Ghana: Press focuses on deaths from tobacco-related illnesses, others

APA – Accra (Ghana)
The report by the Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, that more than 6,700 Ghanaians die every year due to tobacco-related illnesses is one of the trending stories in the Ghanaian press on Monday.
The Graphic reports that more than 6,700 Ghanaians die every year due to tobacco-related illnesses, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, said.
He said out of the number, 4,422 representing 66 per cent of these deaths were individuals under 70 and about 18 per cent of Ghanaian lives were lost from exposure to secondhand smoke.
Mr Agyeman-Manu said this when he was represented by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Alhaji Adams Hafis at the commemoration of this year’s World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) aimed at raising awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use.
The programme which was on the theme; ‘We need food not Tobacco” was organised under the auspices of the Food and Drugs Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
It was attended by stakeholders from the health sector, students from selected school in Nima and its environs and traditional rulers among others.
He said the extensive use of insecticides and toxic chemicals during tobacco cultivation con-tributes to poor health of many farmers and families.
The Minister said Ghana had taken steps in tobacco control which increase the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products which came in force in January 2022, inclusion of tobacco specific provision in the Public Health Act 2012, passage of the Tobacco Control Regulations 2016(LI).
“The introduction of graphic health warning, continuous en¬forcement of tobacco control 2030 project,” he added.
The newspaper says that Vodafone Ghana has once again demonstrated its commitment to driving positive change in the Ashanti region through its Ashanti Month initiative aimed at supporting businesses, rewarding customer loyalty, and driving sustainable development in the region.
During the period, Vodafone Ghana undertook several activities to foster customer engage-ment. The company’s senior management team made courtesy calls on some customers and held an exclusive dinner for long-standing customers.
Additionally, some of Vodafone’s most loyal customers were hosted at a special dinner with Otumfuo as a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ for their patronage.
The telecom giant’s month-long campaign included sponsorship of the 66th Asantehene Golf Open Championship, which was a mix of sports, customer engagement, and community development.
The Asantehene Golf Open Championship was graced by the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, who performed the ceremonial tee-off.
The tournament, held at the Royal Golf Club in Kumasi, saw a gathering of golf enthusiasts, both amateurs and professionals, vying for glory for over four days.
The grand finale of the tournament was an exquisite royal dinner hosted by the Asantehene. The dinner included a lavish array of foods, melodic music, graceful dancing, and well-earned rewards to the winners of the golf tournament.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in his address, commended Vodafone Ghana for its unwavering support and loyalty.
Patricia Obo-Nai, CEO of Vodafone Ghana, echoed this sentiment in her speech; “Our association with this prestigious tournament continues to strengthen our relationships with our valued clients, customers, and Asanteman,” she remarked.
Vodafone’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives were in full swing during the Ashanti Month.
The Vodafone Ghana Foundation undertook various health and educational activities.
These included Healthfest, a free medical screening programme, donations to the Manhyia District Hospital’s Antenatal Care unit, Homecoming; an initiative that paid the bills for insolvent patients at the same hospital.
The Ghanaian Times also reports that by the end of this year, applicants for information using the Right To Information (RTI) Act can do that digitally, the Minister of Information has said.
In a statement on the floor of Parliament on Friday, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the success-fully developed Online Records Management System (ORMS) would enable applicants apply for information online, aid information officers in keeping accurate records, and improve application response times.
“This unique platform, which has been developed in accordance with Section 18 of the RTI Act, 2019, will not only digitise the application and processing of RTI requests but will also transform records management across public institutions in the country.
“The ORMS is expected to be in full operation by end of year 2023. The Ministry of Informa-tion will provide an update on its operationalisation in our 2023 annual report,” he said.
Other focal areas for the implementation of the Act for the year 2023, Mr Nkrumah said would include the presentation of the Legislative Instrument for the RTI Act, 2019 to Parliament.
“The initial draft has been prepared by the RTI Commission and stakeholder consultations are currently ongoing,” he said.
Field offices, Mr Nkrumah, MP, Ofoase Ayirebi said would be opened in Kumasi and Sunyani this year by the RTI Commission to bring its services closer to the people in those areas.
He said subject to the availability of funds, population of the outstanding 333 public institutions with information officers would be executed with continuous public sensitisation campaigns.
Giving an account of how many requests for information have been received and granted, the minister said out of the 783 requests received, 669, representing 85.44 per cent were approved by the information officers of the various public institutions.
Reasons for the rejection of the 36 requests, he explained was because of exemption and information not in the custody of the public institution.
According to him, 21 of the requests received, representing 2.68 per cent, were transferred to relevant institutions.
The Graphic says that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has extolled the importance of the media in nation-building and called on all stakeholders, especially the state, to support them.
He stated that no institution, including Parliament, could succeed without the role of the media.
The Speaker insisted that media institutions were a priority that every President should hold dear and invest in.
“In practical terms, you are the movers and shakers of politics and development.
There is no doubt about that and it is the reason every President should hold dear and invest in it,” Mr Bagbin said.
He made the assertion during a visit to the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) last Thursday to share his perspectives on the annual Press Freedom Index on Ghana and discuss how the media could partner Parliament to celebrate activities marking the 30th anniversary of parliamentary democracy.
Mr Bagbin also stressed the need for the public media to be protected since they represented the public interest.
“Yes, the private media is important because they have to reflect and prioritise the private interest, but the public media should be protected because of the larger public interest,” the Speaker added.
GIK/APA