Health insurance subscribers in Ashanti Region dread return to “cash and carry” as private service providers suspend services over capitation controversy. 30-01-12

Subscribers of health insurance in the Ashanti Region will from Wednesday pay upfront for services at private health facilities.

It follows the decision of members of the Private Medical and Dental Society to suspend health insurance in protest of the piloting of capitation.

The group says it took the decision because of the refusal by the National Health Insurance Authority to withdraw the scheme until concerns of providers are addressed. 

Statistics indicate over 65 percent of the region’s subscribers seek health care at private facilities.

Some residents who spoke to Nhyira News describe the situation as “unfortunate”. 

They call on government to swiftly intervene to salvage the already precarious health delivery system before things get out of hand.

Dr. Kwame Antwi is Secretary of the Private Medical and Dental Society.

He tells Nhyira News though group’s decision has dire consequence to subscribers, members have no other choice under the circumstance.

End                                                           Story: Kofi Asante Ennin 

Former NHIS Manager calls for the immediate suspension of Capitation From: Kofi Asante Ennin/Nhyira Fm-Kumasi

The Municipal Chief Executive for Ejisu-Juabeng, Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh, is suggesting suspension of the piloting health insurance capitation in the Ashanti Region.

He describes as confusing and frustrating the ordeal patients and service provides have been subjected to just four days into implementation.

Mr. Yamoah-Ponkoh thinks authorities must re-strategize for a smoother take off.

The former Regional Manager of the NHIS in Ashanti says the policy is good but it requires more public education to succeed.

Piloting of the capitation scheme was officially rolled effective January 1, 2012 to provide a platform for subscribers to choose their own convenient health providers.

The move according to officials is to create healthy competition among providers for a proper healthcare delivery.

However implementation has been chaotic so far, with private service providers boycotting the project.

Mr. Yamoah-Ponkoh says the scheme is likely to do more harm than good under the current circumstances.

He says the Health Insurance Authority is a corporate entity, and government cannot be blamed for the development.

LABOUR EXPERTS CHARGE GOV’T TO CREATE AVENUES TO ADDRESS GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT.18-5-11

Government is being asked to put proper structures in place to make majority of the country’s graduates self-employed. 

Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regional President of the Association of the Ghana Industries, Nana Asante Frempong says students should be given the right training and orientation to make them self-reliant after school.

He says government fiscal policy should also ensure low interest loans are available for business start-up. 

International Labour Organization defines unemployment as numbers of the economic active population who are without work but available for and seeking work. 

It also includes people who have lost their jobs and those who have voluntarily vacated their post.

Statistics

show the current unemployment rate in Ghana is estimated at over 11 per cent with graduate unemployment hovering around 27 percent.

Though man

y labour experts have expressed worry over the growing canker government and stakeholders appear helpless about the situation.

Nana Frempong believes self-employment especially of young graduates is key to halting moral decadence in the country.

“There must 

be a good match between the industries and the institutions as well as needs of the Ghanaian society. Everybody want to be in banking and other areas where money could be made overnight after graduation…….and this is the problem” he emphasized.

Story By: Kofi Asante Ennin/Nhyira Fm-Kumasi

Kumasi Zoo under threat, odour from sewage drives patrons away

 The Kumasi Zoological Garden faces imminent collapse due to poor drainage system and sewage management.

Officials say offensive smell from liquid waste running thorough the facility poses a health threat to staff and patrons.

The Kumasi Zoo was established in 1957 by the Asanteman Council as part of efforts to conserve nature. The council strategically sited the facility at the centre of the city for easy access.

Mammals, reptiles, birds and other animal species provide pleasure for patrons of the facility who obviously pay the bills.

Ghanaian children who visit the garden currently pay one Ghana cedi, while admission fee for adults is Gh¢2.50p. For foreigners, it is Gh¢5.00 and Gh¢2.50p respectively for adults and children.

Now the fortunes of the zoo are changing for the worse.

Rapid urbanization has robbed it of its natural surroundings, due to increasing commercial and industrial activities.

Liquid waste and running water from areas like Ashanti New Town, Bantama and Race Course Market flow into a nearby stream, and sometimes floods the swampy sections of the zoo.

Officials and workers suspect waste from the Komfo Anokye Hospital Mortuary also runs into the same course.

Hospital authorities however say the liquid waste from the mortuary never flows in that direction, even though they admit other forms of waste do.

This development also threatens the survival of some wildlife by denying them a conducive habitat. The foul smell is enough to scare people away from this gold mine of a tourist attraction. Theft of animals is one of the challenges confronting zoo managers.

About 78,000 patrons visited the zoo in 2009, bringing over 79, 000 Ghana cedis in revenue. Last year, the number of visitors dropped to 59, 000, but due to an upward review of rates the zoo realized over 100, 000 Ghana cedis.

General Manager, Festus Agya Yaw, says under the current circumstances, relocation of the zoo is the best option to save it from collapse. 

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Chief Executive, Samuel Sarpong tells Nhyira News the Department of Urban Roads has completed feasibility studies for reconstruction of the drains.

Story By: Kofi Asante Ennin/Nhyira Fm-Kumasi

Street Preachers take over Kumasi Central Business District ahead of X’mas 15-12-11

The central business district of the Ashanti Regional Capital, Kumasi has been invaded by street preachers.

The phenomenon which has persisted for some time now appears to have become more pronounced as Christmas approaches.

Observers however wonder whether these are genuine propagators of the gospel or glorified beggars who are polluting the environment of the same people they take money in the name of offertory.

They are everywhere, especially, areas with a high concentration of human traffic; Adum, Asafo Neoplan Station, Kejetia and other places.

The supposed messengers of the gospel, male and female, sometimes clash aggressively over space considered strategic to attract the compassionate.

They mount huge public address systems at vantage points on pavement with long electrical cables stretching across streets.

Pedestrians are sometimes entangled by the cable, with the attendant danger of electrocution or at best falling.

Noise pollution according to experts is one of the most hazards of modern times because it invades our personal spaces in ways which are difficult to define. 

Government and other regulatory bodies over the years have made some attempt to address the menace but it appears their efforts have not been enough.

The noise from the loud speakers used by the preachers for music and sermons is unbearable to the same people they target.

As few of them genuinely preach the gospel, many are those who have become professional beggars with choices.

 Most of them put a figure to how much they expect assers-by to pay as offertory.

Residents are unsure how to deal with what many believe is a nuisance. While some think they should be ignored others call for immediate measures to regulate their activities.

Principal Environmental Officer in charge of Noise at KMA, Isaac Bassanyin, says the assembly is in the process of registering all potential noise makers.   

If this preaching palaver is done right and, more particularly, in the right location, perhaps we can turn this subject into a niche attraction.

After all, the Bible says in Isaiah 32 verse 18, that my people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings and in a quiet resting place.

End                                                                                                                                                        Story: Kofi Asante Ennin

Kumasi police kill trader to the displeasure of youth

“All Die Be Die” Movement outdoored in Kumasi 19-10-11

A new political and social pressure group, known as All Die Be Die Movement, has emerged in Kumasi. 

The pro-NPP group seeks to educate the public on constitutional and electoral rights as well as party flagbearer,Nana Akufo Addo’s  “All Die Be Die” phrase.

Members believe these will help protect the country’s democracy through peaceful election, especially in 2012.

Spokesman, Kwame Asamoah Boateng says Nana Addo’s ‘’All Die Be Die” declaration has been misinterpreted by political opponents. 

The movement, formed earlier this year, claims to have branches across the country. 

Mr. Asamoah Boateng calls on the Electoral Commission to strengthen its collaboration with political parties to prevent doubts about the outcome of elections next year. 

Story By: Kofi Asante Ennin/Nhyira FM-Kumasi