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Upgrade Ambulance Training Model to Save Lives – Lambussie MP Beyuo Kofi Titus Urges

By
Ivy Hollys
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Beyuo Titus on ambulance personnel upgrade

Member of Parliament for Lambussie, Beyuo Kofi Titus, has called for an urgent upgrade of Ghana’s ambulance service model and the training of its personnel following the tragic death of Charles Amissah.

Contributing to discussions on the floor of Parliament on the incident, the Lambussie MP argued that beyond hospital-level failures, the current operational model of the National Ambulance Service must be reviewed to improve survival rates in emergency situations.

“Scoop and run” model must be reviewed

According to Beyuo Kofi Titus, the existing ambulance model largely operates on a “scoop and run” basis, where emergency responders pick up patients from accident scenes and rush them to hospitals without administering certain basic life-saving interventions in transit.

He explained that under the current structure, ambulance personnel are limited in the level of care they can provide before reaching a medical facility.

“At an accident scene, they can pick you up, but they cannot even set a simple IV line to give you fluid,” he stated.

The MP argued that in critical trauma cases, the ability to administer intravenous fluids while transporting a patient could mean the difference between life and death.

Falling blood pressure highlights need for paramedic upgrades

Referencing the death of Charles Amissah, Beyuo Kofi Titus noted that the patient’s blood pressure significantly dropped while being transported between hospitals.

He explained that although the patient’s blood pressure was initially stable, it later declined to 84/56 while in the ambulance—a level he described as dangerously low and indicative of a patient “just about dying.”

He suggested that if ambulance professionals were trained and equipped to insert an IV line and administer normal saline during transit, the patient’s chances of survival could have improved.

“If they could at least set a line and run some fluid in transit, a lot of patients would survive,” he stressed.

The Lambussie MP therefore called for the current model to be changed and for ambulance personnel to receive upgraded training, including the development of specialized paramedics capable of providing basic but critical pre-hospital care.

While advocating for structural and training reforms, Beyuo Kofi Titus said the deeper challenge confronting the health system is attitude.

“All of this will not change if the attitude does not change,” he cautioned.

He appealed directly to health professionals across the country to treat every emergency patient with urgency and empathy.

The MP emphasised that emergency care should not depend on influence or connections. 

He maintained that upgrading ambulance training, expanding paramedic capabilities, and addressing attitudes within healthcare facilities are necessary steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Human life cannot be subordinate to administrative convenience – Afenyo Markin

By
Ivy Hollys
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afenyo markin on charles amissah death

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has declared that human life cannot be subordinated to administrative convenience following the death of a 29-year-old accident victim who was reportedly turned away from three hospitals in Accra.

Speaking in Parliament on February 24, 2026, Afenyo Markin described the incident as a catastrophic failure of the healthcare system and called for urgent parliamentary oversight.

According to Afenyo Markin, the accident victim was rushed to the Police Hospital, the Ridge Hospital, and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital but was rejected at each facility due to claims that no beds were available.

He stated that at none of the hospitals was triage conducted, and at none were the patient’s vital signs taken.

For approximately 30 minutes, the victim remained in the ambulance as attempts were made to secure a bed. He eventually went into cardiac arrest. Despite CPR efforts by the ambulance crew, he was pronounced dead.

“A life extinguished, not by the initial accident, but by a systemic failure of the state,” Afenyo Markin told the House.

2018 Ghana Health Service directive cited

The minority leader referenced a 2018 directive issued under the leadership of the then Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, which explicitly prohibited the denial of emergency care on the basis of bed availability.

The directive mandated immediate triage and stabilization of emergency patients, even if alternative surfaces such as couches, tables, or wheelchairs had to be used when beds were unavailable.

“The principle was and remains simple: stabilize first, resolve bed logistics later,” Afenyo Markin stressed.

He questioned whether that directive had been breached and insisted that accountability must follow if negligence or professional misconduct is established.

Parliamentary oversight demanded

While acknowledging reports that the Ministry and the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HEFRA) have initiated investigations, Afenyo Markin maintained that executive inquiries cannot replace parliamentary oversight under Article 103 of the 1992 Constitution.

He called on the Health Committee of Parliament to:

  1. Summon the Chief Executive Officers and Heads of Emergency Units of the three hospitals involved.
  2. Demand triage logs, duty rosters, and bed occupancy records for the night in question.
  3. Establish whether the 2018 Ghana Health Service directive was breached.
  4. Determine whether professional misconduct or negligence occurred.

He stated that sanctions must follow misconduct, prosecution must follow negligence, and comprehensive reforms must follow if systemic failures are uncovered.

Afenyo Markin warned that if a young man can be transported from one public hospital to another and be refused care until he dies, then no Ghanaian is safe.

“Not the rich, nor the poor, nor the politician, nor the ordinary man on the streets,” he said.

He reiterated that emergency care cannot be treated as optional and that hospitals have neither the moral nor legal discretion to abandon critically ill patients.

“The death must force this nation to change. Human life cannot be subordinated to administrative convenience,” Afenyo Markin submitted.

Justice for Charles Amissah: Afenyo Markin calls on Ghana Police Service to deploy resources to find hit-and-run driver

By
Ivy Hollys
-
afenyo markin on charles amissah death

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called on the Ghana Police Service to deploy every available resource to track down the hit-and-run driver responsible for the accident that led to the death of Charles Amissah.

Addressing Parliament on Monday, February 24, 2026, Afenyo Markin described the circumstances surrounding the death of Charles Amissah as both tragic and unacceptable, insisting that justice must be pursued without delay.

Charles Amissah dies after hit-and-run accident at Circle Overpass

Charles Amissah, a 29-year-old employee of Promasidol Ghana Limited, was involved in a hit-and-run accident at the Circle Overpass on February 6, 2026.

At 10:32 pm, an emergency call was placed. By 10:33 pm, Ambulance 15 had mobilized, and at 10:35 pm, the team arrived at the scene. Paramedics found Charles Amissah bleeding heavily but still alive. According to the minority leader, Charles’ vital signs were recorded as follows: blood pressure of 120/90, pulse rate of 100 beats per minute, and oxygen saturation of 99 percent.

“These were the vital signs of a living man, a man with a fighting chance,” Afenyo Markin stated.

The ambulance crew stabilized him, controlled the hemorrhage, and transported him to seek urgent medical care.

Afenyo Markin demands justice for Charles Amissah

While holding public institutions accountable, Afenyo Markin stressed that the tragic chain of events began with a “cowardly act” by a driver who struck Charles Amissah and fled the scene.

He urged the Ghana Police Service to use “every investigative technique and intelligence capability” to identify and apprehend the suspect.

“Justice for Charles demands that the person whose reckless actions precipitated this nightmare be found and made to answer fully before the law,” he said.

The minority leader emphasized that the long arm of the Ghanaian state must not rest until the driver is brought to book.

Afenyo Markin extended heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Charles Amissah, stating that although Parliament cannot bring him back, it must not remain unmoved by such a tragedy.

He urged Members of Parliament to treat the matter as one of national importance rather than partisan debate.

“This is not about the NDC nor the NPP. This transcends political advantage. This is about a young Ghanaian citizen who should, by every moral and legal right, be alive today,” he stated.

The death of Charles Amissah, he said, must not be allowed to fade into silence, especially when the driver responsible remains at large.

Youssou Diouf dies after collapsing during Senegal second division match

By
Ivy Hollys
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Youssou Diouf

Youssou Diouf has died after collapsing during a Senegal second division match between AS Saloum and Amitié FC at the Stade Maniang Soumaré.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, February 22, during the 16th matchday of the Senegalese League, casting a shadow over the competition.

According to reports from local media outlet Wiwsport, Youssou Diouf suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after the final whistle of the game, which ended in a goalless draw.

Youssou Diouf was making his debut appearance for AS Saloum in the encounter. The forward started the match on the bench and was introduced into the game with about ten minutes remaining.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that there were no visible signs of distress during play. However, immediately after the final whistle, Youssou Diouf reportedly felt unwell and collapsed on the pitch.

Medical personnel quickly attended to the young striker, but despite efforts to revive him, Youssou Diouf was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sudden death of Youssou Diouf has sent shockwaves through the Senegalese football community, with fans and clubs expressing grief over the loss.

The tragedy has also revived memories of a similar incident last season involving Fadiouf Ndiaye, captain of Union Sportive de Ouakam, who collapsed during a league match due to a sudden illness and later passed away.

Richard Appiah sentenced to life imprisonment

By
Ivy Hollys
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Richard Appiah

Richard Appiah has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court in Accra after a seven-member jury unanimously found him guilty on two counts of murder in the Abesim killings.

The court delivered the sentence following the jury’s verdict against the footballer who was accused of murdering two children aged 12 and 15 in Abesim in the Bono Region in 2021.

The trial, which began in 2024, was presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey at the High Court in Accra. Committal proceedings in the case had earlier commenced at a District Court in 2021.

The seven-member jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict against Richard Appiah on both counts of murder. Under Ghana’s criminal law, a conviction for murder requires proof that the accused caused unlawful harm to the deceased, that the harm led to death, and that the act was committed with intent.

In its case, the prosecution argued that all elements of the offense had been established beyond reasonable doubt.

Defence argues mental disorder

Counsel for Richard Appiah, Faustinus Yirilabuo, urged the jury to return a verdict of guilty but insane. He admitted that his client committed the act but argued that Richard Appiah did not understand the nature and consequences of his actions at the time due to a mental disorder.

The defense told the court that prior to the murders, Richard Appiah had exhibited unusual behavior and suffered from schizophrenia. Counsel further argued that at the time of the offense, his client was hallucinating and believed he was being instructed by a spirit to commit the crime or risk death.

However, the prosecution, led by Assistant State Attorney Nana Ama Adinkra, rejected the insanity defense. The prosecution maintained that Richard Appiah was lucid and fully aware of his actions when the crime was committed.

On the issue of intent, the prosecution told the court that Richard Appiah attempted to conceal evidence after the murders, including disposing of parts of the victims’ bodies and hiding items that could link him to the crime. According to the prosecution, these actions demonstrated that he understood the consequences of his conduct.

Following the unanimous guilty verdict, the High Court sentenced Richard Appiah to life imprisonment.

24-Hour Economy Authority Bill is unsustainable and inadequately planned – Ibrahim Adjei

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Ibrahim Adjei

The Resident Country Director of International Investments LLC, Ibrahim Adjei, has described the government’s decision to sign the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill into law as unsustainable and inadequately planned.

According to him, the government rushed the legislation without putting in place the critical structures needed for a safe and effective rollout.

He pointed out gaps in the country’s security preparedness and power supply that were likely to undermine the policy’s effectiveness.

In an interview today, Monday, January 23, 2026, Ibrahim Adjei emphasised that a stable and reliable electricity supply is fundamental to any functioning 24-hour economy, stressing that Ghana’s current power reserve margin is insufficient to sustain round-the-clock operations.

“Under the NPP, we had a reserve margin of 28 to 31%, and that was maintained for emergencies. Under the NDC, as of February 2026, that reserve margin is 9.2%. There is no power to sustain this so-called 24-hour economy that we are talking about. The policy is flawed because you need reliable electricity and an adequate nighttime police presence,” he said.

He described the policy as “deceptive” and poorly thought through, and warned that without a comprehensive, holistic implementation strategy, the initiative could collapse and undermine public confidence in economic reforms.

President John Dramani Mahama assented to the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill on  February 16, 2026, opening the path to full scale implemetation.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

Government introduces ban on land transit of cooking oil consignments

By
Ivy Hollys
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revenue leakage: cooking oil saga

The government has announced a nationwide ban on the transit of commercial quantities of cooking oil through Ghana’s land borders, directing that all such consignments must be routed exclusively through the country’s seaports.

The directive was issued by the Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, following the interception of eighteen articulated trucks declared for transit to Niger but suspected to be part of a wider transit diversion scheme.

Under the new policy, consignments of cooking oil entering Ghana for onward transit to landlocked countries will no longer be permitted to move through land border collection points.

Instead, all affected cargo must be processed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports, where stricter valuation systems, electronic tracking, scanning infrastructure, and layered customs controls are operational.

The decision followed recent inspection visits by the Minister of Finance, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, George Kwasi Sarpong, and other senior customs officials.

The team visited key land borders in the Ketu South Municipality and the Ketu North District as part of efforts to close weaknesses within the transit regime.

In addition to the ban on land transit of cooking oil in commercial quantities, the Minister of Finance has directed the Ghana Revenue Authority to introduce enhanced monitoring and strict compliance enforcement for all transactions originating from land collection points.

MTN to invest 1.1Bn to accelerate digital and financial inclusion

By
Ivy Hollys
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MTN Ghana

MTN Group has reaffirmed the strategic importance of Ghana within its global operations, announcing a 1.1 billion dollar investment over the next three years to accelerate digital and financial inclusion.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, said the investment will prioritise digital infrastructure expansion, improved quality of service, and deeper broadband coverage across the country.

Speaking during a media engagement in Accra, Mr. Mupita revealed that MTN currently operates about five thousand telecommunications sites nationwide and will deploy an additional five hundred sites this year.

He said Ghana has become one of the Group’s strongest and most promising markets, driven by consistent performance and long-term growth prospects, and announced that MTN Ghana will, from this year, be recognized as the Group’s third major subsidiary.

He said, up until the end of last year, MTN had two major subsidiaries within the context of the MTN Group across all markets serving the 300 million plus customers. This year, he mentioned they are adding Ghana as the third major subsidiary for the whole group, purely as a function of the way it has performed and the potential that we see going forward.

The Group’s two other major subsidiaries are in South Africa and Nigeria.

Mr. Mupita also disclosed that MTN Ghana emerged as the best-performing operation across all MTN markets in 2025 under the company’s internal Million Dollar Challenge.

During his visit, the MTN Group Chief Executive also held discussions with the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam George, focusing on network performance improvements and the possible release of 5G spectrum to strengthen home and enterprise connectivity.

Dr. Charles Aprey warns how unhealthy foods are fueling disease risk in Ghana

By
Ivy Hollys
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Dr. Charles Aprey on unhealthy foods

Dr. Charles Aprey has raised concerns about the growing consumption of unhealthy foods in Ghana and its impact on disease risk.

Speaking on Orange Sunrise, the senior lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a nutritionist at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, explained that research consistently shows that disposable income significantly influences food choices. According to him, what people earn often determines what ends up on their plates.

Dr. Charles Aprey noted that in many developed countries, higher income levels are linked to healthier eating habits, including increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, the situation appears different in most developing countries, including Ghana.

He revealed that as incomes rise, many people tend to shift toward convenience options rather than balanced diets. These convenience meals, commonly referred to as fast foods or ready-to-eat meals, require little preparation and are easily accessible. Unfortunately, many of these options fall into the category of unhealthy foods.

According to Dr. Charles Aprey, while one would expect improved income levels to encourage healthier lifestyles, the opposite is often observed. As people earn more, they sometimes consume more unhealthy foods instead of investing in nutritious alternatives.

The nutritionist also challenged the long-held belief that unhealthy eating is limited to affluent groups. Dr. Charles Aprey explained that even individuals in lower-income brackets now have access to unhealthy foods. Small kiosks in both urban and rural communities stock processed and ready-made products sourced from larger commercial centres, making unhealthy foods widely available across the country.

Dr. Charles Aprey further pointed out that unhealthy foods are often cheaper and more attractive to consumers, which increases their demand. He stressed that price plays a major role in influencing dietary decisions.

To address the growing reliance on unhealthy foods, Dr. Charles Aprey recommended policy interventions. He suggested that governments can make healthier options more affordable by introducing subsidies and incentives for fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods. At the same time, authorities can discourage the consumption of unhealthy foods by imposing taxes and regulatory measures.

He explained that narrowing the price gap between healthy and unhealthy foods could encourage more people to choose balanced diets, ultimately reducing the risk of communicable and diet-related diseases.

Officers who aid importers to defraud Ghana will be dealt with – Deputy Finance Minister

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-
Thomas Nyarko Ampem

In a concerning development, 18 articulated vehicles have been intercepted by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) over suspicions of irregularities at the Akanu and Aflao borders.

The vehicles were allegedly moving without the mandatory customs human escort with consignments that are estimated to represent potential lost revenue of GH¢85.3 million, with an initial assessment pegged at GH¢2.62 million.

Speaking on the issue, Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has accused some officers within the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) of colluding with importers to undervalue goods, resulting in significant revenue losses to the state.

The deputy finance minister said the menace of customs officers aiding importers to manipulate declarations has been a longstanding concern.

He revealed that although customs procedures mandate that officers escort transit goods across the country, the two officers assigned to accompany the trucks were absent at the time of interception.

“The customs have been tracking them. I have seen a letter that one of the officers wrote to the Aflao border, not to allow those goods to come in. This means that it is something that has been happening and they have been monitoring it for a while,” he revealed.

Mr Nyarko Ampem also pointed out that while many officers act professionally, others within the system collaborate with importers to defraud the nation through practices such as undervaluation and diversion of goods.

“There are some bad nuts in customs who are aiding importers to defraud the nation. So, when the good ones realised it, they decided to act,” he stated.

The Deputy Minister reiterated the government‘s determination to clamp down on revenue leakages at the borders, particularly practices involving under-declaration and undervaluation of imports, which undermine domestic revenue mobilisation efforts.

He stressed that any officers found culpable will face the full rigours of the law as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening customs enforcement and safeguarding national revenue.

The trucks were declared to be in transit to Niger, and were carrying assorted goods including cooking oil, spaghetti and tomato paste.

By: Janice Opoku-Agyemang

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