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DEEP DIVE
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just gave everybody an update: a ton of our fish and water bodies are cohabiting with mercury. Yep, that shiny silver stuff used by illegal gold miners (aka galamseyers) is causing a whole lotta drama in our rivers and on our plates. Illegal miners have been using mercury to refine gold because, apparently, using cyanide is too mainstream (and illegal).
Whatâs the Scoop?
So, Dr. Jackson Adiyiah Nyantakyi, the EPAâs big brain in the Ashanti Region, went all Inspector Bediako on this issue and found out that mercury has infiltrated our fish. Itâs a full-blown public health hazard. Think weird skin rashes, funky body discolorations, and other spooky symptoms showing up on babies. Yikes! đ¶đ±.
Why Should You Care?
If you go to the Tilapia joint in your area every Friday night and, love kenkey with sizzling hot spicy fish, this news might make you think twice.
From water bodies, into fish, and then onto our dinner tables? Itâs a risky business.
Dr. Nyantakyi iscalling on everyoneâfrom the government to local communitiesâto jump in and help curb these illegal mining activities. Heâs like, âthis is a group project, pull their weight, or we all fail.
Diploma Nursing to be scrapped?
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) just dropped a major proposal: they want to scrap certificate and diploma nursing programs and level up the game by making degree-level education mandatory for all nurses.
What's the Buzz?
So, Professor Ernest Yorke, the GMAâs VP, thinks it's kinda wild having three different entry points into nursing and midwifery, especially since auxiliary nurses make up nearly 60% of the workforce. According to Prof. Yorke, we need more degree-prepared nurses to up our healthcare game. đȘ
Why the Shake-Up?
Prof. Yorke argues that Ghana has the resources and schools to make this happen, just like Nigeria, where registered nurses and midwives need a first degree. He believes having a more skilled nursing population will improve maternal health indicators and overall healthcare quality. đâš
What About Current Nurses?
Don't worry â theyâre not leaving current certificate and diploma holders hanging. There will be courses to help them upgrade to the degree level. Read more
Concerned Drivers have some concerning newsđđ
Brace yourselves! Starting Monday, July 22, 2024, the Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana is bumping up transport fares by 15%. Yes oo.
Why the Hike?
Fuel prices are skyrocketing, with some oil marketing companies pushing the cost past GHâ”15. And itâs not just about fuel; spare parts and other essentials needed to keep those tro-tros and taxis running smoothly are also hitting new highs. đ§âœ
The Inside Scoop
David Agboado, the PRO of the Concerned Drivers Association has made it clear that rising costs are putting the squeeze on drivers, making this fare increase inevitable. Hereâs what he had to say:
âWe will be increasing transport fares by Monday by 15%. The reason is that fuel prices have gone high. All that we use in servicing our vehicles has gone high.â
And get this â the Transport Ministry isnât in the loop on this one. Agboado emphasized, âTransport Ministry is not aware, and we donât need to sit with transport Ministry before we increase our transport fares. We keep saying this.â
ErmmmâŠthis is kind of different from what Amoah told us last week though.
What It Means for You
Whether youâre hopping on a tro-tro to work or quick errands, you will pay more.
PS: You might want to start calculating what 15% extra is for your route. Read more
QUICK BYTE
Wednesday night at the Accra Sports Stadium was electric. Kotokoâs Justice Blay sent the fans wild, netting a penalty early on. Heartsâ Asamoah Boateng rekindled hope with a brilliant equalizer after the break, only for Amidu to dash their dreams, sealing a 2-1 win for the Porcupine Warriors. The Phobians' late efforts fell short, marking Kotokoâs third triumph over them this season. Read more
âEnough is enoughâ, Locked-Up Investment Holdersâ Forum say as they picket at the Finance Ministry for the eighth time. The frustrated investors are demanding their locked-up funds from insolvent financial institutions. The group vows to keep picketing until their voices are heard and their funds are released. Read more
There will be 67,000 new jobs just waiting to be filled soon! Thatâs the promise of President Akufo-Addoâs Agenda 111 Hospital Projects. Announcing this at the inauguration of the Adansi North Hospital, he detailed the job creation potential. Read more
In a riveting twist ahead of the December elections, Fitch Solutions has predicted the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is gonna slay. 54% of respondents tipping John Mahama to triumph over the ruling New Patriotic Party. Read more
Dr. Banda Khalifa, makes history as the youngest and only Ghanaian appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to serve on the newly established Emergency Preparedness and Response Technical Advisory Group (EPR-TAG)! Read more
Music producer Spiky, aka Kwabena Ofei-Kwadey Nkrumah, hits a high note in the courtroom! The Commercial Court 7 in Accra awarded him $250,000 in damages for CAF's unauthorized use of his track 'Okomfo Anokye' in promotions for the 2018 CAF awards. Spiky's music really pricked CAF's earsâand their wallets! Read more
FACT OF THE DAY
Once upon a time, in the not-so-distant past, mercury was seen as a magical element. Known as "quicksilver," it was believed to possess mystical properties and was used in various concoctions and treatments.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, mercury found its way into everyday products. It was used in cosmetics, medicines, mirror-making and even hat-making. Hatters used mercury to treat the felt in hats, which led to the phrase "mad as a hatter." The side effects of mercury exposure were severe, causing tremors, extreme mood swings, hallucinations, and even madness.
ChaaaaleâŠ
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