
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the government to urgently operationalize several completed health facilities in the Ashanti Region to reduce pressure on the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital KATH. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Ranking Member on Parliament's Health Committee, stated that congestion and bed shortages at KATH are due to delays in bringing key hospitals into full operation. The Minority highlighted the Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua, the Afari Military Hospital, the Trede District Hospital, and the Kokoben-Oforikrom District Hospital as facilities intended to ease KATH's burden. They noted that the 500-bed Afari Military Hospital was operationalized and the 250-bed Ashanti Regional Hospital at Sewua was substantially completed under the previous administration. The caucus expressed difficulty understanding why the government would suspend a hospital CEO rather than accelerate the full operationalization of these facilities. They also pointed out that the 100-bed Trede and Kokoben-Oforikrom district hospitals, commissioned in 2024, remain largely non-operational. The Minority argued that these delays have worsened pressure on KATH and contributed to the "No Bed Syndrome," urging the government to immediately operationalize all completed hospitals and address systemic challenges identified by healthcare professionals.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadMustapha Gbande, Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, has refuted claims that President John Dramani Mahama has decided against seeking a third term. Gbande stated that no such decision has been communicated to the National Democratic Congress NDC, emphasizing that major party decisions are made internally. He questioned where President Mahama was reported to have made such statements, asserting that the President operates within the party's framework. Gbande highlighted that President Mahama was elected through the NDC and that the party would be integral to any decision regarding a potential third-term bid, noting that the President works closely with the party on significant matters. Meanwhile, President Mahama has stated that Ghanaians gave him a mandate for one additional term, and he remains focused on fulfilling his promises. Speaking at Ho Technical University, President Mahama acknowledged that some individuals have sought Supreme Court clarification on the constitutional clause regarding presidential tenure, but he believes the provision is clear. He reiterated that his priority is to deliver on the trust placed in him by Ghanaians.
Must ReadFormer President of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, expressed concern over the high rate of maternal mortality in Africa during a keynote address at the High-Level Interactive Policy Dialogue in Accra. He noted that nearly 70% of the 260,000 global maternal deaths annually occur on the African continent, despite advancements in health technology. Kikwete attributed this to implementation failures rather than a lack of scientific knowledge. He cited Tanzania's success in reducing maternal deaths from 500 to 104 per 100,000 live births through proper implementation of solutions, nearing the SDG target of fewer than 70 by 2030. He also urged African nations to increase domestic financing for health needs, emphasizing that reliance on external aid is unsustainable, especially given the lessons from the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The dialogue, co-convened by the African Renaissance Trust and the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation, aimed to discuss sustainable health financing, accountability, and innovation, ahead of the AU Extraordinary Session on Health.
Must ReadDeputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai has clarified that the conviction of Benard Antwi Bosiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party NPP, in an illegal mining case was based on his own statements, police records, and witness testimonies. Speaking on TV3 on July 22, 2026, Dr. Srem-Sai expressed surprise at claims that the conviction was politically motivated, noting that much of the evidence relied upon by the court came from the defense itself. He suggested that reactions labeling the case as political persecution were expected in politically charged situations. Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years in prison by an Accra High Court for illegal mining offenses involving Akonta Mining Limited. The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, found him guilty on six counts, including assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval and facilitating mining operations without a license. He was also fined GH垄120,000, with a default sentence of three years' imprisonment. The NPP has announced its intention to appeal the ruling.