitment to charitable causes continues to impact lives in the Western Region.

This laudable initiative is a testament to the power of individual action and the difference one person can make in the lives of others.

President John Mahama has declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, August 7, in honour of the eight Ghanaians who lost their lives in a tragic military helicopter crash today.

In a statement released by the Presidency, all official activities and engagements of the President for the remainder of the week have been suspended.

The Chief of Staff has also directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast until further notice.

“This is a national tragedy,” the statement signed by presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu read, as the country reels from the sudden loss of top government officials and military personnel.

The crash claimed the lives of key public servants, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohamme, NDC Vice-Chair Samuel Sarpong, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, and former MP Samuel Aboagye.

The Ghana Air Force personnel crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The government is calling for a united front as the nation mourns the fallen.

Meanwhile, all eight bodies from the Ghana Air Force helicopter crash are now being transported from the Dampia Range Forest Reserve.

There is a strong security presence at the community, with military and police units deployed to manage the retrieval operation and maintain order.

Numerous vehicles, including ambulances and support units, can be seen leaving the area.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Ghana’s booming luxury vehicle market is facing exploitation by international theft syndicates, authorities reveal, following the high-profile seizure of dancehall artist Shatta Wale’s Lamborghini Urus.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and U.S. investigators confirmed the $150,000 SUV was part of a smuggled batch tied to a convicted Ghanaian fraudster in America, spotlighting systemic vulnerabilities in auto import controls.

According to Criminal Investigations Department (CID) data, 43 stolen premium vehicles were intercepted in Ghana during the first half of 2025. CID Director-General COP Lydia Yaako Donkor described sophisticated laundering tactics: “Elaborate networks use false registrations, cloned VINs, and forged shipping documents. This is now a critical consumer protection issue.”

Analysts attribute Ghana’s attractiveness to thieves to surging demand for luxury models and lax verification in private sales.

Vehicles often stolen from North American or European rental fleets during active leases—are sold below market value to unsuspecting buyers. “Criminals bank on buyers prioritizing price over due diligence,” an anonymous auto dealer noted.

Industry stakeholders are advocating for a centralized verification system, including:

Mandatory international database cross-checks

Enhanced due diligence for high-value imports

Stricter documentation requirements for private sellers

While Shatta Wale’s case drew attention, legal experts stress the broader implications. “This isn’t about one celebrity; it’s a gap endangering all Ghanaian car buyers,” a legal analyst emphasized. EOCO and CID urge the public to scrutinize vehicle histories and report suspicious deals.

ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), Africa’s leading industrial zone developer, has committed significant resources to advance Ghana’s 24-hour economy agenda following high-level talks in Benin.

During a visit to ARISE’s Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) on August 5, Ghana’s delegation led by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and including Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare explored partnerships to replicate Benin’s integrated industrial model.

ARISE IIP Managing Director Létondji Beheton emphasized alignment with Ghana’s goals: “Our zones operate 24/7, and we’ll deploy skills and resources for Ghana’s economic survival.” The GDIZ, hosting 36 investors and 20,000 jobs, aims for 300,000 positions by 2030. Ghana’s planned light industrial parks will prioritize agro-processing, textiles, and packaging, targeting raw material value-addition and export competitiveness within two years.

Trade Minister Ofosu-Adjare expressed strong enthusiasm: “We’ll double Benin’s achievements to make Ghana Africa’s industrial hub.” The collaboration leverages ARISE’s footprint across five African nations and backing from major financiers like Africa Finance Corporation. This partnership accelerates President Mahama’s vision for industrial transformation through public-private synergy.

By Alex Baah Boadi

Sefwi-Wiawso (WN/R), Aug. 6, GNA -Residents of Sefwi-Wiawso, the Western North Regional capital, are in deep shock following the demise of Eight persons, including government officials in a military helicopter crash at Akrofum in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Dwenase market,near Wiawso, some market women and traders said the news came to them as a surprise and they did not believe it and thought it was one of the usual social media pranks until the Presidency through the chief of staff announced it.

According to the residents, the crash is a National Day of sorrow which must not happen to the country again.

They cautioned all and sundry to seek the face of God for divine grace.

Others linked the calamity to the biblical teachings about the end time and called for a introspection and divine favour during these hard times.

“I am devastated and cannot believe this is happening to Ghana”, an emotional trader said.

GNA

Edited by Justina Paaga/Christian Akorlie

President Bola Tinubu extended his deepest condolences to President John Mahama, the government and the people of Ghana following the helicopter crash that occurred in the country on Wednesday.

The tragic incident was reported to have claimed the lives of Edward Omane Boamah, the Defence Minister, Ibrahim Muhammad Environment Minister and six others.

Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Spokesman, said in a statement, President Tinubu also assured President Mahama and all Ghanaians that the thoughts and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria are with them during this time of profound national loss.

Read also: Helicopter crash kills two Ghanaian ministers, six others 

The President urges the Ghanaian nation and the bereaved families and friends to find comfort in the knowledge that their loved ones died in the line of patriotic service to the country.

He prays for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and strength for those left behind.

Media reports showed that the Ghanaian Armed Forces had reportedly raised alarm over one air force helicopter that had fallen off radar after taking off from Accra shortly after 9:00 am.

The incident occured on their way to the town of Obuasi, in northwest of Accra, the Ghanian capital.

The helicopter was carrying three crew and five passengers on aboard.

It was also reported that Muniru Mohammed, Ghana’s deputy national security coordinator and former agriculture minister, was among the dead, along with Samuel Sarpong, vice chairman of Mahama’s National Democratic Congress party.

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed profound sorrow over the deaths of eight individuals in a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6.

The tragic incident claimed the lives of several high-profile government officials and military personnel, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, the former President described the crash as a national tragedy that has left the country “profoundly shocked and saddened.”

“I have spoken and extended my deepest condolences to the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, and to Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, Chairman of the NDC,” Akufo-Addo stated.

He also extended sympathies to the Ghana Air Force and the families of all the victims, acknowledging the sacrifices of the fallen military personnel.

“I console with our gallant men of the Ghana Air Force at this concerning time and salute their indispensable role in the public life of our country,” he said.

Akufo-Addo concluded his message with a prayer: “May they find peaceful rest in the Bosom of the Almighty, until the Last Day of the Resurrection, when we shall all meet again.”

The government has since directed all national flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

Bawumia mourns victims of military helicopter crash

Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia also expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of eight individuals in the tragic military helicopter crash.

In a statement, Dr. Bawumia said he had personally conveyed his condolences to President John Dramani Mahama following the devastating news.

“A while ago, I communicated to the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, my deepest condolences following the heart-wrenching news of the loss of two of our nation’s Ministers and six others in a helicopter crash earlier today,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia described the victims as men who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation, noting the widespread grief the tragedy has brought.

“The fallen men paid the ultimate price in the service of our motherland, leaving a shocked nation in pain. I know most of the deceased personally and equally feel a sense of loss to see their demise under such horrid circumstances,” he stated.

He added that he, along with his wife Samira, the Bawumia family, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stand in solidarity with the nation during this time of mourning.

“May the good Lord grant the bereaved families, the Government, and people of Ghana strength and healing in this time of tragedy,” he concluded.

Read below the statement by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

A while ago, I communicated to the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, my deepest condolences following the heart-wrenching news of the loss of two of our nation’s Ministers and six others in a helicopter crash earlier today.

The fallen men paid the ultimate price in the service of our motherland leaving a shocked nation in pain.
I know most of the deceased personally and equally feel a sense of loss to see their demise under such horrid circumstances.

Samira, I, the Bawumia family, and the NPP join the nation in mourning them. May the good Lord grant the bereaved families, the Government and people of Ghana strength and healing in this time of tragedy.”

Ghana’s transition to a circular economy could dramatically curb youth unemployment while advancing sustainability, according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

Eric Gyenin, UNIDO’s Country Coordinator, positioned the Ghana Circular Economy Centre (GCEC) Project as pivotal to this shift, targeting agriculture, textiles, and plastics sectors.

The five-year GCEC initiative will establish a physical hub anchored by five pillars: a dedicated circular economy center, skills training for youth and women, technical support for circular businesses, financing access, and networking platforms. “This transcends environmental management; it’s economic opportunity,” Gyenin stated. By reintegrating waste into production cycles, the model promises job creation across value chains and supports inclusive, low-carbon industrialization.

With youth unemployment exceeding 20%, the project aligns with Ghana’s development needs. Gyenin linked it to the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy, arguing continuous production demands resource efficiency and innovation inherent to circular systems. “Recycling and reuse enable non-stop economic activity,” he noted, urging private-sector engagement.

The GCEC aims to embed circular practices into national planning, unlock green investment, and generate sustainable jobs. Gyenin called for broader stakeholder awareness, framing the shift as an “economic revolution” with community upliftment potential.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has extended his heartfelt condolences to President John Mahama, the government, and people of Ghana following the fatal helicopter crash on August 6, which claimed the lives of Ghana’s Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and six others

In an official statement delivered by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed profound sympathy, affirming that the thoughts and prayers of the Nigerian government and people are with Ghana during this period of national grief.

Tinubu emphasised that the victims perished in the line of patriotic duty and urged Ghanaians, especially bereaved families, to find solace in honouring their sacrifice. He prayed for eternal peace for the departed and strength for those left behind.

The tragic crash involved a Ghana Armed Forces Z‑9 helicopter carrying three crew members and five passengers, all of whom lost their lives.

The accident occurred while the aircraft was flying from Accra to Obuasi on government assignment, following loss of radar contact shortly after takeoff.

In response to the incident, Ghanaian authorities under President Mahama ordered national flags to fly at half‑mast, and official engagements were suspended as the nation mourned its loss.

President Tinubu’s message further reiterated Nigeria’s solidarity with Ghana, offering support and shared grief during this devastating moment.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Sierra Leone Telegraph: 6 August 2025:

A tragic military helicopter crash in the central Ashanti region of Ghana has claimed the lives of the country’s ministers of defence and environment, along with six other people. It is not yet clear what may have caused the crash.

It is reported that Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed died in the crash.

Ghana’s Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister Alhaji Muniru Mohammed was also among the dead, along with Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress party.

The helicopter crew members have been named as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

Ghana’s Armed Forces had earlier reported that the Z9 helicopter, which was carrying three crew and five passengers, had gone “off the radar”.

The military helicopter is said to have taken off from the capital, Accra, at 09:12 local time and was heading to the town of Obuasi for an event to tackle illegal mining.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to President John Dramani Mahama (Photo), the Government and people of Ghana, and the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in this national tragedy.

The statement reads: “The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has learned with deep sorrow of the tragic helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region of the Republic of Ghana, which claimed the lives of eight people, including Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Hon. Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.

“The Chairperson conveys his heartfelt condolences to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the Government and people of Ghana, and the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in this national tragedy. He also expresses his solidarity with the Ghana Armed Forces and the ruling National Democratic Congress during this difficult time.

“The African Union stands in full solidarity with Ghana in mourning this profound loss. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace,” Mr. Youssouf stated.

President Bio of Sierra Leone (Photo) who is also the ECOWAS Chairman said: “I am deeply saddened to hear about the tragic helicopter crash in Ghana that has taken the lives of the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Environment, and the entire crew.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to His Excellency President Mahama, and the people of Ghana during this incredibly difficult time. Please know that the people of Sierra Leone stand in solidarity with you as you mourn this profound loss. We are with you in your grief.”

Related

Dr Andrews Osei Okrah is the Chief Executive Officer of TCDA

The Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) in a bold move to propel economic growth has set an ambitious target of generating $16 billion in revenue by 2028, focusing on six strategic tree crops that promise significant economic potential.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of TCDA, Dr Andrews Osei Okrah, an existing strategy on the potential of each crop’s revenue generation is $2 billion annually, therefore the 2028 target is achievable.

Dr Okrah indicated that the six crops represent a powerful engine for economic growth, rural development and export diversification.

“By 2028, we aim to generate significant exchange revenue of $16 billion. If we consider the potential of six key crops, we can project that with adequate investment today, we could achieve on average $2 billion annually from each crop. When we multiply that by six, we are looking at a total of $12 billion,” he said.

Speaking at the Center for Applied Research and Innovation in Supply Chain-Africa’s (CARISCA) supply chain forum and exhibition in Accra, the CEO mentioned that the future of Ghana’s tree crop supply chain landscape will not be complete without highlighting the central and the transformative role of the Tree Crop Development Authority.

He added that the strength of tree crop supply chains will determine how inclusive, competitive and sustainable the future will be.

“The ability to effectively finance the potential of Ghana’s tree crop sector depends on appreciating the supply chain landscape in full complexity. The tree crop value chain is not linear. It is a vibrant and multi stakeholder ecosystem with several interdependent roles.”

Established through a 2019 parliamentary act, the TCDA is responsible for developing and coordinating cashew, oil palm, rubber, coconut, mango, and shea. He noted that the Authority is more than a regulatory body but a strategic anchor in a new era in agricultural industrialisation.

The sector primarily relies on smallholder farmers managing less than two hectares of land, forming the backbone of a complex agricultural value chain that includes input suppliers, aggregators, processors, and exporters.

With all the steps being taken by the Authority to drive growth and development, Dr Okrah highlighted some key challenges within the sector which he calls for stakeholders within the value chain to contribute towards resolving those hurdles.

Key among the challenges facing the sector include extensive infrastructure deficits, limited access to financial resources, post-harvest losses, inadequate transportation and storage facilities, among others

Currently, the TCDA is collaborating with the World Bank on a development project aimed at increasing productivity in coconut, rubber, and cashew production. The authority is also working to streamline business licensing, promote investments, and facilitate private sector participation.

The TCDA emphasizes a comprehensive approach to agricultural development, calling on stakeholders to “think big” and consider large-scale investments similar to successful agricultural transformations in countries like Malaysia.

Residents in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have expressed worry about the recent report by the Ghana Health Service about the recent report of surge in HIV/AIDS cases recorded in the Municipality with 27 new infections reported in 2024.

According to the data available to the Ghana News Agency, a total of 756 people were living with HIV in the Municipality with 185 males, 527 females, and 44 children affected.

Out of the total number of affected patients, 253 people were identified as not on any current treatment, which many described as a public health threat to the Municipality.

Madam Dora Kugbonu, the Public Health Promotion Officer at the Keta Municipal Health Directorate, revealed that HIV (Immunodeficiency Virus) was a viral infection that attacks the immune system of the human body.

“The primary cause of HIV/AIDS is the transmission of the virus through bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk,” she said.

She said that if one is left untreated, HIV could progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), which could result in a life-threatening condition and could have severe physical, emotional, social consequences and death.

She explained that some effects of the virus were weak immune system which could increase risk of opportunistic infections, stigma and discrimination, emotional distress and mental health issues.

“The HIV is normally cause by having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing needles or syringes with an infected person, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding and blood transfusions from an infected donor and others”

Madam Kugbonu outline preventive methods which include practicing safe sex (using condoms) getting tested for HIV regularly, avoiding sharing needles or syringes, using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as needed, ensuring safe blood transfusions, among others.

She explained that HIV could affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, or background while certain groups such as young people (15-24 years old), Sex workers, men who have sex with men (gays), people who inject drugs, people living in areas with high HIV prevalence would be disproportionately affected.

Meanwhile, the recent surge in HIV cases in Keta Municipality has sparked concern among the public with many demanding for increased awareness and education on HIV prevention and treatment methods which were important needs for targeted interventions to address the epidemic, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Mr. Dela Simon Kwakuvi, a resident of Keta told the Ghana News Agency, that the HIV epidemic reported in Keta Municipality was a pressing public health concern that required a comprehensive response.

He appealed to health workers to create awareness for the public to understand the causes, effects, symptoms and modes of transmission to prevent new infections and as well as provide support to those living with HIV.

He said that it was essential to promote awareness, education, and access to HIV testing and treatment services to combat the epidemic to alleviate the fear and stigma among the public.

Source: GNA