A very sad & pathetic country. There's no hope for Ghana when you have uncaring people working in healthcare & heartless & greedy people leading the nation.
A very sad & pathetic country. There's no hope for Ghana when you have uncaring people working in healthcare & heartless & greedy people leading the nation.
Fernando 10 years ago
No wonder people will even kill to enable them become MPs.We are silently courting another revolution if these politicians continue to treat us this way..
No wonder people will even kill to enable them become MPs.We are silently courting another revolution if these politicians continue to treat us this way..
manchester 10 years ago
DO HESE POLITICIANS CARE? ABSOLUTELY NO. WHEN THEY GET SICK STRAIGHT TO ABROAD FOR TREATMENT.
DO HESE POLITICIANS CARE? ABSOLUTELY NO. WHEN THEY GET SICK STRAIGHT TO ABROAD FOR TREATMENT.
kofi 10 years ago
we have reduced ourselves to stupid tribalism when issues of politics and governance come up...instead of looking to question leadership on these things, all we do is whether some one is an akan or not pr whether he is npp or ... read full comment
we have reduced ourselves to stupid tribalism when issues of politics and governance come up...instead of looking to question leadership on these things, all we do is whether some one is an akan or not pr whether he is npp or ndc and so our politicians get away with murder right on our door steps....look at the commitment of leadership to our welfare and there is nothing to write home about...WHEN BETTYMOULD DOLES OUT HUGE MONEY TO CRONIES AND CRIMINALS IN FAKE AND BOGUS JUDGEMENT DEBTS WE NEED TO GET ANGRY...WHEN SMALL BOY ABLAKWA OKUDZETO FRONTS FOR AFRICA AUTO LTD TO COLLECT 1.5 BN DOLLARS FROM POOR GHANAIANS WE MUST GET EXTREMELY ANGRY....BUT WHAT DO WE SEE.....all we do is allow these criminals to hide under party and tribal colors to commit their huge economic crimes which leads us into further poverty...so we cant even come with resource and competent leadership to improve efficiency in our institutions like korle bu etc etc....STUPID GHANAIANS INDEED.
Mark (UK) 10 years ago
Beema,
Mo ne kasa.
Beema,
Mo ne kasa.
Opanin 10 years ago
Ghanaians have allowed the situation to reach this despicable state we find ourselves.
An empty barrel called JJ Rawlings - a man of no substance, a thug with no managerial skills to run even a barber shop - violently ove ... read full comment
Ghanaians have allowed the situation to reach this despicable state we find ourselves.
An empty barrel called JJ Rawlings - a man of no substance, a thug with no managerial skills to run even a barber shop - violently overthrew an elected government and instantly we dubbed him a saviour, a hero, a pragmatist, a junior Jesus. Nineteen years after, the condition he came to meet had worsened - electricity generation was woefully inadequate for the nation; the hospitals had become death-transit camp; the classrooms were empty of teachers and teaching resources; none of the regional capitals had water taps flowing; the gutters in Accra were overflowing with filth; our major roads were in a state of disrepair. And he succeeded, aided by the mafia behind him, to create a great divide between the two biggest tribes in Ghana - Akans (represented by the majority Ashantis) and Ewes. He had apostles and prophets - the late Kofi Awoonor being one, to institutionalize the divide.
Ghanaians now do not in the least think about the leadership qualities of the person seeking for political power - they rather look at whether he/she may be more sympathetic to a particular tribe. Political leaders in Ghana are no longer the agents for change and development in the country but have become dispensers of political and economic largesse because we do not vote for someone who has the qualities and demeanour to develop the nation - voting is on tribal lines. As someone put it, it is a known fact that in the Volta Region among the Ewes, if a dog stands against an Ashanti man in a presidential election, they will vote for the dog. Thus, for example, we had Atta Mills who sought for political power without knowing what the job of an executive president entailed. It was under him that $26 million was doled to Alfred Agbesi Woyome as gratia. He had done nothing for country to be paid that colossal amount. Meanwhile Atta Mills knew the state of Korle Bu and the other regional hospitals. He knew there was serious water problem in his second hometown, Cape Coast. He knew about the filth that had engulfed Accra and all the other regional capitals. We now have Mahama. Was he not the vice president under Atta Mills? What was his achievements - STX Housing? military aircraft/hangar purchase, GYEEDA, SADA and the $25 million spent on the hoax Nkonfem/tree-planting projects? His office over-run its budget by more that nine billion Ghana Cedis in 2012 alone and the effect of that is the hardship Ghanaians are experiencing now because he put the money in few pockets perhaps in preparation for 2016.
I personally do not see Ghana pulling through in our life time (Opanin is 60 years old) simply because for the few that immensely benefit from the hopeless situation, the status quo will always remain. Ewes will always vote en masse for the NDC without discernment about the qualities of the person they are voting for. The leaders they have so far given to Ghana have been up to scratch - Rawlings, Atta Mills and Mahama.
Marting 10 years ago
Partisanship of Asantes like yourself is the reason we are going no where. You complain of tribalism but ended up doing worse than those you accuse. Asantes are more tribalistic than Ewes. Ewes are working with other tribes i ... read full comment
Partisanship of Asantes like yourself is the reason we are going no where. You complain of tribalism but ended up doing worse than those you accuse. Asantes are more tribalistic than Ewes. Ewes are working with other tribes in the NDC, can we say the same of the Asdantes in the NPP?
Hipocrites!
Erick 10 years ago
Massa, its sad you have easily found a way to bring tribalism into this article, the typical African way as usual is look for an easy way out or scape goat somebody and the issue is resolved.
A cursory analysis of the pro ... read full comment
Massa, its sad you have easily found a way to bring tribalism into this article, the typical African way as usual is look for an easy way out or scape goat somebody and the issue is resolved.
A cursory analysis of the problem in Ghana and most of Africa is that lacking aspect of human ingenuity in the Black man.
We have failed in the field of critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, and seriously lacking human ingenuity to change anything in the natural environment.
Bring back the white man and realize that the entire continent will change in less than 10 years. Hate it or love it, its the truth.
Happy New Year
CITIZEN 10 years ago
I've read this article with the conviction that, all is not lost for Ghana, and that at least there are a few who care about our situation. I commend you for hitting the nail right on the head. As to whether our politicians ... read full comment
I've read this article with the conviction that, all is not lost for Ghana, and that at least there are a few who care about our situation. I commend you for hitting the nail right on the head. As to whether our politicians will listen is anther thing. You have done your part, those who have years let thrn hear.
DAN 10 years ago
GHANA MUST VOTE LIKE AMERICA..SO EVEN LOCAL KMA,AMA CAN BE FROM DIFFERENT PARTY.. EACH REGION SHOULD HAVE GOVENOR..SCHOOL BOARDS FOR EACH REGION OR LARGE CITYS MUST BE VOTE ON NOT APPOINTED
GHANA MUST VOTE LIKE AMERICA..SO EVEN LOCAL KMA,AMA CAN BE FROM DIFFERENT PARTY.. EACH REGION SHOULD HAVE GOVENOR..SCHOOL BOARDS FOR EACH REGION OR LARGE CITYS MUST BE VOTE ON NOT APPOINTED
Anana 10 years ago
The very people who were lucky to be educated, some of them free by Nkrumah's educational system, who are supposed to use their knowledge to help build Ghana are the very people who duping the country. Could you imagine a pre ... read full comment
The very people who were lucky to be educated, some of them free by Nkrumah's educational system, who are supposed to use their knowledge to help build Ghana are the very people who duping the country. Could you imagine a president awarding himself golden medals and chains and hanging them around his and parading the streets of Ghana?
Akwesi 10 years ago
gold chain kufuor. If people like these rule the country for 8 years what do you expect.
gold chain kufuor. If people like these rule the country for 8 years what do you expect.
NO NAME LIKE "AKWESI" IN AKAN. 10 years ago
AKWESI MAY BE A TROKOSI NAME BUT I DOUBT. NO CORRUPTION IN GHANA EXCEEDS THE NDC'S WELL PLANNED "CREATE LOOT AND SHARE" WHICH HAS COST GHAN TRILLIONS OF CEDIS AND PLUNGED GHANA INTO ACUTE POVERTY. THE PEPEFUO/TROKOSI ALLIANCE ... read full comment
AKWESI MAY BE A TROKOSI NAME BUT I DOUBT. NO CORRUPTION IN GHANA EXCEEDS THE NDC'S WELL PLANNED "CREATE LOOT AND SHARE" WHICH HAS COST GHAN TRILLIONS OF CEDIS AND PLUNGED GHANA INTO ACUTE POVERTY. THE PEPEFUO/TROKOSI ALLIANCE IS A TRSGEDY TO GHANA. THE NDC SUPPORTED ARE FEEEEEELING BUT INSTEAD OF CONDENMING THEIR DEMONIC PARTY, ALL THEY SHAMEFULLY SAY IS THAT THEY WON'T VOTE AGAIN. 'S3 WOTO ADUBONE A EBI KA W'ANO.'
Kojo 10 years ago
The gold chain cost less than the cost of Mahamas holiday in Dubai
The gold chain cost less than the cost of Mahamas holiday in Dubai
Akwesi 10 years ago
HOW MANY TRIPS DID KUFUOR MAKE AROUND THE GLOBE IN 8 YEARS WITH TAX PAYERS MONEY?
HOW MANY TRIPS DID KUFUOR MAKE AROUND THE GLOBE IN 8 YEARS WITH TAX PAYERS MONEY?
Raymond 10 years ago
Kwaku, this is a good one.I wish we all can think and realize that it is time for all of Us to unite with one voice to fight corruption in Ghana.how long can we continue like this? The topic for this last quarter has been on ... read full comment
Kwaku, this is a good one.I wish we all can think and realize that it is time for all of Us to unite with one voice to fight corruption in Ghana.how long can we continue like this? The topic for this last quarter has been on corruption.Let us all arise and fight this for a better Ghana. `Tsoo boi`
THEWHO 10 years ago
u live to see such and ur contribution with such great. u are in US , outside the nation contribute as well by donation, tell ur story to organisations or lobby 4 assistance to help the next
u live to see such and ur contribution with such great. u are in US , outside the nation contribute as well by donation, tell ur story to organisations or lobby 4 assistance to help the next
OKOE 10 years ago
THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN OUR POLITICIANS ARE SICK, THEY ARE CARED FOR OVERSEAS, AS SUCH THEY DO NOT GO THROUGH WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED. IF THEY WERE TO PATRONISE OUR HEALTH CENTRES, THEN THERE WOULD BE SOMEONE TO FIGHT FOR CH ... read full comment
THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN OUR POLITICIANS ARE SICK, THEY ARE CARED FOR OVERSEAS, AS SUCH THEY DO NOT GO THROUGH WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED. IF THEY WERE TO PATRONISE OUR HEALTH CENTRES, THEN THERE WOULD BE SOMEONE TO FIGHT FOR CHANGE AT OUR HEALTH CENTRES. UNTIL THEN, THINGS WILL BE AS THEY ARE.
kwesi 10 years ago
Please, show leadership and start organizing people for the said March or demonstration. Thanks
Please, show leadership and start organizing people for the said March or demonstration. Thanks
Alhaji Brutus 10 years ago
there are more s,u,v or4x4 cars in ghana than in germany under dramani,s govt.
there are more s,u,v or4x4 cars in ghana than in germany under dramani,s govt.
yaa 10 years ago
when politicians enrich their pockets and a nurse with 30 years of work goes home with nothing.We have decided not to talk.It is going to get worse.when docs are made to operation in theatres with no A/C and old instruments i ... read full comment
when politicians enrich their pockets and a nurse with 30 years of work goes home with nothing.We have decided not to talk.It is going to get worse.when docs are made to operation in theatres with no A/C and old instruments it's a pity GHANA
APA 10 years ago
WHY CANT WE ALL UNITE AND BE LIKE THE EGYPTIANS.REVO, REVO.
WHY CANT WE ALL UNITE AND BE LIKE THE EGYPTIANS.REVO, REVO.
kaketonti 10 years ago
Thank you Dr Kwaku A Danso.This is the most highly motivated article I have read.They talk,talk and talk shit,critise, critise and critise shit without offering tangible solutions.Only their pot belly and crook-crony's is the ... read full comment
Thank you Dr Kwaku A Danso.This is the most highly motivated article I have read.They talk,talk and talk shit,critise, critise and critise shit without offering tangible solutions.Only their pot belly and crook-crony's is their interest.
princewilly@ymail.com 10 years ago
An old preacher was dying at Korle Bu. He sent a message for his IRS agent and his Lawyer (both church members), to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preac ... read full comment
An old preacher was dying at Korle Bu. He sent a message for his IRS agent and his Lawyer (both church members), to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preacher held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed. The preacher grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything. Both the IRS agent and Lawyer were touched and flattered that the old preacher would ask them to be with him during his final moment.They were also puzzled because the preacher had never given any indication that he particularly liked either one of them.Finally, the Lawyer asked, "Preacher, why did you ask the two of us to come?"
The old preacher mustered up some strength, then said weakly, "Jesus died between two thieves, and that's how I want to go, too
kofi 10 years ago
HOW 20 OF PEOPLE LIPO AND I WILL TAKE POSTS IN GOVT AS MINISTERS TO JUST WORK ON THESE AREAS WITHOUT PAY FOR 1 YEAR ONLY!!! I AM PREPARED TO DO THAT. HOW CAN A PRESIDENT GO ROUND LOOKING AT ROAD CONSTRUCTION? FOR WHAT? WHEN H ... read full comment
HOW 20 OF PEOPLE LIPO AND I WILL TAKE POSTS IN GOVT AS MINISTERS TO JUST WORK ON THESE AREAS WITHOUT PAY FOR 1 YEAR ONLY!!! I AM PREPARED TO DO THAT. HOW CAN A PRESIDENT GO ROUND LOOKING AT ROAD CONSTRUCTION? FOR WHAT? WHEN HIS ROAD MINISTER IS DOING NOTHING? WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR LEADERS AND GOVT'S??? I AM SCARRED TO BE SICK IN GHANA, AS EVEN CHICKEN AND GOATS HAVE A HAPPIER ENDING THAN HUMANS!! GOD HELP US ALL!
kofi 10 years ago
NOW 20 PEOPLE LIKE U AND I WILL TAKE POSTS IN GOVT AS MINISTERS TO JUST WORK ON THESE AREAS WITHOUT PAY FOR 1 YEAR ONLY!!! I AM PREPARED TO DO THAT FOR GHANA!!!. HOW CAN A PRESIDENT GO ROUND LOOKING AT ROAD CONSTRUCTION OR CO ... read full comment
NOW 20 PEOPLE LIKE U AND I WILL TAKE POSTS IN GOVT AS MINISTERS TO JUST WORK ON THESE AREAS WITHOUT PAY FOR 1 YEAR ONLY!!! I AM PREPARED TO DO THAT FOR GHANA!!!. HOW CAN A PRESIDENT GO ROUND LOOKING AT ROAD CONSTRUCTION OR COMMISSIONING PROJECTS? FOR WHAT? IF NOY POLITITICAL GIMMICK AND DECEIPT, WHEN HIS ROAD MINISTER IS DOING NOTHING? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US, OUR LEADERS AND GOVT'S??? I AM SCARRED TO BE SICK IN GHANA, AS EVEN CHICKEN AND GOATS HAVE A HAPPIER ENDING THAN HUMANS!! GOD HELP US ALL!
Donkra 10 years ago
3 years ago, on Christmas Eve, I was admitted to the CRH Cape Coast. After 12 midnight, no nurse was found in the male ward till 6.30am the next day. So many sick and dying old men cried throughout the night for help, but no ... read full comment
3 years ago, on Christmas Eve, I was admitted to the CRH Cape Coast. After 12 midnight, no nurse was found in the male ward till 6.30am the next day. So many sick and dying old men cried throughout the night for help, but no one came to their rescue. All of a sudden at around 8 am, 3 doctors came on the usual rounds, and lo and behold, there appeared 6 nursing staff. I left the hospital that very day though I was still not well. These nurses all are well-paid now, so why behave in such horrendous way. I know of a nurse who refused to help and pick up a sick woman in the same hospital, the reason being that the patient was too fat. Poor pregnant women in labour are always lambasted by these Dracular nurses. These same nurses are becoming pharmacists now, selling medication to patients and advising rich patients to seek treatment at certain specific private clinics in Cape Coast.
Beautiful women with evil minds.
Benash 10 years ago
Dr. Kwaku Danso, once again thank you for all the eye catching articles and insights you share on Ghanaweb.
The sad thing is that our so called leaders as you stated don't care enough and the citizenry's lackadaisical attitu ... read full comment
Dr. Kwaku Danso, once again thank you for all the eye catching articles and insights you share on Ghanaweb.
The sad thing is that our so called leaders as you stated don't care enough and the citizenry's lackadaisical attitude doesn't help either. Sometime I feel I ashamed to call myself a Ghanaian.
The little but most important thing I have learned about the "Whiteman" and his country is that, they use their "brains and hands" to make their lives comfortable and better. Most of our people especially our leaders us their brains just to steal and amass wealth.
Bumbebo London 10 years ago
Sometimes, l want to organize a popular re-organization, not Rawlings so-called revolution of a hungry man, and lead my people to a holy standard!! The time is running nigh! I am coming home!! We shall break no bone, we'll do ... read full comment
Sometimes, l want to organize a popular re-organization, not Rawlings so-called revolution of a hungry man, and lead my people to a holy standard!! The time is running nigh! I am coming home!! We shall break no bone, we'll do exactly what everybody, except exploiters, will understand. Up, up Ghana!!
Akpaklika Mewua Lo Ode 10 years ago
I hope you are sincere, I actually educated and led my people to believe in the principles of probity and accountability only to be dissappointed by colleague students who were cheating their fellow colleagues to satisfy thei ... read full comment
I hope you are sincere, I actually educated and led my people to believe in the principles of probity and accountability only to be dissappointed by colleague students who were cheating their fellow colleagues to satisfy their girlfriends and family members.
Ghana has a long way to go.
Baffour Agyemang 10 years ago
Dr Danso observed "beautiful clean hospitals, the factories making products for our retail stores, the initial beginning or our Tema township, the Harbor, the Motorway, our beautiful high schools and premier Universities with ... read full comment
Dr Danso observed "beautiful clean hospitals, the factories making products for our retail stores, the initial beginning or our Tema township, the Harbor, the Motorway, our beautiful high schools and premier Universities with the fish ponds and swilling pools".Then you says "For God’s sake we can do better today"!I sometimes doubt we can do anything good let alone better because the good things Dr. Danso mentioned were made to be because of the legacy and mentality the white man had just left with us and its effects lingering on.Now we have built our own legacy and mentality and the results are what we are seeing.
london yao 10 years ago
what have you done for Ghana yourself.you would probably be worse than the politicians.we nead to let our institutions work ,so everybody will be scared if we are not doing the right thing.humans are not angels
what have you done for Ghana yourself.you would probably be worse than the politicians.we nead to let our institutions work ,so everybody will be scared if we are not doing the right thing.humans are not angels
Baffour Agyemang 10 years ago
The good things Dr. Danso mentioned were made to be because of the legacy and mentality the white man had just left with us and its effects lingering on.Now we have built our own legacy and mentality and the results are what ... read full comment
The good things Dr. Danso mentioned were made to be because of the legacy and mentality the white man had just left with us and its effects lingering on.Now we have built our own legacy and mentality and the results are what we are seeing.
Joe Durex.. 10 years ago
I hope the useless blood suckers who go by the name NDC and NPP will read this article and take note. Ghana needs a real revolution without the army because they are worse.All the old and new politicians should be sent to pr ... read full comment
I hope the useless blood suckers who go by the name NDC and NPP will read this article and take note. Ghana needs a real revolution without the army because they are worse.All the old and new politicians should be sent to prison for life so that they can't get time to enjoy their loot. The Police too should be retrained so that the state of the art I mean modern equipments should be used in order to cut the daily bribes that they depend on down.
Akpaklika Mewua Lo Ode 10 years ago
Perhaps it is the inaction of those who should act and the indifference of those whose actions matter that have made inefficiency and abysmal governance the irder of the day.
Ghanafuo, let us rise and support this call bef ... read full comment
Perhaps it is the inaction of those who should act and the indifference of those whose actions matter that have made inefficiency and abysmal governance the irder of the day.
Ghanafuo, let us rise and support this call before it is too late!!
Alfred Aruk 10 years ago
Kwaku eei, this is Ghana n this is wht Ghana has. Do u mean to say no one dies in a health facility in developed countries where u n pple like u die hard to travel to. To hell with ur unneccesary comparism n criticism. Haba.. ... read full comment
Kwaku eei, this is Ghana n this is wht Ghana has. Do u mean to say no one dies in a health facility in developed countries where u n pple like u die hard to travel to. To hell with ur unneccesary comparism n criticism. Haba... Whn will 'we' ever be content here?
Amarboi 10 years ago
This is about quality of life and the appalling state of affairs in hospitals in Ghana, including a teaching hospital like Korle-Bu, and not about settling for less because "this is Ghana".
Of course, people die in health ... read full comment
This is about quality of life and the appalling state of affairs in hospitals in Ghana, including a teaching hospital like Korle-Bu, and not about settling for less because "this is Ghana".
Of course, people die in health facilities in developed countries, but not under the conditions Dr. Danso is bringing to attention.
With your "this is Ghana n this is wht Ghana has" mentality, nothing positive is not likely to be accomplished in Ghana if you and your ilk find yourselves in decision-making positions.
YAA 10 years ago
YOU SEE WE NEED TO IMPROVE UPON OUR SERVICES, ATTITUDE AND ALL BUT DO YOU KNOW THAT IN THE US WHERE THE WRITER IS FULL OF PRAISES ARE THE WORST OFFENDERS: MIXING UP BABIES, OPERATING ON WRONG LIMBS, COMMITTING MEDICAL BLUNDER ... read full comment
YOU SEE WE NEED TO IMPROVE UPON OUR SERVICES, ATTITUDE AND ALL BUT DO YOU KNOW THAT IN THE US WHERE THE WRITER IS FULL OF PRAISES ARE THE WORST OFFENDERS: MIXING UP BABIES, OPERATING ON WRONG LIMBS, COMMITTING MEDICAL BLUNDERS WHERE THEY ARE SUED BY THE HOUR! GIVE US A BREAK DR DANSO. COME BACK AND SHARE YR EXPERIENCE WITH US AND HELP US GET TO WHERE THE SO CALLED DEVELOPED COUNTRIES ARE NOW OR JUST SHUT UP! AMERICA DID NOT GET TO WHERE THEY ARE BY CRITISIZING EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIVES!
NEAY 10 years ago
my sis. you have missed the point.
my sis. you have missed the point.
Rachel 10 years ago
Yaa, you're a complete naive and utter idiot! Did you read the article well before spewing such rubbish? Are you comparing the healthcare system of the US to zongo ghana?
Yaa, you're a complete naive and utter idiot! Did you read the article well before spewing such rubbish? Are you comparing the healthcare system of the US to zongo ghana?
PRINCE STONE 10 years ago
I WILL NEVER STOP SAYING THIS...CAN THE LEADERS OF THIS COUNTRY SELL THE COUNTRY AND THEN GIVE ME MY SHARE SO I CAN MOVE FROM HERE AND GO AND STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE...PLEASE SELL THE COUNTRY AND GIVE ME MY SHARE
I WILL NEVER STOP SAYING THIS...CAN THE LEADERS OF THIS COUNTRY SELL THE COUNTRY AND THEN GIVE ME MY SHARE SO I CAN MOVE FROM HERE AND GO AND STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE...PLEASE SELL THE COUNTRY AND GIVE ME MY SHARE
kaketonti 10 years ago
Bravo youngman;crooks/corrupt azan politicians sell GHANA and give Prince Stone his share,save 15.60% for late our grandma
Bravo youngman;crooks/corrupt azan politicians sell GHANA and give Prince Stone his share,save 15.60% for late our grandma
kaketonti 10 years ago
Re-THE 15.60% SHOULD BE DEPOSITED INTO OFF-SHORE ACCOUNTS CODE:AD 1957
Re-THE 15.60% SHOULD BE DEPOSITED INTO OFF-SHORE ACCOUNTS CODE:AD 1957
Narh Kofi - U.S.A 10 years ago
This is not a new story, it has been so for more than 2 decades. The ministers don't care, because they will never go there when they are ill. They go to check-up out side the country - Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo
This is not a new story, it has been so for more than 2 decades. The ministers don't care, because they will never go there when they are ill. They go to check-up out side the country - Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
True and sad as in individual's (or many individuals') story is when their loved one falls ill and is hospitalised in a run-down hospital such as Korle-Bu, it is equally sad to hear blanket condemnation of our health service ... read full comment
True and sad as in individual's (or many individuals') story is when their loved one falls ill and is hospitalised in a run-down hospital such as Korle-Bu, it is equally sad to hear blanket condemnation of our health service and especially the human resource / professionals who work there.
I do not vouch for, and would wholly condemn all those who approach their work without the professionalism associated with what after all is a vocation, rather than anything else. The sad truth is that there are those who simply do not care and cannot be bothered and we all have our experiences of 'mistreatment' by staff including my own mother being refused access to treatment by some nurses about 15 years ago.
Having said all that, there are equally well dedicated, capable professionals -doctors, nurses, laboratory staff, even orderlies whose dedication to duty is most admirable in the very same hospital - Korle-Bu. My caution therefore is not to generalise, but to rightly identify a bad situation and expose it.
Ghana's "Health System" / Structure has been praised by various people including no less a person as Bill Gates, during his last visit to the country earlier in 2013. The fact is our national (public) helath structure and access to health care in Ghana is generally far more than you can say of many of our neighbours. Furthermore, where people use private health services, depending on where you go, the services are often prompt, of a high quality and professionalism is shownm all the way through.
So, what is the problem at Korle-Bu? To me it comes down to three things, some of which have been identified in Kwaku's article namely: Human resource capacity, training and professional code of conduct and ethics; To this end, I would seriously question whether our hospitals and health care institutions have set up corporate and clinical ethics committees to address issues relating to the patients' experience and staff complaints etc. I will also question if the health service has a "patient bill of rights) or a "patients charter" which in other countries, guides codes of practice and clearly spell out patient / staff rights and responsibilities, and therefore also provide a route to seek redress where these rights have been breeched, including ill treatment of patients, their families and even the dead (e.g. mis handling of cadavers sent to mortuaries etc).
Infrastructure / facilities / equipment resources i.e. investment in the health care support structures to enable the trained personnel to function properly, professionally and hopefully happily and to enhance the patient experience;
Third is whether the trained workforce is adequately supported both in their career / continuing professional development and conditions of service inlcuding career progression, renumeration etc. This third point is particularly important for staff morale and the lack thereof does feed into, and contributes signficantly to staff attitudes (which unfortunately extend to patients and their families) and their morale overall.
So, these are issues that need fixing including ensuring that the health care budget is generous and ring-fenced to support projects in all three areas. Developing Corporate ethics framework and patient bill or rights can easily be achieved (within 3 months of constituting the right team to develop these). Funny old world!!! - I find myself actually doing exactly this at this very moment in another part of the world!!!
Having said all this about our system, the dilemma for me is that it is heartbreaking sometimes when you read the impressions of our brothers and sisters in far flung industrialised countries with the high tech health facilities and their moaning and weinging noises about everything Ghana - including our health service. There is no doubt that our helath careinfrastructure is terrible, and that the facilities in our most prestigious referral hospitals are still "third world standard" in the 21st Century. However to characterise the country as a "failed state" for these reasons is most unfair and quite frankly troubling. By all means point out what is wrong and advocate for change and improvements. Come to this and other forums and initiate debate about how we can exert civil society pressure to get politicians and policy makers to act in our collective interests. But to 'throw your hands in the air' and say you are "out" to me is both defeatist and unhelpful to all of us.
I wish to also add that despite the huge mountain of 'teething problems' of president Obama's flagship health care policy and the implementation of the new health insurance provision in the United States, tens of millions of people living in America stand to benefit from what was otherwise a very distorted, unequal health care system in America in which 'if you do not have, then you do not get' - simple as that!!!
That the greatest nation on earth" as is often characterised by Obama has over 40 million of its people lacking access to basic affordable and decent health care is both a scandal and shocking for uninitiated Africans like us who continue to wonder, and despite all the mass of expartriate health personnel that country continues to attract to 'feed their system' including dare I say, countless Ghanaian health professionals of a high calibre who have made it in their various fields in America. My own experience of the problem of falling ill in America without a proper job or health care coverage is that it is a complete nightmare!!! Of course there are those places 'for the poor masses' where you can go and queue for a whole day to get seen by a general physician (if you are lucky) and where the quality of treatment is by no means guaranteed. Only this year in one of the States, a black woman who was not feeling well, was left sitting on a bench in the health centre reception until she dropped DEAD!!! in front of staff and everybody. Now that, is what I call a scandal!!!
Friends of mine who live in that country have told me their experiences of falling ill, and having to pay for everything from the ambulance which picks you up through to every single "health encounter" from registration, through nurse consultation, doctors, laboratory etc. You see, that is what is captured when you have an electronic health insurance system (as I am discovering in my own work at the moment) and the trouble is, if you are not insured, you at are your wits end just to get by every single one of these stages and the bill at the end is something many an average African or Latino licing in the USA can simply not afford.
Why is this important? You will find that the dilemma again is that if you live abroad and your relatives are in Ghana and they fall ill and need treatment, if you choose to go to the private sector, you might (with your meager means from abroad) be able to get decent health care treatment and afford the costs compared to the same treatment in the USA.
Therefore my final word is that we should always temper our frustration, anger, disappointment with a tinge of reality and a dose of humility and rather seek ways of helping our system to do better and hopefully flourish some day. 'Knocking' the system down and somehow characterising it as "failed", "hopeless", "a disgrace" etc. does nothing to change it, and certainly does very little to boost the morale of the hard working staff in those facilities. In my view there are far better ways of tackling our problems and seeking to exert pressure for a better Ghana. I quite agree with those who have expressed sadness at the fact that every little matter such as this one is often seen only through political lenses in Ghana and is yet another opportunity to bash the ruling government of any colour. As far as I can remember, our health sector challenges have been there from 'titi' including when I was a young student of the health professions, with all the ideals of serving my fellow humans with no care in the world about the real practical intricacies and challenges associated with a life long sacrifice as such.
Erick 10 years ago
A good one
A good one
Paul Amuna 10 years ago
Erick, interesting you picked this up, I realised so myself after posting it. I've copied it and will edit it for a feature article in the next day or 2. Thanks
Erick, interesting you picked this up, I realised so myself after posting it. I've copied it and will edit it for a feature article in the next day or 2. Thanks
Papa Yaw 10 years ago
How
How
Zaman555 10 years ago
Ghanaian leadership has priorities all screwed up. Our Medical Facilities should have the best support in terms of Power and Sanitary standards. Caring for the Ghanaian citizens needs to be first. Our health is more importan ... read full comment
Ghanaian leadership has priorities all screwed up. Our Medical Facilities should have the best support in terms of Power and Sanitary standards. Caring for the Ghanaian citizens needs to be first. Our health is more important than impressing the world. Ghanaians pay taxes for a reason and each and everyone of them deserve to have it put to good use. Sad situation described is the articles here. Shame on our Ministries. What standards are they working with? The Minister should tour these Hospitals and make up his mind if He/She would like to be admitted to any of these places.
NEAY 10 years ago
thank you master.
thank you master.
Seth 10 years ago
Yes indeed unless we tell our leaders what they should do for mother Ghana they would bring Ghana to a stand still. We need leaders with the spirit and character of Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, and the like. The nation whic ... read full comment
Yes indeed unless we tell our leaders what they should do for mother Ghana they would bring Ghana to a stand still. We need leaders with the spirit and character of Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, and the like. The nation which our forefathers used their blood to establish is what we are toying with!
Komi Adickah 10 years ago
Sir, you are right we have being taken for fools too long, the constitution really needs to change as power is concentrated in one man who does everything without check from anywhere, the next issue is decentralization all or ... read full comment
Sir, you are right we have being taken for fools too long, the constitution really needs to change as power is concentrated in one man who does everything without check from anywhere, the next issue is decentralization all orders or projects should not from Accra.
Yaw Frimpong-Manso 10 years ago
It has always been bad at the medical facilities in Ghana. The story outside Accra is even worse.
But don't blame only the government. Apathy among workers is a deadly cancer and no amount of resources poured in will fix t ... read full comment
It has always been bad at the medical facilities in Ghana. The story outside Accra is even worse.
But don't blame only the government. Apathy among workers is a deadly cancer and no amount of resources poured in will fix this if the personnel don't care and nobody is held accountable for failure.
the country has failed. priority is on winning elections, not on governing.
A very sad & pathetic country. There's no hope for Ghana when you have uncaring people working in healthcare & heartless & greedy people leading the nation.
No wonder people will even kill to enable them become MPs.We are silently courting another revolution if these politicians continue to treat us this way..
DO HESE POLITICIANS CARE? ABSOLUTELY NO. WHEN THEY GET SICK STRAIGHT TO ABROAD FOR TREATMENT.
we have reduced ourselves to stupid tribalism when issues of politics and governance come up...instead of looking to question leadership on these things, all we do is whether some one is an akan or not pr whether he is npp or ...
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Beema,
Mo ne kasa.
Ghanaians have allowed the situation to reach this despicable state we find ourselves.
An empty barrel called JJ Rawlings - a man of no substance, a thug with no managerial skills to run even a barber shop - violently ove ...
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Partisanship of Asantes like yourself is the reason we are going no where. You complain of tribalism but ended up doing worse than those you accuse. Asantes are more tribalistic than Ewes. Ewes are working with other tribes i ...
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Massa, its sad you have easily found a way to bring tribalism into this article, the typical African way as usual is look for an easy way out or scape goat somebody and the issue is resolved.
A cursory analysis of the pro ...
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I've read this article with the conviction that, all is not lost for Ghana, and that at least there are a few who care about our situation. I commend you for hitting the nail right on the head. As to whether our politicians ...
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GHANA MUST VOTE LIKE AMERICA..SO EVEN LOCAL KMA,AMA CAN BE FROM DIFFERENT PARTY.. EACH REGION SHOULD HAVE GOVENOR..SCHOOL BOARDS FOR EACH REGION OR LARGE CITYS MUST BE VOTE ON NOT APPOINTED
The very people who were lucky to be educated, some of them free by Nkrumah's educational system, who are supposed to use their knowledge to help build Ghana are the very people who duping the country. Could you imagine a pre ...
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gold chain kufuor. If people like these rule the country for 8 years what do you expect.
AKWESI MAY BE A TROKOSI NAME BUT I DOUBT. NO CORRUPTION IN GHANA EXCEEDS THE NDC'S WELL PLANNED "CREATE LOOT AND SHARE" WHICH HAS COST GHAN TRILLIONS OF CEDIS AND PLUNGED GHANA INTO ACUTE POVERTY. THE PEPEFUO/TROKOSI ALLIANCE ...
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The gold chain cost less than the cost of Mahamas holiday in Dubai
HOW MANY TRIPS DID KUFUOR MAKE AROUND THE GLOBE IN 8 YEARS WITH TAX PAYERS MONEY?
Kwaku, this is a good one.I wish we all can think and realize that it is time for all of Us to unite with one voice to fight corruption in Ghana.how long can we continue like this? The topic for this last quarter has been on ...
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u live to see such and ur contribution with such great. u are in US , outside the nation contribute as well by donation, tell ur story to organisations or lobby 4 assistance to help the next
THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN OUR POLITICIANS ARE SICK, THEY ARE CARED FOR OVERSEAS, AS SUCH THEY DO NOT GO THROUGH WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED. IF THEY WERE TO PATRONISE OUR HEALTH CENTRES, THEN THERE WOULD BE SOMEONE TO FIGHT FOR CH ...
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Please, show leadership and start organizing people for the said March or demonstration. Thanks
there are more s,u,v or4x4 cars in ghana than in germany under dramani,s govt.
when politicians enrich their pockets and a nurse with 30 years of work goes home with nothing.We have decided not to talk.It is going to get worse.when docs are made to operation in theatres with no A/C and old instruments i ...
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WHY CANT WE ALL UNITE AND BE LIKE THE EGYPTIANS.REVO, REVO.
Thank you Dr Kwaku A Danso.This is the most highly motivated article I have read.They talk,talk and talk shit,critise, critise and critise shit without offering tangible solutions.Only their pot belly and crook-crony's is the ...
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An old preacher was dying at Korle Bu. He sent a message for his IRS agent and his Lawyer (both church members), to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preac ...
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HOW 20 OF PEOPLE LIPO AND I WILL TAKE POSTS IN GOVT AS MINISTERS TO JUST WORK ON THESE AREAS WITHOUT PAY FOR 1 YEAR ONLY!!! I AM PREPARED TO DO THAT. HOW CAN A PRESIDENT GO ROUND LOOKING AT ROAD CONSTRUCTION? FOR WHAT? WHEN H ...
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NOW 20 PEOPLE LIKE U AND I WILL TAKE POSTS IN GOVT AS MINISTERS TO JUST WORK ON THESE AREAS WITHOUT PAY FOR 1 YEAR ONLY!!! I AM PREPARED TO DO THAT FOR GHANA!!!. HOW CAN A PRESIDENT GO ROUND LOOKING AT ROAD CONSTRUCTION OR CO ...
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3 years ago, on Christmas Eve, I was admitted to the CRH Cape Coast. After 12 midnight, no nurse was found in the male ward till 6.30am the next day. So many sick and dying old men cried throughout the night for help, but no ...
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Dr. Kwaku Danso, once again thank you for all the eye catching articles and insights you share on Ghanaweb.
The sad thing is that our so called leaders as you stated don't care enough and the citizenry's lackadaisical attitu ...
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Sometimes, l want to organize a popular re-organization, not Rawlings so-called revolution of a hungry man, and lead my people to a holy standard!! The time is running nigh! I am coming home!! We shall break no bone, we'll do ...
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I hope you are sincere, I actually educated and led my people to believe in the principles of probity and accountability only to be dissappointed by colleague students who were cheating their fellow colleagues to satisfy thei ...
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Dr Danso observed "beautiful clean hospitals, the factories making products for our retail stores, the initial beginning or our Tema township, the Harbor, the Motorway, our beautiful high schools and premier Universities with ...
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what have you done for Ghana yourself.you would probably be worse than the politicians.we nead to let our institutions work ,so everybody will be scared if we are not doing the right thing.humans are not angels
The good things Dr. Danso mentioned were made to be because of the legacy and mentality the white man had just left with us and its effects lingering on.Now we have built our own legacy and mentality and the results are what ...
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I hope the useless blood suckers who go by the name NDC and NPP will read this article and take note. Ghana needs a real revolution without the army because they are worse.All the old and new politicians should be sent to pr ...
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Perhaps it is the inaction of those who should act and the indifference of those whose actions matter that have made inefficiency and abysmal governance the irder of the day.
Ghanafuo, let us rise and support this call bef ...
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Kwaku eei, this is Ghana n this is wht Ghana has. Do u mean to say no one dies in a health facility in developed countries where u n pple like u die hard to travel to. To hell with ur unneccesary comparism n criticism. Haba.. ...
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This is about quality of life and the appalling state of affairs in hospitals in Ghana, including a teaching hospital like Korle-Bu, and not about settling for less because "this is Ghana".
Of course, people die in health ...
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YOU SEE WE NEED TO IMPROVE UPON OUR SERVICES, ATTITUDE AND ALL BUT DO YOU KNOW THAT IN THE US WHERE THE WRITER IS FULL OF PRAISES ARE THE WORST OFFENDERS: MIXING UP BABIES, OPERATING ON WRONG LIMBS, COMMITTING MEDICAL BLUNDER ...
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my sis. you have missed the point.
Yaa, you're a complete naive and utter idiot! Did you read the article well before spewing such rubbish? Are you comparing the healthcare system of the US to zongo ghana?
I WILL NEVER STOP SAYING THIS...CAN THE LEADERS OF THIS COUNTRY SELL THE COUNTRY AND THEN GIVE ME MY SHARE SO I CAN MOVE FROM HERE AND GO AND STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE...PLEASE SELL THE COUNTRY AND GIVE ME MY SHARE
Bravo youngman;crooks/corrupt azan politicians sell GHANA and give Prince Stone his share,save 15.60% for late our grandma
Re-THE 15.60% SHOULD BE DEPOSITED INTO OFF-SHORE ACCOUNTS CODE:AD 1957
This is not a new story, it has been so for more than 2 decades. The ministers don't care, because they will never go there when they are ill. They go to check-up out side the country - Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo
True and sad as in individual's (or many individuals') story is when their loved one falls ill and is hospitalised in a run-down hospital such as Korle-Bu, it is equally sad to hear blanket condemnation of our health service ...
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A good one
Erick, interesting you picked this up, I realised so myself after posting it. I've copied it and will edit it for a feature article in the next day or 2. Thanks
How
Ghanaian leadership has priorities all screwed up. Our Medical Facilities should have the best support in terms of Power and Sanitary standards. Caring for the Ghanaian citizens needs to be first. Our health is more importan ...
read full comment
thank you master.
Yes indeed unless we tell our leaders what they should do for mother Ghana they would bring Ghana to a stand still. We need leaders with the spirit and character of Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, and the like. The nation whic ...
read full comment
Sir, you are right we have being taken for fools too long, the constitution really needs to change as power is concentrated in one man who does everything without check from anywhere, the next issue is decentralization all or ...
read full comment
It has always been bad at the medical facilities in Ghana. The story outside Accra is even worse.
But don't blame only the government. Apathy among workers is a deadly cancer and no amount of resources poured in will fix t ...
read full comment