GHANAIAN TIMES

"Snakes invade clinic...They multiply in maternity ward", is the horrifying headline on the front page of the Times. The story says snakes, in their numbers, have invaded the health post at Hlefi in the Ho District of the Volta Region. The Times says the reptiles were attracted to the health post by a multitude of bats which hang on the roofs of the building. According to the paper, it is common these days to see the snakes crawling into the maternity room, the compound and other units in day light. The Times says as a result, there is now virtually no patronage at the clinic. The sick find it safer staying at home than seeking medical attention at the health post. GRI

In another front page story, the Times reports that the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation (GWSC) has called for the intervention of the military to prevent settlers from further polluting the Weija Lake in Accra. The paper says the quality of the water in the Weija reservoir is fast deteriorating as a result of bad fishing practices by fishermen and other farming methods used within the catchment areas. According to the Times, the situation has compelled with GWSC to spend at least three million cedis a day on chemicals to purify the water for human consumption. GRI

In a back page story headlined: "Govt. team accesses food crisis in UE", the Times says following reports about food insecurity in the Upper East Region, a six-member government delegation is in the region to access the situation. The paper says the delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, visited the six districts and interacted with farmers, opinion leaders, chiefs and elders. Briefing newsmen later after the tour, Mr. Nketia said the food shortage is real and that efforts will be made to address it. He said apart from inadequate rainfall and drought, the invasion of some farms by elephants in Bawku West and Bolgatanga districts has also aggravated the situation. GRI