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Tag: 37 Military Hospital

  • Family sues 37 Military Hospital over death of 48-year old man; demand GH¢2 million

    Family sues 37 Military Hospital over death of 48-year old man; demand GH¢2 million

    A 48-year-old man’s family has filed a lawsuit against the 37 Military Hospital, a doctor, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the government.

    The plaintiff is also demanding GH¢2 million damages for medical negligence leading to the deceased’s death.

    The family contends that the death of Solomon Asare Kumah at the hospital in October 2019 was due to a breach of contract and negligence by the hospital and the doctor, Col. Dr Gao Appiah who took care of him.

    Per the writ filed in 2021, the family argues that, “the hospital and its employees failed to exercise due care when they wrongly inserted Solomon’s breathing tube under his skin thereby denying oxygen for a considerable amount of time and as such causing stain on his heart and other organs and thus causing his death.”

    The particulars of the negligence complaint were that, the 3rd defendant (Hospital) and its employees responsible for Solomon’s care, particularly the 4th defendant, (doctor) failed to exercise due care when they wrongly inserted Solomon’s breathing tube under his skin thereby denying him oxygen for a considerable amount of time and as such causing a strain on his heart and other organs and causing his death;

    “The 3rd defendant and its employees failed to provide the appropriate standard of care when they failed to notice within reasonable time that Solomon’s tube had been wrongly inserted until he (Solomon) became extremely bloated;

    “The 3rd defendant and its employees responsible for Solomon’s care, particularly the 4th defendant, failed to exercise due care when they failed to ensure on 16th September, 2019, that the drill required for Solomon’s surgery was in good working condition before cutting open Solomon’s skull, thereby exposing his body and organs to considerable strain and clotting in the vein, a condition which required an expensive procedure costing Solomon and his family the Ghana Cedi equivalent of five thousand five hundred United States Dollars (US$5,500.00) plus other expenses to treat;

    “The 3rd defendant and its employees failed in their duty of care to Solomon when they failed to notice that Solomon had developed symptoms of clotting in the vein; and the 3rd defendant failed in its duty as a referral hospital to ensure that it had the requisite tools and equipment to treat Solomon’s condition before admitting him,” the writ stated.

    Reliefs being sought

    The family per the writ issued in 2021 is seeking the following reliefs…

    a. A Damages of two million eight thousand two hundred and fifty-nine Ghana Cedis and fifty-seven pesewas (GH¢2,008,259.57) for negligently causing the death of Solomon Asare-Kumah;

    b. Compensation to the widow and family members for mental distress, which eventually led to the death of Solomon’s father;

    C. General damages for breach the contract between Solomon and the dr3 defendant;

    d. An order for the recovery of special damages for breach of contract and for negligence resulting in the following losses;

    The sum of twenty thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢20,000.00) being funeral and other expenses incurred; the sum of thirty-six thousand two hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢36,200.00) being the sums of money collected from Solomon and or his family by 4th defendant through deceit, and unconscionable contract; the sum of ten thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢10,000.00) being the expenses incurred by family during Solomon’s 60-day stay at the 3rd defendant’s facility; and sum of the Ghana Cedi equivalent of five thousand five hundred United States Dollars (US$5,500.00) being expenses incurred for the IVC filter procedure at the National Cardio Centre, Korle-Bu;

    e. Any other reliefs the Honourable Court deems fit;

    f. Costs including solicitor’s fees of forty thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢40,000.00).

    EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reports that the High Court in Accra is expected to rule on an application from the family seeking the Chief of Defence Staff and the Hospital to release the report of its investigation on the matter pending the determination of the substantive matter.

    Parties

    The Plaintiff is the customary successor, and the administrator of the estate of Solomon Asare-Kumah (deceased) and brings this action in the capacities indorsed on the writ.

    The Attorney General – 1st Defendant is the principal legal adviser to the government of Ghana and the constitutionally designated defendant for all suits against the State.

    The Chief of Defence Staff – 2nd defendant is the head of the Ghana Armed Forces, and has oversight responsibility for the operations of the 3rd defendant herein.

    37 Military Hospital- 3rd defendant is a state-owned referral hospital located in Accra, and was at all times material to the facts giving rise to the instant action, the employer of the 4th defendant.

    Col. Dr Gao Appiah (doctor)- The 4th defendant is an employee of the 3rd defendant and the consultant surgeon in charge of the care of Solomon Asare-Kumah during his stay at the facility of the 3rd defendant.

  • Missing twins saga: 37 Military Hospital apologises to couple …claims scans were incorrect

    Missing twins saga: 37 Military Hospital apologises to couple …claims scans were incorrect

    The 37 Military Hospital in Ac­cra has said that the ultra-sound scans conducted on a woman be­fore delivery were error-ridden.

    According to the hospital, the error was detected after fur­ther inquisition into the missing twin saga.

    This disclosure comes five days after the Ghanaian Times’ investigative story published on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

    The hospital has, therefore, apologised to the couple and said the issue would serve as a wake-up call to the hospital, promising to release the result of an investigative report to the family this Friday.

    Missing twins saga: 37 Military Hospital apologises to couple …claims scans were incorrect

    These were the outcome of a meeting held on Monday with senior military officers, including the Chief of Staff (COS) at the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) – Major General Nicho­las Peter Andoh, and the family of Daniel Naawu – husband of the woman who was expecting twins, for a briefing at the Bur­ma Camp in Accra.

    Other top military officers present at the little-over-an-hour meeting which was at the behest of Maj Gen Andoh, were Brig. Gen. Raymond Kwabena Ewusi, the Director of General, Ghana Armed Forces Medical Services, Naval Commander Dr Paul Yeg­be, an Urologist and surgeon at the 37 Military Hospital and Ma­jor Alfred Topper – a member of the team set up to investigate the issue.

    37 Military Hospital

    Dr Ali Saine, a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist at the 37 Military Hospital, who performed the Caesarean Section (CS) on that fateful day (September 8, 2022), was also present to respond to questions at the meeting.

    The four-member family of Naawu, led by the legendary Ghana goalkeeper, John Naawu, took turns to bombard Dr Saine with questions on the supposed missing twin and the ultrasound scan taken at the hospital after 31 weeks.

    According to Dr Saine, the hospital expected twins as the scan had shown but was sur­prised to see only one baby.

    He blamed the situation on a flawed diagnosis first conducted at the Cerica Diagnostic Services in Accra that suggested the woman, Ms Audrey Agyapong, was carrying double foetuses.

    Responding to a question, Dr Saine conceded that the sec­ond scan done at the 37 Military Hospital, was also error-ridden, insisting that only one baby was delivered.

    On his part, Maj Gen Andoh said the hospital had no inten­tions of doing anything malicious knowing their credibility and rep­utation was always on the line.

    “We will not shield anybody who tries to bring the military’s name into disrepute.

    “But we’re a human institu­tion; such errors are bound to occur, and would be guided by this going into the future,” he was quoted as saying.

    When contacted yesterday, Technical Director and Radiol­ogist of the Cerica Diagnostic Centre, Dr Eric Otu-Danquah, was alarmed at the contention of the 37 Military Hospital, saying his outfit did due diligence in arriving at its result.

    “We are not saying we are infallible but in the best of our knowledge, we were diligent in our delivery.

    “It’s unfortunate they came to that conclusion. I have my contact numbers on the scan report in the possession of Ms Agyapong; so they could have called to cross­check if they had any doubts,” Dr Otu-Danquah told the Ghanaian Times.

    The 37 Military Hospital, it was disclosed to the Ghanaian Times, would hand over the final report of the investigations into the case that commenced in Oc­tober 2022, to the Naawu family this Friday.

    In a painstaking investigative story carried by the Ghanaian Times on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the couple narrated how they went to the 37 Military Hospital expecting twins only to be handed one baby after delivery and thus suspected foul play.

    Ultra-sound checks done 31 weeks into the gestation period at two medical facilities, including the 37 Military Hospital, showed that one Ms Audrey Agyapong was carrying two live foetuses (twins).

    The first scan report, which was signed by Dr Otu Danquah, was conducted on April 22, 2022, at the Cerica Diagnostic Services when the pregnancy was 20 weeks old.

    Its results showed live intrauterine (inside the uterus) foetuses.

    A second ultrasonic scan done at the 37 Military Hospital on July 21, 2022 and signed by Drs M.T Mpetey and R. Asiedu, a Resident and Senior Physician respectively, confirmed results of the earlier scan with twin A weighing 269g and B weighing 261g.

    “In all, we did four different scans, all showing I was carrying live twins and it is baffling that one could disappear at birth,” Ms Agyapong told the Ghanaian Times.

    Explaining further, she said on September 7, 2022, when her gestation period was 38 weeks, she was admitted at the 37 Mil­itary Hospital where her vitals were taken with two foetal heart beats confirmed as normal.

    In a follow-up story by Gha­naian Times on Friday, January 20, 2023, the couple was informed that the placenta tissue of Ms Agyapong, had been sent to Italy for further examinations.

    The exercise, according to the Military Hospital, was to deter­mine whether the 38-year-old woman was delivered of twins, which has generated a vortex of interest among Ghanaians.

  • Couple charges 37 Military Hospital to provide missing twin

    Couple charges 37 Military Hospital to provide missing twin

    A couple in Accra is accusing the 37 Military Hospital staff for the ‘disappearance’ of one of their freshly-born babies delivered at the hospital.

    The delivery was done through Caesarean section on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

    A visibly distraught mother of the supposed twin, 38-year-old trader – Audrey Agyapong, and her 54-year-old husband, Daniel Naawu, are suspecting foul play.

    Narrating their ordeal to the Ghanaian Times in Accra, the couple recalled that an ultrasonic checks done 31 weeks into the gestation period at two med­ical facilities, including the 37 Military Hospital, showed that Ms Agyapong was carrying two live foetuses (twins).

    Missing twin: Couple takes 37 Military Hospital to task
    A radiological report of the twin foetuses after 31 weeks

    The Ghanaian Times’ painstak­ing investigations suggested that the first scan report, which was signed off by Dr Otu Danquah, was conducted on April 22, 2022, at the Cerica Diagnostic Services at Lartebiokoshie in Accra, when the pregnancy was 20 weeks.

    Its results showed live intrauterine (inside the uterus) foetuses.

    Missing twin: Couple takes 37 Military Hospital to task
    The first ultrasonic scan after 20 weeks showed two foetuses

    Furthermore, a second ultra­sonic scan done at the 37 Military Hospital on July 21, 2022, and signed by Drs M.T Mpetey and R. Asiedu, a Resident and Senior Physician respectively, confirmed results of the earlier scan with twin A weighing 269g and B weighing 261g.

    “In all, we did four different scans, all showing I was carrying live twins and it is baffling that one could disappear at birth,” Ms Agyapong told the Ghanaian Times.

    Explaining further, she said on September 7, 2022, when her ges­tation period was 38 weeks, she was admitted at the 37 Military Hospital where her vitals were taken with two foetal heart beats confirmed as normal.

    “On the 8th of September 2022, the morning of the oper­ation, my babies were checked again and I was told they were both well. Double logistics were therefore taken for them. At the theatre, I was prepared for the operation and anaesthesia was given which completely numbed the lower part of my body.

    “A screen was placed in the middle which prevented me from directly viewing what was happening. However, I felt the two babies being taken from my womb. Later, I heard a cry and one female baby was shown to me by a doctor named Dr Ali Saine, who told me ‘It is only one baby’.”

    Dr Saine is a senior Obstetri­cian and Gynaecologist at the 37 Military Hospital, who performed the Caesarean section.

    “I was startled and whilst try­ing to process the import of what I was just told, I heard the doctor tell his team members to take out their phones and video it. I was taken to the recovery ward where the doctor told me he would come and talk to me,” recalled Ms Agyapong, who said she had been having sleepless nights since the incident.

    According to the disturbed mother, to make matters worse, she was later told that what she thought was a second baby, was rather a placenta.

    “I was shocked because this was not the first time I was giving birth and I know how one feels when the placenta comes out.”

    For his part, Mr Naawu, a senior driver at J.A Plant Pool Ghana Limited in Accra, said his baby’s alleged disappearance was “unacceptable” as he was asked to pay for double items before the operation.

    “I have twins from my previ­ous marriage and was glad I was going to have another set only to be told this shocking story,” the evidently upset father fumed.

    He continued: “As I speak now, I have not been able to outdoor the child, nor give her a name, because I do not know whether the missing baby is also female or male.”

    Meanwhile, on October 10, 2022, Mr Naawu petitioned the Commander-in-Charge of the 37 Military Hospital to cause an investigation into the matter and bring back his missing child.

    Several attempts made by the Ghanaian Times to speak to Dr Ali Saine on the issue, proved futile, as he insisted on contacting the Commander-in-Charge of the 37 Military Hospital, for permission.

    “We have a laid-down pro­cedure here. I can’t speak to the media unless you seek permission from the appropriate quarters at the hospital,” he insisted.

    After a couple of attempts to speak to him fell through, the Ghanaian Times on October 14, 2022, officially wrote to the Commander-in-Charge of the 37 Military Hospital, requesting an interview with Dr Saine.

    Several follow-ups have been made ever since, but to no avail; as it was always met with the re­frain at the hospital’s administra­tion that: “we are working on it.”

    On Friday, October 28, 2022, the Ghanaian Times wrote another letter addressed to the Public Af­fairs Department of the 37 Mil­itary Hospital, requesting for an interview with Dr Ali Saine, but only received a verbal response assuring that an investigation has been commenced into the case.

    However, an eye specialist at the 37 Military Hospital, Wing Commander Isaac Bediako Ford­juor who is part of a team tasked to probe into the matter, told the Ghanaian Times in November last year that investigations had commenced.

    “We have interviewed all concerned including nurses who worked at the theatre on that fate­ful day and we shall brief you on our findings when we are done,” he said.

    Nearly four months have passed since investigations com­menced into the incident.

  • Asuma Banda’s first wife files for divorce after 48 years together – Report

    Cassandra Banda, the first wife of business mogul Alhaji Asuma Banda has reportedly filed for divorce after close to five decades of their union.

    A report by mynewsgh.com cited court documents in which Mrs. Banda is seeking the annullment of their marriage with settlement.

    She argues in the court papers that she should be awarded 60% of Banda’s estate citing the role she played in supporting the now-ailing millionaire from his early days when they met in London.

    Cassandra met and married the then 41-year-old Asuma Banda in London in 1974 but she contends that the marriage “has now reached a point of irreconcilable differences after years of alleged philandering by her husband which she largely ignored,” the Mynewsgh.com report stated.

    Alhaji Asuma Banda has recently been in the news after viral videos of a custody battle around his bedside at the 37 Military Hospital was circulated on social media.

    His two sisters subsequently appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former president John Mahama and the National Chief Imam to intervene in the custody issues.

    A court has granted custody and care of Banda to his second wife Edwina Baaba Coussey Banda who he married in 1991.

    The one-time Anktrak Air CEO turned 89 this year and will clock 90 years by next year June.

  • Why business tycoon Asuma Banda’s sisters demand custody of their ill brother

    On December 8, 2022, videos depicting a sick Asuma Banda, one of Ghana’s wealthiest businessman and formerly thought to be the richest man in the nation, began to circulate on social media.

    Banda is said to be on admission at the 37 Military Hospital under the care of his second wife even though his family have recently been pushing that he be sent to Kintampo for care.

    According to a recent Rainbow Radio online reportage, two sisters of Asuma Banda claim that their brother has expressly requested that he be sent to Kintampo for care.

    The sisters on December 7, 2022 told Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that they were seeking the intervention of the president, office of the former president and the Chief Imam to resolve custody issues around their brother.

    ”We know the court has ruled in favour of the second wife. But he is our beloved family member. We acknowledge what his two wives have done for him. We will not be ungrateful to them.

    “But our brother has requested to go to Kintampo. And so we are appealing to the president to intervene,” they said in apparent reference to the second wife’s reluctance to allow him to be moved.

    The sisters revealed that except for Tuesday, December 6, 2022, we have not seen our brother in the past five years, the Rainbow Radio report added.

    ”We are still appealing to friends, the business community, and all those who know our brother to intervene. The court has ruled, but we are interested in making our brother better.

    “John Mahama knows my brother so well. Nana Addo was his good friend. I am also appealing to Frema Opare to intervene. The two wives are tired, and we want to take over as his sisters,” Hajia Shatta said.

     

  • Infection prevention, control shared responsibility – CO 37 Military Hospital

    Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is a collective responsibility of all healthcare staff, patients and visitors of hospitals, the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 37 Military Hospital, Col Seth Attoh has said.

    He explained that Infection Prevention and Control was not an area of interest to only a few trained specialists, but rather it was the role of all stakeholders in the health sector.

    Col Attoh said this yesterday in Accra at the launch of the International IPC week which was held on the theme “The future is infection prevention: 50 years of infection prevention.”

    International IPC week is an annual event celebrated globally to emphasise the importance of infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities.

    It is also to celebrate infection prevention teams all over the world.

    He stated that the hospital environment sometimes posed a risk of contracting infections to patients and healthcare staff, adding that “in view of this every effort at infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities should be vigorously pursued.”

    According Col Attoh, it had been indicated by a research that up to seven per cent of patients in developed countries and more than 10 per cent in developing countries would acquire at least one health care associated infection.

    He said a large percentage of health care associated infections were preventable through effective infection prevention and control measures, stating that IPC was pivotal to quality health care delivery.

    He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) required all levels of healthcare facilities to implement infection prevention control programmes and that the relevant guidelines had been provided for all healthcare facilities in the discharge of their duties.

    The CO of 37 Military Hospital said Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) had been added to IPC because studies had shown that effective infection prevention and control could not be practiced without proper WASH.

    He said series of activities had been lined up for the week-long celebration which included workshop, competitive inspections for all divisions, departments and wards to assess their level of compliance with IPC and an award ceremony.

    The Deputy Director of Quality Assurance at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Mary Ashinyo, said the service was ready to partner the Ghana Armed Forces to build the capacity of health workers of the hospital.

    She said guidelines would be developed to support workers in the discharge of their duties, adding that it was important to understand the transmission of infections and entreated all stakeholders to support in the fight against infectious diseases.

    The Chief Nursing Officer, Clinical, Col Patience  Owusu Aidoo, said the fight against infectious micro-organisms would never end and that healthcare providers should strive to ensure that healthcare was delivered in a safe environment for all stakeholders.

    Source:ghanaiantimes.com

  • Actor ‘Waakye’, laid to rest :Photos

    The final funeral rites of late Ghanaian actor, Reverend Stephen Prince Yawson alias Waakye, have been held.

    The funeral ceremony was held at the forecourt of the State House. The late actor died at the 37 Military Hospital on August 1, 2022, at the age of 52.

    Waakye featured in several prominent Ghanaian movies and was ordained a Reverend Minister in 2021.

    His funeral was graced by several celebrated Ghanaians including his colleagues in the movie industry.

    Check out some photos shot by Adomonline’s Gershon Mortey:

    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest
    Photos: Actor 'Waakye', laid to rest

     

    Source;myjoyonline.com

     

  • Five movies Ghanaian actor Prince Yawson known as “Waakye” featured in

    The demise of veteran actor Prince Yawson, popularly known in the film industry as Waakye has left many Ghanaians recalling fond memories of the late super star.

    He is said to have passed on earlier today at the 37 Military Hospital after battling an illness.

    Mr Yawson was 52 years of age.

    Before deciding to make acting his full-time profession, Waakye began his acting career by appearing in stage productions.

    The actor gained notoriety for his performances in a number of films, such as Obra and Diabolo in the early 2000s.

    With his unique style of acting coupled with his sense of humor, the name waakye became a household name.

    Below are top five movies of the veteran actor

    Diabolo

    The veteran actor featured in the movie Diabolo. Diabolo is a 1992 Ghanaian film that tells the story of a man who has the power to transform into a serpent. He uses this power to sexually assault and kill women, mostly sex workers.

    Obra

    Obra to wit Life is a Ghanaian television drama series which was very popular in Ghana in the 1980s. Obra episodes generally addressed the virtues and vices of life such as honesty, integrity, patience, perseverance, gratitude, envy, greed, jealousy, treachery.

    Marijata

    The plot of Marijata focused on a monster who was unaware of its identity and killed countless people in the house of Harry Laud. The movie starred the late Prince Yawson,Araba Stamp, Bob Santo, Harry Laud, Judas and many other actors who were prominent back in the day.

     

    Babina

    Babina is a 2000 Ghanaian film written by screenwriters Leila Afua Djansi and Ashangbor Akwetey Kanyi. The film tells a story about a conflict between a witch called Babina, who was sent to the world to destroy the life of man, and the men of God who oppose her. It is an African horror film.

    Chokor Trotro

    Chokor Trotro is the current movie production the late veteran actor was featured on. The movie is Ghanaian comedy series which is aired on TV3. This comedy series zooms in on the day-to-day life style of a bus driver and his conductor.

    Source:The Indepedent Ghana

     

  • Social media users mourn veteran actor Prince Yawson ‘Waakye’

    Ghanaian actor Prince Yawson, popularly known as “Waakye“, has passed on at the age of 52.

    The veteran actor passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at the 37 Military Hospital, with the cause of his death yet to be ascertained.

    The actor had been battling illness in recent times and did recover on few occasions until this unfortunate news about his death.

    The actor featured in some of Ghana’s top movies in the early 2000’s, having become a household name.

    Movies he featured in include “Diabolo”, “Chorkor Trotro” and “Babina”, among others.

    Social media users have posted their condolences and praise for Waakkye’s contribution to the local film an entertainment industry.

    Waakye
    Waakye

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Ukraine war: CIA chief says no intelligence that Putin is in bad health

    There is no intelligence that Vladimir Putin is unstable or in bad health, the director of the CIA has said.

    There has been increasing unconfirmed media speculation that Mr Putin, who turns 70 this year, may be suffering from ill health, possibly cancer.

    But William Burns said there was no evidence to suggest this, joking that he appeared “too healthy”.

    The Kremlin has again dismissed the reports of Mr Putin’s ill-health as “nothing but fakes”.

    It came as the US announced it would provide Ukraine with more long-range weapons.

    Earlier Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia’s military focus in Ukraine was no longer “only” the east and implied Moscow’s strategy had changed after the West supplied Ukraine with such weapons.

    ‘Believer in control’

     

    “There are lots of rumours about President Putin’s health and as far as we can tell he’s entirely too healthy,” Mr Burns said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.

    Responding to laughter, he added that this was not a formal intelligence judgement.

    The Kremlin dismissed the rumours of the president’s ill-health on Thursday.

    “In recent months, Ukrainian, American and British so-called information ‘specialists’ have thrown around various fakes about the health of the president. But it is nothing but fakes,” Mr Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Thursday.

    Mr Burns, who served as ambassador to Moscow, said he had been observing and dealing with the Russian leader for more than two decades.

    Mr Putin is “a big believer in control, intimidation and getting even” and these traits have hardened over the last decade as his circle of advisers has contracted, the CIA chief said.

    “He is convinced that his destiny as Russia’s leader is to restore Russia as a great power. He believes the key to doing that is to recreate a sphere of influence in Russia’s neighbourhood and he cannot do that without controlling Ukraine.”

    William BurnsGetty Images

    William Burns, seen here in 2014, served as ambassador to Moscow

    Mr Burns travelled to Moscow in November to warn about the serious consequences for invading Ukraine following intelligence the US had collected about Russia’s plans. But the CIA director said he left “more troubled than when I arrived”.

    The Russian president’s plans were based on “profoundly flawed assumptions and some real illusions especially about Ukraine and the will to resist”, Mr Burns said.

    “Putin really does believe his rhetoric. I’ve heard him say this privately over the years that Ukraine is not a real country.

    “Well, real countries fight back. And that’s what the Ukrainians have done.”

    The US estimates that Russian casualties in Ukraine so far have reached around 15,000 killed and perhaps 45,000 wounded, Mr Burns said.

    He added Russia’s current concentration of forces in the Donbas suggested the military had learned hard lessons.

    Russia invaded Ukraine in February, claiming falsely that Russian-speakers in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region had suffered a genocide and needed to be liberated.

    Five months on, Russia has occupied parts of the east and south of the country, but it failed in its original aim of capturing Kyiv and has since claimed its main objective was the liberation of Donbas.

    The US has accused Russia of preparing to annex parts of Ukraine.

    BBC mapBBC

    But earlier on Wednesday the Russian foreign minister implied the US supplying long-range weapons could broaden Moscow’s military focus in Ukraine.

    Despite Mr Lavrov’s apparent warnings, the US on Wednesday announced it would provide Ukraine with more long-range weapons.

    Ukraine will receive another four Himars advanced rocket systems to hold the advance of Russian troops, bringing the total number to 16, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

    Meanwhile Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska addressed US Congress, asking for more air-defence systems to “help us to stop this terror against Ukrainians”.

    She said the weapons could help assure a “joint great victory”.

  • Ghana Armed Forces explains viral video of soldiers involved in accident

    According to GAF, 16 military personnel sustained various degrees of injuries in the accident while on an operation (Operation Halt II), to stop illegal mining on some river bodies in parts of the Eastern Region.

    The injured were initially treated at the Anum Apapam clinic before being evacuated to the 37 Military Hospital for further treatment.

    The disconcerting video of the has some soldiers strewn about the accident scene, some with broken limbs, while their colleagues in a second vehicle attend to them offering First Aid as they awaited ambulance services.

    Voices in the video suggest the driver may have lost control of the vehicle after hitting a bad patch of the road.

    The accident vehicle, a pick-up truck marked 81, with registration number 76 GA 39, and said to belong to the Southern Command, is seen turned on its side with some of the soldiers seen searching it if anyone was trapped under it.

    Below is a statement issued by the Ghana Armed Forces Public Affairs Directorate, signed by Naval Capt. Michael A. Larbi, Director of Public Relations.

     GAF PERSONNEL EMBARKING ON OP HALT II DUTIES, INVOLVED IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT ANUM-APAPAM

    In reference to a viral video depicting a road traffic accident involving some military personnel, the Ghana Armed Forces wishes to clarify that the personnel, drawn from the Southern Command, were embarking on an operation (Operation Halt II), to stop illegal mining on some river bodies in parts of the Eastern Region. The accident occurred on Thursday 9 June 2022, along the Suhum Anum Apapam Road when the military truck in which they were travelling suddenly developed a mechanical fault causing it to tip over.

    About 16 military personnel sustained various degrees of injuries and were initially treated at Anum Apapam clinic before being evacuated to the 37 Military Hospital for further treatment. The Military High Command has visited the personnel on admission and as at this morning, 12 out of the injured personnel had been discharged while the remaining four (4) are in a stable condition and responding to treatment.

    The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to express its appreciation to the residents of Anum Apapam and the surrounding areas and the Apapam Clinic Staff who came to the aid of the injured personnel, and also the National Ambulance Service for the swift evacuation of the victims to the 37 Military Hospital.

    GAF will continue to count on the support of all Ghanaians in curbing the illegal mining on our water bodies and also in the fight against all other illegal activities

    Signed
    MA LARBI
    Naval Captain
    Director Public Relations

    Source:  www.graphic.com.gh

  • Military takeover not the way to go – Deputy defence minister



    Deputy Defence Minister, Kofi Amankwa-Manu has said coups, as being talked about by some faction in public, cannot lead to the development of the country.

    He said Ghana can only develop through the sharing of ideas and persons calling for military coup are ignorant of its consequences.

    “I do not think it (coup) is the way to go, we want to develop this country and we can develop this country, not through coups. We can develop this country by sharing ideas.

    “It is worrying more especially when we have people who are supposed to know better who talking calling for coups. Sometimes I wonder if those who are calling for coups have really experienced coups in Ghana or in other countries within the sub-region,” the defence minister told the media on the side-lines of an empowerment programme for the youth of Atwima Kwanwoma.

    He, however, noted that the military is ready to defend the country in the likelihood of any disturbance.

    “I would take every opportunity to ensure every Ghanaian living in this country called Ghana to go about their normal duties without any fear because I have so much confidence in our men in uniform. They are prepared to protect this country from those that we call the destroyers,” he added.

    Kofi Amankwa-Manu, who is also the member of parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma, said current happenings in parliament were not the best, adding that the house is not a boxing arena.

    “We can also disagree to agree. That is why I thought it was in bad taste when the general secretary of the NDC said that if they want to make sure that whatever the standing orders were working and they have to slap for those laws to work they would slap,” he said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Akufo-Addo to receive coronavirus vaccine at 37 Military Hospital

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will today receive the first dose of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, alongside his wife Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

    The event will be telecast live on TV to show Ghanaians that it is safe to take.

    President Akufo-Addo is doing this to boost public confidence in the safety and efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine that has been approved for use to slow the spread of the virus in Ghana.

    Announcing this during his 24th televised Coronavirus address to the nation on Sunday, February 28, Akufo-Addo said, “as your President, I want to assure you that the vaccine is safe. That is why tomorrow, on Monday, 1st March, ahead of the commencement of the vaccination programme on Tuesday, 2nd March, my wife the First Lady, the Vice President, his wife the Second Lady, and I will take the vaccine publicly at two health facilities in Accra.”

    He further announced that on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, other key public officials including the Speaker and Members of Parliament, the Chief Justice and Justices of the Superior Courts of Judicature, the Chairperson and Members of the Council of State, the Chief of Staff and senior officials at the Office of the President will take the jab publicly.

    The rest are prominent personalities such as some Eminent Clergy, the National Chief Imam, the Asantehene, the Ga Mantse, and some media practitioners.

    He subsequently called for an all-hands-on-deck approach for a successful vaccination programme saying, “I encourage faith-based groups, civil society, media and all Ghanaians to support the public education campaign associated with the exercise.”

    “Our domestic regulatory agency FDA (Food and Drugs Authority),” the President said, “has certified the safe use of the vaccine.

    “Taking the vaccine will not alter your DNA; it will not embed a tracking device in your body,” the President further assured. “Neither will it cause infertility in women or men. As your president, I want to assure you that the vaccine is safe.”

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Medical and Emergency Unit of 37 Military Hospital to shutdown for fumigation exercise GAF

    The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says the 37 Military Hospital will next week close down its Medical and Emergency Unit to the public in order to undergo a fumigation exercise.

    According to a statement signed and issued by the Director of Public Relations for the GAF, Col. E Aggrey-Quashie, the closure of the unit will take effect from Thursday, January 14 to Thursday February 4, 2021, to allow the exercise to take place.

    The GAF explained, “the closure has become necessary to enable the authorities undertake fumigation as a remedy to any infestation of the Unit. It is worth mentioning that measures have been put in place to ensure patients already on admission are not negatively affected.”

    “However, the general public is advised to redirect all medical and emergency cases to other health facilities during the period. This is for the guidance and information of the general public,” the statement added.

    The GAF however said any inconvenience the closure of the unit might cause to the general public is regrettable.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Military begins fumigation of installations

    The Ghana Military Command has started a nationwide fumigation and disinfection of all military installations across the country.

    The exercise, being carried out in collaboration with Zoomlion, began in Ho last Tuesday and intended to rid the barracks and all other installations of possible threat and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Military installations including barracks, in Kumasi took their turn yesterday.

    The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Suame, Dr John Osei Bobbie Boahene, said the exercise was also to position the military psychologically and to put personnel in good stead for national assignments, including the December general election.

    Support

    Dr Boahene said the government was ready to offer all kinds of support for the military to protect the country against any external aggression and secure the lives of citizens.

    “I wish to commend the President for the show of leadership and steadfastness in the wake of the pandemic,” he said.

    He said the exercise, which is expected to last throughout the week, would also strengthen and solidify the bond between government and the military.

    Central command

     

    The General Officer Commanding the Central Command in the Ashanti Region, Brigadier General Joseph Aphour, said the men and officers of the military were ready to defend the territorial integrity of Ghana.

    “We are highly excited at the support by both the government and Zoomlion to rid both the installations and educational institutions of rodents and infections,” he said.

    He called for a united Ghana and a peaceful co-existence with all persons to ensure the nation experienced a steady development.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Mahama vows to establish a new medical research centre, improve 37 military hospital when voted as president

    Flagbearer of the leading opposition party, John Dramani Mahama has said he will establish another medical research centre with capacity like the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, as well as double the bed capacity of 37military hospital when voted as president in the 2020 elections.

    The former president said the development will be part of a national infectious disease response plan under his watch.

    The plan, according to him, will clearly set out the specific steps to be taken to prevent the entry of such diseases, quickly arrest them at a very early stage even if they do enter our shores and reduce their impact to the barest minimum.

    Mr. Mahama averred that under the plan, he, as president will work to double the capacity of the 37 military hospital, build an infectious diseases centre at the facility to cater for the Southern sector to manage infections like Ebola and COVID-19.

    ”I have previously stated that given the opportunity, I will ensure that we establish another medical research centre with capacity like the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) in the Northern part of Ghana as part of the Response Plan,”

    ”Under the plan, we will double the bed capacity of the 37 military hospital and build an Infectious Diseases Centre there to cater for the Southern sector in order to help manage infections like Ebola and COVID-19,” the former president said.

    In an Easter message sighted by ABC News, Mr. Mahama said Ghana has reached a difficult spot in the fight against COVID-19 hence the need for the future plan but added that the country will pull through the difficulties.

    ”From the latest statistics and escalation in numbers, it is clear we are in a difficult spot in the battle to contain COVID-19. But together we can overcome the uncertainties of the moment. The latest revelation that 57.1% of infected persons have no history of foreign travel is particularly worrisome. It implies that we may have begun to experience community transmission of the virus,” he said.

    Source: ABCNewsgh.com

  • Were probing allegations against 37 Military Hospital staff Ghana Armed Forces

    The Ghana Armed Force has said that it is investigating a viral video in which a complainant made several allegations against some members of staff of the 37 Military Hospital.

    “The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to inform the general public and especially patrons of the hospital that preliminary investigations have already commenced into the matter, with the view of ascertaining the full facts. Based on the outcome of the investigations, the Hospital management would take the requisite action in line with its rules and regulations”

    This statement comes after one Emmanuel accused 37 Military Hospital staff of causing the death of his brother, Solomon Asare Kumah.

    The Ghana Armed Force further assured all patients, families, and patrons of the Hospital of offering professional service to patients at all times.

    “In the meantime, we wish to assure all patients, families, and patrons of the Hospital of our best endeavours to offer professional services at all times.”

    Below is the statement from the Ghana Armed Forces

     

    Source: citinewsroomÂ