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  • 9/28/2023
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Transcript
00:00:00 It's another brilliant new day, honestly, man is tired already.
00:00:04 It's been a grueling week and I've been telling you a bit about an experience yesterday on
00:00:09 the Temamoto East Strait.
00:00:10 But from wherever you are joining us on the AM Show this morning, good morning to you
00:00:14 and thank you for joining the conversation with moi, Benjamin Akakbo.
00:00:19 And here's what you can expect on the show this morning.
00:00:21 Right after the news, we slice and dice the newspapers in the News Review and we'll be
00:00:25 doing that with Maxwell Lukoto, NDC's parliamentary candidate-elect for South Tonga.
00:00:31 And then right after that, Muftahu Nabila Abdullahi will be serving us sports the way
00:00:35 he does it every day.
00:00:38 And then we get into the big stories.
00:00:39 Now two major issues we have on the chopping board today.
00:00:42 One, the Kolibu Teaching Hospital.
00:00:44 It has blamed the high cost of taxation for the recent increment in the cost of dialysis.
00:00:50 You know it's moved from over 300 Ghana cities to about 800 Ghana cities.
00:00:55 The hospital increased the cost per session for persons with kidney conditions by over
00:01:00 100%.
00:01:02 Now speaking to Joy News, Mr. Salifu of the Kolibu Teaching Hospital indicated that government
00:01:07 used to exempt the institution from paying some importation duties and related taxes.
00:01:13 But as of last year, the hospital's facilities of the unit were no longer entitled to those
00:01:19 benefits.
00:01:20 So we'll be delving into what that really means for those with kidney issues.
00:01:25 And of course, we'll also have a doctor in the studio to tell us about what causes kidney
00:01:29 ailments and how we can avoid them.
00:01:33 But then on the second belt, what is where my concern is.
00:01:36 In recent times, I've been using the Temamoto way a lot.
00:01:40 In fact, yesterday I would have used it later at night if not for using the beach road instead.
00:01:46 It's become a horrifying experience.
00:01:49 Many commuters have complained about how their tires have got burst while on the stretch.
00:01:54 Well, we're on the stretch this morning for up to the minute reports on the state of the
00:02:00 Temamoto way.
00:02:01 A death trap or some instrument to lead you to your destination.
00:02:05 We'll be finding out.
00:02:07 We also offer you the opportunity to have your say with us this morning as we'd always
00:02:11 do.
00:02:12 Join us with your thoughts on these issues via the live stream, via social media or at
00:02:15 the tail end when we activate the phone lines.
00:02:17 So you know what?
00:02:19 Just chill, relax, stay with me.
00:02:21 I'll serve you this morning on the AM show.
00:02:23 We'll be back with the news.
00:02:24 (music)
00:02:53 Let's get into the news now.
00:02:54 And in our first story, when lack of hospital beds resulted in a delayed surgery for Rachel
00:03:00 and Peter's son causing permanent disability, they channeled the situation into an avenue
00:03:06 to help other parents and their children.
00:03:09 Their son, who's unable to walk now, is also part of the move.
00:03:14 Here's the touching story put together by Hannah Otame.
00:03:18 (music)
00:03:26 When I go to church, I pray that one day I will walk.
00:03:30 Nine-year-old Cornelius Kwabena Adom, who loves to sing and play the keyboard, was born
00:03:36 with a deformity.
00:03:38 Diagnosed with Spina Bifida from birth, his parents got a shock when they were told their
00:03:44 son may not be able to walk if a repair surgery was not done on him in the first 14 days of
00:03:51 his life.
00:03:52 They came for assessment and they were telling us the surgery to sometimes after doing this
00:03:57 it's either sometimes you lose the lower limbs and other things.
00:04:02 So it wasn't easy.
00:04:03 It was easy for both of us and the family, but we tried our best to trust and pray.
00:04:10 Spina Bifida can happen anywhere along the spine if the neural tube does not close all
00:04:15 the way.
00:04:17 When this happens, the backbone that protects the spinal cord doesn't form and close as
00:04:23 it should.
00:04:25 Rahel Adom, mother of Cornelius and a nurse, read all about this illness and knew about
00:04:31 the consequences and so she quickly gathered the 3,000 CDs needed for the surgery before
00:04:38 the ultimatum given by the doctors aspired.
00:04:42 But getting a bed at the Kolibu Teaching Hospital for the surgery became the bane.
00:04:48 After waiting for a month, he had a blood infection which had to be treated first.
00:04:54 When that was done and the repair surgery was about to be conducted, it was too late
00:04:59 and Cornelius was left with no luxury of walking.
00:05:03 All the doctors could do was close the bulge at his back and a shunt placed in his skull
00:05:09 to prevent his head from becoming enlarged as well as to prevent fluid from entering
00:05:15 his head.
00:05:16 At the end of the day, I was doing perfectly because we were trusting God.
00:05:25 So I think from day one after the surgery, we have been communicating to him.
00:05:29 Before he would even be born, their father named him Cornelius.
00:05:32 I even spoke to Cornelius, you are going to be great because Cornelius in the Bible was
00:05:36 a great man.
00:05:37 He was an army commander.
00:05:38 So no matter whatever you are going through, you will survive.
00:05:41 After experiencing the dire circumstances under which parents face, Rahel and her husband
00:05:48 founded the Challenged Children Foundation to aid children and parents alike.
00:05:54 We have the cerebral palsy, the autism, the disability to those who cannot walk like Cornelius,
00:06:00 but the autism and cerebral palsy are more.
00:06:03 So how are you taking care of all of them?
00:06:05 By the grace of God.
00:06:07 We manage.
00:06:08 My husband and the family have to cut down on expenses and come down to help them.
00:06:12 Sometimes we buy rice and we buy things and we share for them.
00:06:16 I just, or let's have a food bazaar or whatever.
00:06:20 We cook and they come around to eat and we package some for them.
00:06:24 And my husband was so understandable when I told him that why don't you set a foundation
00:06:28 to help.
00:06:29 We can legalize it.
00:06:30 People will come on board.
00:06:31 Probably where our strength cannot reach, with our family and friends, we can come together.
00:06:35 Usually it is thought the fathers aren't that supportive when such incidences happen.
00:06:42 But Peter Jermina Adam, father of Cornelius, is different.
00:06:48 When we started sending him to VCO, it's only the women who bring their children.
00:06:53 No man.
00:06:54 But sometimes I go with them.
00:06:57 So it is then I realize that it is the women who are suffering, who are taking care of
00:07:01 a child.
00:07:02 All the men, you don't see them around.
00:07:03 So now that you have seen it, what have you got to tell them?
00:07:07 Oh, I'm telling the men that they don't have to abandon their children.
00:07:11 It is not their fault.
00:07:13 So they have to at least love them, do whatever they can to support them.
00:07:20 Cornelius, who desires to visit the Great Wall of China, says though his back always
00:07:25 aches, he is grateful to his friends and family who always make him happy.
00:07:30 I did not know why I could not walk.
00:07:33 So I decided to encourage myself by playing the keyboard.
00:07:38 And I also decided to encourage others that if I can make it, all of the disability people
00:07:45 can make it.
00:07:47 And I believe that they can make it and make it well.
00:07:50 Say hello.
00:07:52 Rahel has dedicated her life to helping children with a disability enjoy the good things of
00:07:58 life.
00:07:59 And Mr. Adum wants everyone to know that disability is not a curse.
00:08:05 It is not easy taking care of such children.
00:08:09 It needs to take both the two.
00:08:10 You have to be behind the women, support them, and then make sure that they will have a better
00:08:16 life.
00:08:17 We give you glory, Lord, as we honor you.
00:08:22 Hannah Odomi for JOYNEWS.
00:08:26 You are worthy, O Lord.
00:08:29 You are wonderful.
00:08:34 Now the Amir and missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission at Ghana Al Hajj,
00:08:40 Mualana Nua Mohammed Bin Salih, is worried about how frequent changes in government
00:08:45 hamper effective implementation of educational policies.
00:08:49 Speaking at the 6th congregation of the Nusrat Jahan College of Education, he said the rapid
00:08:54 expansion, changing paradigm of teaching and learning as well as limited resources have
00:08:59 led to declining quality of education in the country.
00:09:04 Rafik Salam was at the congregation and now reports.
00:09:08 The 6th congregation of the Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education was held on
00:09:13 the theme "Quality Inclusive Education, the Role of the New Bachelor of Education Teacher".
00:09:19 Amir, a missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, alleging Mualana Nua
00:09:24 Mohammed Bin Salih that education is undoubtedly the biggest instrument for not only academic
00:09:31 progress but for social mobilization as well as political survival and the effective national
00:09:37 development of the country.
00:09:40 He therefore called on all stakeholders, including teachers, parents and community members, to
00:09:45 work closer to achieve that agenda.
00:09:48 Mualana Nua Mohammed Bin Salih, who also doubles as the chairman of the government council
00:09:54 of Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education, noted that frequent changes in educational
00:09:59 structures and policies as and when there is a change in government do not allow the
00:10:04 successful implementation of educational policies, rather it cheekily degrades the
00:10:12 sustainable consolidated standards in education.
00:10:14 This sentence is distinguished today by the fact that the Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College
00:10:21 of Education has been a leader in the field of education for more than 50 years.
00:10:28 The Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education has been a leader in the field of education
00:10:35 for more than 50 years.
00:10:37 The Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education has been a leader in the field of education
00:10:44 for more than 50 years.
00:10:46 This is deduced from the fact that rapid expansion, changing paradigms of teaching and learning,
00:10:56 as well as limited resources, have often led to the declining quality of education in many
00:11:06 countries, and we therefore must be wary of this.
00:11:11 The Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education was established in 1982.
00:11:17 The college has a taxation of being one of 15 institutions designed in 2007 to offer
00:11:24 specialized training in technical, science, and mathematics.
00:11:28 It is also one of the few colleges in the country that admits visually impaired students,
00:11:34 training them to be educators.
00:11:36 Acting principal of the college, Abdul Mumin Abdul Aziz, exhaled the success of the college
00:11:43 over the years, lessening it with challenges which included small infrastructure projects
00:11:49 impeding conducive teaching and learning.
00:11:52 After the initiation of this project in 2008, which was supposed to promise us, or which
00:12:01 would promise to be, the nerve center of academics, discourse, cultural events, and the pivotal
00:12:11 college functions, was intended to complete in 2012.
00:12:16 Unfortunately, we are in 15 years since its inception, and it is still undergoing construction.
00:12:27 The classroom complex is a three tier structure that will house 24 state of the art classrooms
00:12:36 and 45 offices offering advanced learning experience.
00:12:42 It was initiated in 2013 and partially funded by the college through ITF.
00:12:51 The project remains incomplete due to the delay of payment from Texas.
00:12:57 Apostolic Minister Dr. Abidzim Nsali expressed worry over the poor training of teachers,
00:13:04 which has resulted in their inability to impact on the lives of the pupils in their classes.
00:13:09 It is sad to know that some teachers in our classes are poorly trained and therefore cannot
00:13:18 positively impact the lives of their pupils, thereby affecting the quality of education
00:13:27 in Ghana.
00:13:29 This strongly raises the question of the quality of teachers, the quality of teacher training
00:13:36 in our colleges.
00:13:38 Let me use this occasion to appeal to our colleges of education to implement measures
00:13:45 to ensure quality teacher education.
00:13:48 A total of 203 students graduated with Bachelor of Education degree.
00:13:54 Two persons among them had first class honours.
00:13:58 Reporting for JL News, Rafik Salaam.
00:14:01 Staying on education, the University of Cape Coast has for the third consecutive time maintained
00:14:10 the number one spot as the best university in Ghana and West Africa.
00:14:15 That's according to the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings released on Wednesday.
00:14:21 At a news conference at the university, Vice-Chancellor of that institution, Professor Johnson,
00:14:26 Nyaku Bwampung, said the university would work to sustain the gains made so far.
00:14:31 Richard Kwejtunyaku has more in this report.
00:14:34 Ladies and gentlemen, I'm delighted to announce that this year too, the University of Cape
00:14:43 Coast has retained its position as the top most ranked university in Ghana and West Africa.
00:14:53 And among the top ten universities in Africa, taking the position of seven among the African
00:15:08 universities.
00:15:09 Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Johnson, Nyaku Bwampung, announcing
00:15:14 the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings at a news conference at the university
00:15:21 in Africa shortly after the rankings were released on Wednesday.
00:15:24 UCC has also maintained its position as one of the leading research intensive universities
00:15:31 globally.
00:15:32 UCC has so emerged as a strong institution of higher learning in this year's ranking.
00:15:46 The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is used by many key higher education
00:15:53 stakeholders for decision making and other things.
00:15:57 The Times Higher Education World University Rankings data are used by governments, universities,
00:16:04 and are a vital resource to aid students in choosing their preferred tertiary institution
00:16:11 to study.
00:16:12 The rankings are also widely used by faculty to inform career decisions, by university
00:16:19 leaders to help set strategic priorities, and by government to help monitor policy formulation
00:16:27 and implementation.
00:16:28 Some founders also use the rankings for institutional funding decisions, while other regional and
00:16:36 global tertiary education bodies use it to form key institutional collaboration networks.
00:16:44 In the 2022 and 2023 rankings, the university earned the Braggan right as the best university
00:16:51 in Ghana, the best in West Africa, the fourth best university in Africa, and the best university
00:16:57 globally for research influence.
00:17:00 In the 2024 ranking, the university has still been ranked as the best university in Ghana
00:17:06 and West Africa, and slipped marginally from the fourth position in Africa to the seventh
00:17:11 position due to the new methodology used.
00:17:13 This places the university at a huge pedestal, an achievement that no university in Ghana
00:17:19 has struck before.
00:17:20 The boss of the university's Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Consultancy,
00:17:25 Professor David Teiduku, has been explaining the new methodology used in this year's rankings
00:17:30 and how they are ranked straight ahead of their peers in Ghana.
00:17:33 Look at the rankings in Africa, I realize that there has been a lot of changes in the positions
00:17:39 because of the introduction of the new methodology.
00:17:44 So we think that this is an improvement overall, even though last year the methodology they
00:17:53 used were fourth, this year we are seventh.
00:17:57 We can say that in essence if you normalize as the statisticians say, the methodology
00:18:03 we have improved.
00:18:04 Our university is the only university outside South Africa that is in the top 17 universities
00:18:16 in Africa.
00:18:23 Our closest competitor in Ghana ranks 32th.
00:18:29 We want to work on the areas that we need to double our efforts so that we can continue
00:18:39 to be the best university in Ghana and West Africa.
00:18:44 In fact, if the methodology had not changed, we are anticipating that we are going to be
00:18:50 about the first or second in Africa.
00:18:52 The university hopes to sustain the gains made and improve upon its position globally
00:18:56 every year.
00:18:57 Reporting for JOYNEWS, Richard Kwejinyakun.
00:19:04 The new patriotic party in the Tema West constituency says it will resist any attempt by the opposition
00:19:10 National Democratic Congress to register non-constituents in the ongoing limited voter registration
00:19:16 exercise.
00:19:17 The warning comes after the party accused NDC of busing about 700 registrants to the
00:19:22 centre at Community 2 last Sunday.
00:19:25 Correspondent Kwame Yanka has more in this report.
00:19:28 There is similar tension between the new patriotic party NDP and the National Democratic Congress
00:19:34 NDC in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise in the Tema West constituency as
00:19:40 the former accuses the latter of busing close to 700 non-constituents to register.
00:19:46 NDP fears such moves could sway presidential and parliamentary results in favour of NDC
00:19:52 in the 2024 general election.
00:19:56 Tema West MP Piché Kweisi Poku Bosempem says the NDC is desperate to win their seat in
00:20:04 the area but this can only remain a dream.
00:20:06 My argument is that people of Tema West should be able to decide who becomes their MP.
00:20:13 You understand?
00:20:14 You don't let people from outside decide for us.
00:20:17 The original chairman was on air saying that Tema West and Yawasu West, they've sat in
00:20:22 a meeting that a shaman has over 40,000 votes more than the MPP.
00:20:26 So they want to pass them here.
00:20:28 Not under my watch.
00:20:30 That one, I won't agree.
00:20:31 You see, the procedure is something else.
00:20:34 They will tell you to challenge.
00:20:36 They always lie on you to prove the person doesn't stay here.
00:20:39 So for me, if they do that, I won't agree.
00:20:41 That process to go, that one I'm in pain, I'm in tears, I won't agree.
00:20:45 Today that they are bringing Tema people, nobody, for now there's peace and calm.
00:20:48 The only problem is that they send a signal to the NDC that Tema West is not one of their places.
00:20:54 They should do these things in K2 South, K2 North, not here.
00:20:57 In a quick response, Tema West termined for NDC.
00:21:01 Malam Issa Mohammed denied this claim as he was out of town on the day.
00:21:06 He however says the party had been providing transport to residents who may be far from
00:21:12 the registration centre.
00:21:14 I have a call that, because they have seen a large number in the shade.
00:21:21 So they came and said that no, these people are not Ghanaians, they are not from Tema West.
00:21:28 I don't know, they said they're from Kubekuru.
00:21:30 We never ask anybody from different angle to bring it here.
00:21:35 Because we know we have the numbers in our constituency.
00:21:38 So we are dealing with our constituency to bring our people here to come and do registration.
00:21:43 You see, it's a strategy they are doing.
00:21:46 Because they are trying, if not, how can the so-called national security come and block
00:21:53 the EC people not to do their work.
00:21:55 Can you imagine?
00:21:57 Unless the police intervene before they allow the people to do their work.
00:22:02 It's unfortunate.
00:22:04 By me, it's God, only God that make me that day.
00:22:07 I am not in town.
00:22:09 The MPP chairman could have known that or he could have seen that he has met her.
00:22:13 Municipal Electoral Officer for Tema West, John Nunu says the process has been without
00:22:18 any major challenge.
00:22:20 He asked Yamiye Swapim Foundation to encourage registrants to check their details during
00:22:26 the exhibition phase.
00:22:28 I was called and I rushed to the office.
00:22:31 When I came, in fact there were a lot of people and that they said who were ready for registration.
00:22:38 But I understand the MPP guys were saying that the people that came were not residents
00:22:50 of Tema West and therefore they are not going to allow them to register.
00:22:56 In fact, it became a banter between MPP and NDC.
00:23:02 But through the assistance of the police, we were able to calm them down and we explained
00:23:10 to them that per the registration rules, you cannot prevent anyone from registering.
00:23:19 Meanwhile, founder and president for Yamiye Swapim Foundation, Robert Richard Swapim,
00:23:25 has called for calm to ensure the registration exercise ends peacefully.
00:23:30 So the foundation actually was set up in Tema West with a focus on health, education, music
00:23:40 and other social interventions.
00:23:42 So basically to answer your question, yes we are here to call for peace and calm.
00:23:47 But as we all know, you do not go to the chief palace empty handed.
00:23:53 So coming here, we have taken it upon ourselves to ensure that at least everybody here is
00:24:02 going to be having a hot meal, of course with a dessert, ice cream as a dessert, right?
00:24:11 Then after, water and the others.
00:24:16 That will make a complete meal.
00:24:18 Robert Richard Swapim urged residents in the queue to ensure they are registered to enable
00:24:24 them to exercise their constitutional rights.
00:24:27 Kwame Yankes reports for Joy News.
00:24:30 In our next story, the president of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Alhaj Daoud Suleymana
00:24:38 Mahama, is asking the valuation and the state surveying division to collaborate with environmental
00:24:44 scientists, policy makers and other stakeholders to develop sustainable strategies to protect
00:24:50 the environment while promoting economic growth.
00:24:53 He says Ghana's economic growth is causing environmental degradation and the loss of
00:24:58 biodiversity.
00:25:00 Alhaj Daoud Suleymana Mahama made this call at the 2023 annual conference of the VES.
00:25:10 The theme of the conference, "Sustaining National Asset, the Environment and VES Profession
00:25:17 in Perspective" is aimed at building the capacity of surveyors on the ongoing green
00:25:22 building training program.
00:25:24 Alhaj Daoud Suleymana Mahama said VES must adopt a holistic approach that considers not
00:25:31 only the market value asset but also a long-term sustainability of the environment.
00:25:38 In this context, the role of the valuation and the state surveyor becomes even more important.
00:25:45 We must adopt a holistic approach that considers not only the market value of assets but also
00:25:52 a long-term sustainability of the environment in which these assets are placed.
00:25:58 Our decision should reflect a deep understanding of the ecological impact as we strive to balance
00:26:07 between the economic growth and environmental preservation.
00:26:13 To achieve this, the association will actively incorporate environmental considerations into
00:26:20 our valuation process.
00:26:22 Chairman of the Quantity Surveying Division, Surveyor Ajinma Mbedu assured the VES of its
00:26:30 support to guide them through any implementation challenges they might encounter.
00:26:37 As we are looking to the theme "Sustainable National Assets in a Professional Practice",
00:26:42 let us take a moment to reflect on the fully critical questions.
00:26:47 How has our professional service over the years affected the environment in terms of
00:26:52 positive impacts and sustainability?
00:26:56 As a valuation and estate surveying professional tasked with managing land and regulated assets,
00:27:02 how are we perceived by clients and the ordinary citizens of Ghana?
00:27:08 As professionals, how focus on aligning our services towards the attainment of the global
00:27:17 sustainable development goals?
00:27:19 In answering these questions, it is imperative that we strike a balance between the socio-economic
00:27:25 demands placed on us as professionals and our wavering commitment to upholding ethical,
00:27:30 ethical, and ethical sustainability of our national assets.
00:27:35 The Northern Regional Minister, Sani Al-Nahash and Shaibo said, "To develop a country,
00:27:41 Ghanaians must be conscious of preserving their national assets."
00:27:46 The theme for this year's conference, "Sustainable National Assets", the environment and evaluation
00:27:55 of estate surveying professionals' perspectives would not be more appropriate given our current
00:28:03 situation where we are trying to loosen our national assets due to our poor maintenance
00:28:11 culture.
00:28:13 It is my tenderly as a country come to the realization that in our way to develop, we
00:28:20 must be cautious and intentional about preserving national assets.
00:28:29 And that's the note on which we cap off the news this morning.
00:28:36 Thank you for staying, but do stay for a lot more because up next we serve you the news
00:28:40 review.
00:28:41 Up next.
00:28:43 (Music)
00:29:08 Thank you for staying with us.
00:29:10 Time now for us to get into the news review.
00:29:11 We host the NDC's parliamentary candidate to elect for South Tong.
00:29:17 Aha, he says I should always focus on the South.
00:29:20 Maxwell Lukotor, he's our guest.
00:29:21 Before I bring him into the fray, this segment always brought to you by Endpoint Homeopathic
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00:30:00 But I have this question for you.
00:30:03 Would have brought it to you in the news this morning.
00:30:06 I just want to run it by you.
00:30:08 It's something that we've discussed before, taxes.
00:30:11 But I ask.
00:30:13 Would you pay more taxes?
00:30:16 If there were some guarantee of better living.
00:30:21 So recently, of course, we heard of what some people call celebrity tax.
00:30:28 If you're a master of ceremonies or an influence on social media, then government wants to
00:30:36 tax you a bit the same way they are doing with betters.
00:30:39 10% for betters.
00:30:40 I don't know what percentage that would attract.
00:30:43 For some of us, major upscale gigs would attract the withholding tax of 7.5%.
00:30:49 But now they want to spread it across.
00:30:52 So everything you do, you'll be taxed on it.
00:30:56 What is your take on that?
00:30:58 Let me know via the live stream.
00:31:00 Join us on Facebook.
00:31:01 Let me say a very good morning now to Maxwell.
00:31:04 Good morning, Max.
00:31:06 Good morning, my brother.
00:31:07 How are you?
00:31:08 I'm well.
00:31:09 More taxes for better living.
00:31:11 What do you think?
00:31:15 Yeah, good morning.
00:31:17 First of all, let me commend you for remembering this up very, very well.
00:31:21 And to ask what your life is going to be like.
00:31:26 Anyway, we'll discuss that one later.
00:31:35 What do you think?
00:31:36 I want your life to be that way, I'm asking.
00:31:38 I want your life to be on me.
00:31:40 Yes.
00:31:41 Okay, let's do some watching.
00:31:43 That's okay.
00:31:49 So like you said earlier, it's always been a cliche that you can't tax people to prosperity.
00:31:56 And so you can't continue taxing people every day.
00:31:59 There are a lot of us who are taxed in different angles.
00:32:02 And so there should be some angles that you have some respite.
00:32:05 This entertainment industry, other things.
00:32:07 There are a lot of taxes that we accept on these individuals.
00:32:10 So why do we think that we should continue taxing them to the last boom of every fish they eat?
00:32:15 No, I don't think.
00:32:17 No tax person will tell you that you can tax people into prosperity.
00:32:21 Of course, a lot of the people should be brought into the tax net.
00:32:24 But it doesn't mean that every little thing anybody does would have to be taxed.
00:32:28 If you are not sure, very soon, even for a brief thing, you will be taxed for briefing.
00:32:33 And it's not the best situation we find ourselves.
00:32:36 Even though people would want to ask, what do you use the taxes that you are already taking to do?
00:32:42 They would want you to justify it before they think about paying more.
00:32:46 Of course, it is our responsibility as citizens to also inquire from government what we use our money to do.
00:32:54 If we see extravagance, if you see flamboyance in their style of living,
00:33:01 if one minister can have all that money in her bedroom,
00:33:05 and if you see things happening like it used to happen in the past,
00:33:08 where the president would be flying anywhere, anyhow, in very expensive and luxurious airplanes,
00:33:15 paying so much just for a trip, which can be done better because his other colleagues from other countries are doing the same,
00:33:22 then it puts you to think, why should we continue to pay more taxes to the government for them to go and use our money?
00:33:28 But you also realize that without taxes, completely without them, the country will run aground, right?
00:33:35 Yeah, my brother, so I said earlier that taxes are necessary for our growth.
00:33:40 And then I also continue to say that we can't tax people into prosperity.
00:33:44 Then I am also saying that people would want to ask you what you are already taxing them is being used for.
00:33:51 They would want to justify some of those things.
00:33:53 So if you take it and you are not using it for any reasonable thing and you want to take more,
00:33:58 will people be encouraged to pay more? No, I'm not sure they will do.
00:34:01 So you should be able to convince them that what I have is being used to construct your roads,
00:34:06 is being used to provide water, is being used to provide electricity at the very subsidized cost where you can pay,
00:34:13 and all those other things for you to be encouraged to say, oh, if I do this, my road in my corner will be fixed
00:34:18 because I saw my colleagues' one being fixed, mine will also be fixed.
00:34:21 I don't have to spend extra money myself going to buy gravels to come and fill my potholes when it rains.
00:34:27 My road becomes very messy and every day on the motorway I have to be buying shock absorbers.
00:34:32 That money that should be used in buying shock absorbers will be used to pay taxes if the motorway is fixed.
00:34:37 So for me, it's an egg issue.
00:34:40 Governments should be seen to be doing the things that citizens expect them to do
00:34:44 before we can also push further to want to pay the more taxes for them to use to do the things that...
00:34:50 I don't think in the West people complain so much when these taxes are imposed on them.
00:34:55 Most of us in Ghana, when we complain, our colleagues in our side will tell you,
00:34:58 this is normal in Europe, we do this, we pay this, we pay this.
00:35:02 But the issue is that the things they need have been fixed for them.
00:35:05 The deliverables, right.
00:35:06 We have to go out and pay them by ourselves.
00:35:09 Well, thank you for those...
00:35:10 That is the reason why you see us grumbling, we have to pay more of these taxes
00:35:15 because we don't see what they end up using it to do.
00:35:19 Thank you for those thoughts and I agree with you to a large extent.
00:35:23 It's not about how much you're paying, it's about the quality of life that your taxes would give you in return.
00:35:30 After all, that's why we elect a government, to provide certain things for us.
00:35:35 Most people wouldn't have...
00:35:37 You wouldn't have an airport, a private airport or something of the sort.
00:35:41 These are things, roads, usually it is the state that does these things.
00:35:46 Now we're talking about dialysis at the Kolibu Teaching Hospital,
00:35:50 which has moved from over 300 cities to about 800 cities,
00:35:54 all because taxes or waivers have been withdrawn and now they are facing the full thrust of taxation.
00:36:02 And we're taxing ourselves into everything.
00:36:04 Now it's impacting the health sector, it's impacting every sector and just making life pretty burdensome.
00:36:12 But we soldier on.
00:36:14 We don't throw in the towel, we'll keep soldiering on.
00:36:17 It reminds me of that lady who claims recently that she's been victimized at work.
00:36:25 The one who was at the demonstration put together by Democracy House.
00:36:31 The Occupy the Globby House demonstration.
00:36:32 Exactly. And what she said.
00:36:34 It broke my heart.
00:36:35 And now there are claims that she's been victimized at work, at least not substantiated, so I'll not go into it.
00:36:41 But that's what she's put out on social media.
00:36:43 Anyway, we'll see how things go.
00:36:45 Let's get into the Daily Graphic.
00:36:47 But don't forget, those of you watching us, to share your own thoughts with us via the social media stream.
00:36:53 The Daily Graphic 400 schoolchildren stranded, rainstorm rips off school roof.
00:36:59 And you can find this. I mean, I'm not trying to be insensitive to them,
00:37:08 but you would even find places where there are worse structures.
00:37:12 In fact, no structures and the trees and the rest.
00:37:15 So at least they have a little bit of a structure and the roof has been ripped off.
00:37:19 We pray that the right thing will be done. And as for the places that don't even have a structure.
00:37:25 God have mercy. Scrap Article 71. It's unfair.
00:37:28 TUC charges and Ghana on course for EU timber trade license.
00:37:33 That's according to the lands and natural resources minister.
00:37:36 And CJ advocates financial independence of judiciary.
00:37:41 All right. So let's get into the stories now.
00:37:44 This first one, the trade union Congress has joined the call for the special salary and emoluments dispensation given to office holders
00:37:52 under Article 71 of the 1992 Constitution to be scrapped, saying the provision is discriminatory.
00:37:59 The secretary general of the TUC, Dr. Anthony Yau Binh, said Article 71 had created a super class of people at the expense of others,
00:38:09 fueling discrimination and injustice against other classes of public sector workers.
00:38:14 Speaking at the Institute of Economic Affairs Constitutional Review seminar last Tuesday, Dr.
00:38:19 Bahr said, quote, Article 71 smacks of discrimination between the political elite and the people.
00:38:26 Why should some public servants be placed under Article 71 and others treated differently?
00:38:32 We must either amend or change the Constitution and scrap Article 71.
00:38:38 The TUC boss said Article 71 of the 1992 Constitution was also at variance with other provisions of the same constitution,
00:38:46 such as Article 24, which stipulates, quote, equal pay for equal work without distinction of any kind.
00:38:56 That's the story there. Let me quickly jump to page 13.
00:38:59 Do those two stories there and have you give your quick reactions, your summary reactions to them.
00:39:08 So the first one, the chief justice, Justice Gertrude Saki Tokonu, has bemoaned the lack of financial independence of the judiciary,
00:39:18 saying it was negatively affecting the work of the judiciary and ultimately justice delivery.
00:39:25 Justice Tokonu, who was speaking at the 2023 annual general meeting of the Association of Magistrates and Judges Ghana yesterday,
00:39:32 said although the 1992 Constitution protected the independence of the judiciary,
00:39:36 the service had no control over its financial administration.
00:39:40 Quoting Article 1271 of the 1992 Constitution, the chief justice said the Constitution had categorically insulated all activities of the judiciary,
00:39:50 including its financial administration from external control to protect its independence due to the sensitivity of its functions.
00:39:59 And she says, quote, How can we be an independent arm of government if we do not have control over our finances?
00:40:08 Is the cause is the constitutionally guaranteed institutional independence of the judiciary only a mirage?
00:40:15 So financially, they are not independent. And that is problematic.
00:40:20 Finally, 400 schoolchildren stranded, rainstorm rips off school roof and the fate of over 400 pupils of the Manli Dada Basic and African Unity Schools
00:40:30 in the La Dada Kotopo municipality hangs in the balance after a rainstorm destroyed their classrooms.
00:40:37 A nine unit classroom block and adjoining offices at the African Unity School were destroyed in May this year,
00:40:43 but they have not seen any renovation yet. May when September.
00:40:49 So the school and its roof and you can see rainwater even collecting in the classrooms,
00:40:55 the CJ and financial independence of the judiciary and Article 71. Your take, Maxwell.
00:41:03 Yeah, my brother, about the ripping off of the roof of the little children, their classroom.
00:41:11 It's unfortunate that this is our engineering arguments. I don't know whether we are through them.
00:41:16 And our conscience doesn't prick us when we do some of these things.
00:41:19 But it more tends to be what the supervisors would want to accept from these contractors who are doing this particular way.
00:41:28 Have you seen have you seen the recent building that collapsed somewhere in Fanko, I think?
00:41:34 Yes. It's also a lack of supervision. The quest to make money at every instance has taken over our sense of judgment and responsibility.
00:41:46 A lot of our people are thinking every day more of how they can make so much into their own pocket to the detriment of the quality of work they have to deliver.
00:42:00 Unfortunately, we have a system of checking some of these things, but the supervisors are worse off.
00:42:06 They would want to take that 20 percent, the 10 percent, the 15 percent from the contractor.
00:42:11 And so instead of using a particular thickness of the roofing sheet to roof, he may want to go down a little more.
00:42:19 Maybe you are supposed to use 4mm to go to the roofing, but you can take a 3.5mm.
00:42:30 Maybe the quality of wood that he has to use is not the right.
00:42:40 Well, it appears we're losing the connection to Maxwell Lukuto. We'll try to work it out and get him back on the show.
00:42:51 Maxwell, we lost you briefly. I got a lot of what you said about the 4mm to 3.5mm and all of that.
00:42:58 But briefly, your quick thoughts. Go ahead.
00:43:01 So again, I'm saying that if the supervisors do a good job and they supervise every aspect of the project, I'm not sure how this is going to be happening.
00:43:10 How many times have we seen very old buildings being ripped off or being affected by disaster in this nature?
00:43:17 It is rather the new ones that have been constructed that are getting affected every day.
00:43:21 So I think that if the supervisors do their job very properly, they can address some of these things.
00:43:26 And people should feel responsible if these things happen. A contractor is known, so he should be made to go back as quick as possible to go and repair these things.
00:43:35 Now, about the Article 71 workers, it's unfortunate that they are the masters of their game. They are the ones who set the rules.
00:43:42 And so TUC may want to complain, they will listen, but whether they're going to change is another matter.
00:43:48 So it's unfortunate, of course. No two workers can be the same. Yes, equal pay for equal work.
00:43:55 But it was until recently that we had this single-spine salary structure be designed and implemented for a class of people.
00:44:07 Unfortunately, in the past, you see every aspect, like the police, the teachers, the nurses, having their structure differently.
00:44:13 So gradually we are getting there. I just pray and hope that they will listen and also synchronise these things.
00:44:18 But I don't know how soon that will really happen. And so it's unfortunate.
00:44:24 The third issue is about the...
00:44:27 The Chief Justice and the financial strength.
00:44:30 Yeah, the Chief Justice. Unfortunately, our fear is that once they are given this independence to manage their finances,
00:44:40 even now the filing fees and the court fees that we pay are already high.
00:44:46 We wouldn't be too sure how things are going to go.
00:44:49 And so we are just scared that if they are given that kind of independence, things will also go off the rails.
00:44:54 But of course, I'm sure, being an arm of government, they're going to discuss that with the executive and also through the parliament,
00:45:01 so that we see how these things can be done.
00:45:03 But I don't know how many institutions... I'm not sure parliament has its own way of managing its finances.
00:45:08 They also depend on the executive to manage their finances.
00:45:12 And so I wouldn't be too sure how easy government or the executive arm is going to take this and to get it off for them.
00:45:19 I am not too sure. It's always been like, "Check me, let me check you."
00:45:22 And so I am not sure government or the executive arm is going to budge and to give them the financial independence that they may be seeking at this moment.
00:45:31 I'm not too sure.
00:45:32 Right. Let's get into some other stories very quickly.
00:45:35 The Ghanaian Times newspaper measures to ensure public health safety.
00:45:38 FDA to clamp down on media over promotion of unapproved medicines.
00:45:44 And unapproved medicines, if they are not approved, you don't go ahead and advertise them.
00:45:50 That's the bottom line. But some media houses, unfortunately, dabbling in that.
00:45:56 Here we have standards, of course, and we check for FDA approval.
00:46:00 And then there's 38th National Farmers Day to be held in the Western region and Ghana to save $2 billion in 2023 from external debt service suspension.
00:46:10 That's according to the governor. When all this talk comes through, sometimes I just ask myself, how does this affect the person on the street?
00:46:18 You know, even Kofi Brookman is no longer for you can't be broke and get Kofi Brookman, you know.
00:46:25 So all this talk we like and to save this and to do that.
00:46:29 How is it affecting the ordinary man? Zilch.
00:46:33 Police chase man for allegedly poisoning girlfriend to death.
00:46:37 So let's just do those stories very quickly. We'll go to page 11 and then let me see.
00:46:44 We'll do page three first. The police are on a manhand for a 22 year old Okada rider who allegedly poisoned to death his girlfriend.
00:46:53 That's Kransang in the Suhum municipality of the eastern region. The Okada rider, whose name has only been given as Akoko,
00:47:00 was the boyfriend of a 17 year old Matilda Dankwa, who recently completed or graduated from junior high school.
00:47:08 I don't know why we always use completed. What have they completed? Confirming the incident to journalists,
00:47:13 the assembly member for the area, Ransford Novo, said Dankwa became pregnant for the Okada rider,
00:47:18 and she refused to terminate the pregnancy when the suspect requested her to do so.
00:47:23 The assembly member said the suspect carried the girlfriend on his motorcycle and a few minutes later,
00:47:29 she was found dead with foam oozing out of her mouth.
00:47:34 And the police say they suspected foul play and appealed to the public to divulge any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect.
00:47:43 What a very dastardly act and a sad way to go.
00:47:50 Let's get to that story on page 11. The Food and Drugs Authority has said it will sanction media houses that promote
00:47:56 unapproved medicines as part of measures to ensure public health and safety.
00:48:01 Pursuant to section 129 of Act 85, quote, persons who contravenes were liable to summary convictions
00:48:11 or a fine not less than 7,500 penalty units and not more than 15 years and not more than 25 years imprisonment or both.
00:48:20 Pictured there, Dr. Deleuze, Mimi Darko, CEO of the FDA, would want them to be more active when it comes to such issues.
00:48:31 And it is good that they are highlighting some of them.
00:48:35 Let's let's quickly get into the daily guide and I'll let you respond, because these are pretty straightforward matters.
00:48:41 The daily guide says stay focused. We'll win. That's according to Bamiya.
00:48:46 And, of course, another story captured there. Kodjo Poku endorses Veep.
00:48:51 I saw that yesterday. Then Ken launches donation platform.
00:48:57 That story on page six. I don't know about Kodjo Poku.
00:49:01 Some of what he used to say and supporting maybe the front runner for the MPP's flag bearership.
00:49:09 But, well, I guess in politics is what they say. Sales shift depending on what happens at what time.
00:49:16 And this interesting story, Mahama Goh trolled over car quotation marks, bribe comment.
00:49:24 That story is on page six. And this is what it says. Joyce Bawa Mottari, an aide to former president John Romani Mahama,
00:49:32 was caught in the crossfire yesterday with tweets of media personality Nanaba Anamua over a picture of one of the saloon cars, not salon.
00:49:41 Salon is where you go to fix your hair. Saloon is the car.
00:49:45 Saloon cars supplied by the NDC in 2012 to lure University of Ghana students.
00:49:51 On September 25, 2023, Nanaba Anamua posted the picture with a caption, quote,
00:49:57 in 2012, by this time, the NDC was distributing this car on the Lagun campus.
00:50:01 Ironically, none of the male students got one. End of quote.
00:50:05 Well, this upset the ex-president's aide who reprimanded the TV personality and questioned her motives.
00:50:11 Joyce wrote, quote, What's the intent? Shame NDC ladies under a guy's tweet because some are being criticized for the silence,
00:50:18 for their silence in the face of today's hardship and poor leadership.
00:50:22 This shouldn't be coming from you, my sister. An avoidable tweet.
00:50:27 Anyway, those are the stories and the NDC also coming into the fray. Any thoughts?
00:50:34 Yeah, I want to put in drugs authority and on the media houses.
00:50:39 Yes, it's true that most media houses are struggling and they have to pay their workers.
00:50:45 It's always an issue how much we pay should not even be discussed at all.
00:50:50 So sometimes it could be extremes to want to do some adverts that they have not verified authenticity or otherwise.
00:50:57 Maybe license is on the food and drug authority. Right.
00:51:01 And they go ahead to do it. Big example is we also recently about this Makufa mixture where somebody just poured more
00:51:11 Coca-Cola and Fanta into a container labeled Makufa and give out to some media houses.
00:51:17 And then they went here while advertising and some to the extent that they themselves have experienced it.
00:51:22 That is good for performance in bed and these other things.
00:51:27 Unfortunately, most of these smaller media houses are corporate in issues of this nature to stay alive and up.
00:51:35 They go to the extent of everything to make money out of this.
00:51:41 But less to be able to sort out. And so I think that is a good thing.
00:51:46 If they put it in that authority, who was zooming into the media houses and make sure that those who do this is against the regulations of the nations are brought to book.
00:51:57 Unfortunately, these very people, when they do it, they decide to put it in that authority as approved.
00:52:03 This is that the advertising. So you ask yourself, where have they cited a provost, a ticket or whatever before they go ahead or some entities faking the certificate?
00:52:14 That could be another. Exactly. There are some entities that also fake a certificate and give to them and don't do their double checking from the FDA before they go ahead and do all this.
00:52:25 And for me, the intriguing aspect is that the media personalities themselves sometimes put themselves in their shoe.
00:52:31 They will say that I have tried it, I have tested it and I have found the potency and all that.
00:52:35 Meanwhile, they have not even taken a C4P. It's unfortunate. So some of this should be checked and it's good.
00:52:48 Right. Thank you, Maxwell, for your thoughts on that. We basically come to the end of the news review.
00:52:54 There's the story in the business find the fruit vegetable farmers must enhance intra Africa trade and quick loan services for access bank customers.
00:53:05 I believe that will bring us to the conclusion of the news review.
00:53:09 If you can hear me, Maxwell, do you have any final thoughts right before we wrap?
00:53:14 Yeah, of course, it's still about this registration exercise.
00:53:17 And I want to wish that people go up and ensure that the 80 year olds and above get registered for the limited registration exercise that is still ongoing.
00:53:26 I'm sure you end by Monday. And so people should be encouraged to do that.
00:53:30 And I bought this dialysis. I call it. It breaks my heart to hear some of this thing.
00:53:34 And for people to know that you have to do dialysis three times in a week and at least short, you have about seven hundred and thirty six.
00:53:44 It's it's it's it's it's so chilly. And so they have to do something about this.
00:53:52 There is not more, more, more, more people are going to die.
00:53:56 It's heartbreaking to hear all this. And it's unfortunate that the lady you spoke about earlier in the video spoke about how a teacher's word died because the dialysis machine broke down.
00:54:08 Right. And now out of nowhere, it's going to tell more on a lot of people.
00:54:16 It's unfortunate. Right. And of course, we know part of that is on the back of taxation.
00:54:22 Well, thank you, Maxwell, look at all for joining the conversation.
00:54:25 He, of course, is the NDC's parliamentary candidate elect for South at home.
00:54:30 He joined the conversation. Have a good day, Maxwell.
00:54:34 So right before we go, of course, shouts to Endpoint Homeopathic Clinic, they enable us to bring you the segment every day.
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00:55:17 And for the first time in a long while, Chelsea winning a match by a goal to nothing.
00:55:24 That's something to celebrate, right? The Blues. Sports is up next.
00:55:30 [Music]
00:55:56 Good morning. You're still watching the AM show and it's time for sports.
00:55:59 My name is Harun Ombaraka. Now, former Black Stars coach James Kwesi appears set to become the new coach of Sudan National Team after receiving permission from His Majesty,
00:56:09 Othumfo Osei Tutu II, which is to combine the job with his role at Asante Kotoko as technical director.
00:56:15 The coach was believed to have already accepted a return to Sudan this time as the national team coach, having initially coached club side Al Katoom.
00:56:24 Now on phone for more on this subject is my colleague Fifi Manfred of Insheera Sports.
00:56:30 Fifi, please, we know that Othumfo has given James Kwesi a pair of green lights to get a job in Sudan.
00:56:37 What more can you tell us?
00:56:38 It seems we are having some challenges with Fifi there.
00:56:49 OK, anyway, let's move on to our next story.
00:56:58 But let's still stay with Asante Kotoko because on the page they've had a slow start to the season with one draw and a loss, picking one point out of six.
00:57:07 Now, head coach Prosper Nartey Ogum, who won the league title for the club two seasons ago, says he needs time to build a formidable team for Kotoko.
00:57:15 The pocket points face Karelia United on Sunday.
00:57:19 We are building a team that can compete at any level.
00:57:25 And building a team that can compete at any level, you need some patience, you need some time to be able to do that.
00:57:32 I know the club I'm coaching is all about results, results, results, results.
00:57:37 But the results will come if we do the right things from the beginning.
00:57:43 And to me, as a technical staff, the practice and the IMC have done the right thing by trying to make sure that we build a formidable team.
00:57:53 So, they have to be patient.
00:57:55 They should look at the positives in the game.
00:57:58 I mean, apart from the results, at the end of the match, they should sit down and look at the positives.
00:58:06 Did we play well, let's say, from the back? Were we able to consolidate the possession in the middle of the pack?
00:58:13 And then, were we able to consolidate the possession in the middle of the pack and go to the final ten of the opponent?
00:58:19 Were we able to create the chances? And if we created the chances, were we able to hit some shots on targets?
00:58:26 How many of them were obviously supposed to be a goal ball? How many of them were contact chances?
00:58:33 These are the things. And I'm sure if they sit down in the comfort of their workplaces and their homes, wherever they are,
00:58:39 and they look at it from this point of view, they can easily tell whether the team is a hopeful team or it's not a hopeful team.
00:58:47 Prospanna Teogum, the head coach of Asante Kotokobahi Superior, the technical director of the club, is Kwesi Appiah,
00:59:00 who has accepted the role to become the head coach of the Sudan National Team. That was our earlier subject.
00:59:07 Now, on the phone now is Fifi Manfred. Fifi, can you hear me?
00:59:12 Yes, I can hear you.
00:59:13 Good, good. Fifi, so James Kwesi Appiah has accepted the job. He's met Othun for a set of two. What more can you tell us?
00:59:19 So, thank you very much. Good morning to all of you. So, James Kwesi Appiah has been with the Sudan National Team for a while now.
00:59:28 In fact, before the war had broken in Sudan, he was already in Sudan with them. Just before there was a fracture in Sudan and then football had to be on hold,
00:59:39 the discussion to become the Sudanese National Team manager had to be put on hold at the time.
00:59:45 Around that time, James Kwesi Appiah was speaking to some clubs in the Ghana football arena. He spoke to clubs like San Matek and the like.
00:59:53 But just when Othun Boa and Othun Boa had called him to become the technical manager for Kosovo, he decided to put everything else on hold.
01:00:01 And of course, the Sudanese were also on hold because football wasn't really the way for us to play football.
01:00:07 And so he took over the job as coaching director for Kosovo and to stay ahead of a lot of things, including the IS, and also to try and get us to appear with management committees and a few other things.
01:00:19 But immediately, the issue of the Sudanese football was taken over and there were records. He had to go back to Othun Boa and ask for his permission because they had already told him that that discussion was on hold.
01:00:31 So he met Othun Boa in London about two weeks ago, had a discussion with him, tried to keep his position.
01:00:38 Othun Boa, of course, had given him his blessing that he can leave and join the Sudanese National Team in Egypt and start preparations for the future.
01:00:46 So Othun Boa had given him his blessing, he had asked him if he wanted to go away, he can't.
01:00:50 He also asked him to exercise some oversight responsibility on the Qatar Company as Qatar's new IS is trying to put in together and so on and so forth for the future.
01:01:00 So yes, essentially Othun Boa has given him his blessing and he is going to leave Qatar's coaching directorate of the Sudanese National Team in Egypt.
01:01:08 Before I let you go Fifi, we know on a personal level, Koussi Appiah is contesting for the GFA Executive Council seat. Will this move affect his chances?
01:01:18 No, so at the start now, he is still going to try and contest.
01:01:23 I think a lot of the people are thinking of both. Michael, I'm asking this question to you.
01:01:37 I think that for a lot of the voters, they will not want to vote for Koussi Appiah for the Oceania. I think that by reason of the vote of the judges, perhaps we should decide on Koussi Appiah as the Managing Procurement Member for the Ghana Football Association.
01:02:03 Thank you very much Fifi. Fifi has given us the details on James Koussi Appiah's move to Sudan and of course his relationship with Assante Kotoko.
01:02:14 [Music]
01:02:41 Welcome on the first belt of our big stories and we kickstart the conversation with health.
01:02:47 Now, in recent times we've been told about dialysis treatment, if you like, which is going to move from a little over 300 cities to close to 800 cities, around 736 Ghana cities, over 100% increment.
01:03:02 But what does that really mean? We've heard from the PRO of the Kolibu Teaching Hospital, but today on the show we want to look at different dynamics of that issue.
01:03:13 One, what are the diseases that affect the kidney? What are the repercussions? How can we protect our kidneys so that we don't even get there?
01:03:23 But for those who have got there, what does this mean in terms of cost? We're dilating on all of these together with our guests.
01:03:31 We have Thomas Kan, he's been on dialysis for some 10 years. He'll be sharing his lived, real life experiences with us.
01:03:40 But for starters, we go to Dr. Elliot Karanteng Tano. He's a senior lecturer at the KNUSD, a senior specialist and consulting nephrologist at the Konfwanoche Teaching Hospital.
01:03:55 A very good morning to you, Doc. Thank you for joining the conversation.
01:03:59 A good morning to you too. I hope you are good.
01:04:01 I am very well. Well, let's get some education on our kidneys.
01:04:08 Most of us, I mean, unless we've had some surgical procedures, would have two of them.
01:04:13 What are the functions of the kidneys to start off?
01:04:16 All right. So thank you very much. And good morning also to your viewers and listeners.
01:04:21 So, yes, the kidney plays major roles, of course, in the body. And I keep saying that it is that organ that we don't tend to discuss a lot more about until Kolebu decides to post, you know, something for their patients.
01:04:36 And again, it gives me some excitement to take advantage, to educate people about kidney disease.
01:04:42 So, indeed, do you know, I mean, that before your blood, your body decides to make more blood to increase the level of your blood levels, it has to do with the kidney.
01:04:54 The kidney actually sends the signal that listen, maybe you are bleeding or maybe your blood levels have gone low.
01:05:00 So let's increase it. And that is why when people get kidney disease, one of the big challenges is that their blood levels are low.
01:05:06 And indeed, it happens to be one of the symptoms they tend to present with more often than not, because they're easily getting tired and dizzy and stuff like that.
01:05:14 The other thing the kidney does is that, of course, it helps you to control your blood pressure.
01:05:18 So if your blood pressure will stay normal, the kidney has a major role to play.
01:05:23 So one of the things they will present with is high blood pressure, which normally will present with maybe headaches and some palpitations.
01:05:30 They feel their heart beating and they really feel uncomfortable.
01:05:34 The common thing that we all know is that the kidney, of course, is that which helps you to make urine.
01:05:38 Of course, without your kidneys, you will not be peeing. And I think if you are able to wake up, I keep saying, and pee comfortably,
01:05:44 you should thank God because, you know, people like Thomas Kahn and other patients I have would have to pay that amount that you are seeing to be able to pee in quotes,
01:05:53 because it's the machine that helps them to pee. So it's your kidney that helps you actually to pee.
01:05:58 So thank God if you can pee. And that is why we are having this conversation that people would take very good care of their kidneys or else you have to pay hefty amounts to be able to pee.
01:06:07 The next thing your kidney does is that as you eat foods, you drink water and all of these things that sometimes you don't know what the contents are.
01:06:14 The kidney is the one that tends to stabilize it. So right. So if something is too high, the kidney says, OK, this is too high. Let's pee it out.
01:06:21 If it is too low, it holds onto it. So it happens to be the magic regulator of your body.
01:06:27 And for your teeth and bones to become strong, the kidneys have a major role.
01:06:32 So you hear calcium and you need a sun for vitamin D. Mind you, if you can sit in the sun for all I care for how many years, but if your kidneys are not working,
01:06:40 that vitamin D will not be useful to be able to get the calcium and phosphate in terms of the strong bones that you need for your teeth and your bones.
01:06:48 So in other words, these are absorption major functions of the kidney absorption of these nutrients into the body are key functions of the kidney as well.
01:06:59 I would say the absorption that it is the other system that takes all the absorption.
01:07:03 But after you absorb it into your system, is the kidney that ensures that they are within the right balance? You know, the body is all about balance.
01:07:11 So if it is too high, it's a problem. If it is too low, it's a problem.
01:07:14 Something keeps it balanced. As you said, now you can drink two gallons of water.
01:07:18 You are most likely going to pee two gallons of water. So you stay balanced.
01:07:22 But if my patient drinks even one bottle of water and they are not peeing, that bottle of water will stay in their body and it gets into their lungs and they cannot breathe.
01:07:31 So the kidney regulates a lot of these things in your body.
01:07:35 That explains it then, because when I wake up every morning, I have a routine where I take in quite a bit of water, 500 or 750 milliliters.
01:07:42 And of course, in the course of the show, I'll be doing those runs because it must come out.
01:07:48 So we thank God for our kidneys. But what are some of the ailments that, you know, impact the kidney?
01:07:56 And what are there any foods, for example, that damage the kidney? Any things we take in that can damage the kidney?
01:08:04 OK, so in terms of things we do that damage the kidneys, I mean, there are quite a few.
01:08:09 But before, I mean, just for educational purposes, I want to start from the common ones.
01:08:14 So the world over, the most common cause of kidney disease actually is diabetes.
01:08:19 So and here in Ghana, about 7 percent of us have some form of diabetes, I should say.
01:08:25 What percentage did you just say?
01:08:27 Seven percent, about seven percent to be exact, is about six point five, six point four.
01:08:31 So on the average, there's no half human being.
01:08:35 So seven percent, I would say. So seven out of 100 people typically have diabetes here in Ghana.
01:08:41 Now, hypertension is also a major cause of kidney disease. And here in Ghana, about a third of us.
01:08:47 So if you take one out of three people above age 18, they have hypertension.
01:08:52 And these are the two drivers of kidney disease in our part of the world.
01:08:56 So I think I need to mention that quickly and then we can talk about things that we do.
01:09:00 I think you mentioned something that is great in terms of drinking water.
01:09:03 And that is what most people don't do when they have healthy kidneys to ensure that the kidney does not strain itself too much.
01:09:10 And that causes the kidney to get tired before, you know, they get to the late ages.
01:09:15 So drinking a lot of water, which I would advise that you do. And of course, for our viewers to also do.
01:09:20 And then the things we eat. That's what you what you asked about.
01:09:24 Now, what we eat is so important, like I said, because if you have so much content that the body struggles to deal with,
01:09:31 and for that matter, the kidneys struggle to deal with, then that is when it hits, you know, on the kidney over a period of time.
01:09:37 Now, hypertension, the major problem with hypertension in terms of what we eat is salt.
01:09:42 We love salt. In fact, people sometimes before they taste their meals, they will even shake some salt, even on the table, on top of it.
01:09:50 Because we have, you know, adjusted our taste buds to love so much salt.
01:09:54 And as we take so much of the salt, it eventually leads to hypertension, which eventually affects the kidney.
01:10:00 Now, the other thing is that our dieting, I think we have said it over and over again,
01:10:04 it should probably be more laden with fruits and vegetables and less in terms of the fats and carbohydrates and all of that.
01:10:11 But our food is all carbohydrate laden, of course.
01:10:14 And when we make some money, then we are eating more protein, nutritious food that eventually are more harmful, not just to the kidney, but generally to the body.
01:10:23 So if you are to eat, make sure half of your meal is more in quotes, vegetable laden, I mean, with some good legumes and seeds and all that are helpful.
01:10:31 I mean, for your body instead of, you know, too much of fat and too much of protein and all.
01:10:36 Some plant proteins are the best, actually. And then indeed, fish is also good.
01:10:42 And animal protein once in a while is good. But if it's a routine, you know, then it becomes a problem.
01:10:47 Then the other thing is sugary content. You know, so we are taking a lot of sugar containing diet, you know, so we put in so much sugar.
01:10:54 Now we have all the sweetness for our kids and all of that.
01:10:57 We should watch it because all of these things with time predispose them to diabetes, which eventually, like I said, is a major cause of kidney disease.
01:11:04 And then things we do, alcohol intake. Now, young men are taking all sorts of alcohols with all sorts of content.
01:11:11 Sometimes we cannot quantify with whatever the objective to be able to what? Get manpower, sleep with a hundred women and all of that.
01:11:19 I don't know what. But again, as you do all of these things, know that all the toxins you are taking, it is the kidney that has to flush it out of your body.
01:11:26 So if it keeps flushing for a while and probably you stop it, that's helpful.
01:11:30 But if you keep doing it for a long period of time, you tend to run into trouble. Now smoking cigarettes and all and then smoking.
01:11:37 Now people smoke all sort of things. Sheesha, whatever names. I mean, they have it now, these young people.
01:11:42 And I think all of these things are risky behavior that can affect the kidney. Having said all of these things that we do,
01:11:48 the other thing is that sometimes through no fault of yours, by virtue of the family you are born into, you probably might have a risk of kidney disease.
01:11:56 You know, so there are some diseases that are in family. So it is important that we keep ourselves checked regularly.
01:12:03 Don't just say, oh, because I'm able to pass you in my kidney functions are fine.
01:12:06 My advice is that even if you are passing urine adequately, once in a while, check your kidney function.
01:12:12 I keep saying the kidneys function is like the mobile phone that we use.
01:12:15 When you charge it in the morning, you pick it at 100 as you keep talking.
01:12:19 If you don't look on your phone to know it is now 60 percent or 20 percent, you just keep talking.
01:12:23 And then with time, you it will give you a low battery signal or charge or whatever.
01:12:27 It's just like around 20 percent or 15 percent. That is exactly how the kidney works.
01:12:32 So if you are waiting for you to see symptoms first, it might be too late.
01:12:37 And that is why once in a while we need to just check our kidneys to ensure it is healthy or else the cost that, you know, will come to us will be unbearable.
01:12:45 And it's interesting. So of all the things you've said, I and I'm using myself as an example.
01:12:50 I am not guilty apart from the sugary bits. And I'm trying to control it as much as I can.
01:12:56 I try to drink a lot of fluid exercise when I can. But I know that our diet here is largely if you look at the bunkers and the tools that fees and the face, the walls,
01:13:09 the walls, cookies and everything else we take here and rice, there's a lot of starch in what we consume.
01:13:15 And then that also impacts our metabolism, processing of sugars.
01:13:21 And also some say it's not it's technically not taking sugar that leads to diabetes, but the failure of the what's that organ again?
01:13:31 The one that produces insulin, the pancreas, the pancreas.
01:13:36 That is the cause. So I just wanted to do that brief education before I bring in Thomas Khan, who has had real life experience with kidney issues.
01:13:43 Just clarify that for me. Yes. So when I say sugars, we actually mean carbohydrates, you know, generally.
01:13:50 But the point is that if you actually take in, you know, polysaturated carbohydrates,
01:13:54 so carbohydrates that would need the body some time to break it down into those smaller chunks, that's fine.
01:13:59 But you know what they are serving you now? The ones that you have already broken into the ones that are not helpful for your kidneys.
01:14:05 So they hit your system straight. So it's exactly. So then it puts a lot of strain on their pancreas.
01:14:11 And again, of course, with time, it needs to now push a lot of insulin to be able to deal to control it with time.
01:14:17 If you are not able to deal with it, then you run into trouble.
01:14:19 But I need to say quickly that those that are pancreatic challenges are actually of the minute, you know, number in terms of, you know, diabetes.
01:14:29 All right. So that's what we call the type one diabetes. So through no fault of yours, something hits on your pancreas or you take too much alcohol.
01:14:34 It hits on your pancreas. You know, that's actually a smaller chunk.
01:14:37 But the majority are because we are not able to absorb the insulin.
01:14:42 Oh, sorry. The sugar that we have taken for the liver to work with, you know, that's what we call the type two.
01:14:46 So the type two is not like the pancreas has failed from the beginning, but invariably it fails with time.
01:14:52 But then what is important is that we try to differentiate the two.
01:14:56 Yeah. Ben, please hold for me, Doc. Let me also bring in Thomas Kahn. Thomas, a very good morning to you.
01:15:04 Hello, Thomas. Hi. Good morning, Benjamin.
01:15:10 Good morning, Thomas. It's good to have you join the conversation. We are very grateful.
01:15:15 My first question to you. I mean, you've been listening to Doc. What led to your bouts with kidney disease?
01:15:23 What what ails you as far as your kidneys are concerned? What led to the situation?
01:15:29 Well, what I think is I developed a condition that I wasn't aware of.
01:15:35 I remember when Dr. Schlemmer was talking, he talked about us having regular checkups and all of that.
01:15:43 And I think that that is one of the things that I lacked. And, you know, I went to the hospital.
01:15:49 I got sick. And one time they said my BP was high, but I didn't get that education that after giving me that medication,
01:15:58 I was going to be on it forever. I needed to go back to the hospital to recheck how my BP's were doing.
01:16:06 So after I had taken it, I assumed that it was just the usual rhetoric that, oh, this is a course.
01:16:13 So after completion, that's that was it. Because I felt fine and I thought that was it.
01:16:17 And then little did I know that I had developed hypertension. So with time, it deteriorated.
01:16:23 And then, you know, it got to that stage because I'm not somebody who drinks or smokes, but it happened to me.
01:16:32 Wow. And this is so sad because, yes, Doc spoke about hypertension,
01:16:39 blood pressure issues leading to kidney related issues. And that's exactly what happened to you.
01:16:46 So this was basically because the hospital facility you went to simply or the medical facility did not inform you that you had to continue with the course.
01:16:55 Right. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. So I think that that is one of the major challenges.
01:17:02 Wow. And again, I don't remember taking in this airbag concussion and those things.
01:17:09 So basically, that's where I linked the whole thing to. What has it been that I wasn't aware of?
01:17:18 And anyway, what has it been like? Because sometimes I get so it's like someone getting injected and then suffering paralysis because someone did not inject properly.
01:17:29 Just the right way to do things. But what has it meant for you over these last 10 years to have kidney disease?
01:17:39 What has it been like living through this? Yeah, Benjamin.
01:17:49 I think we have a little challenge with Thomas Kahn's connection.
01:17:54 Very delicate issue we're discussing here this morning, and he's been gracious enough to allow us into his private space to share these with us,
01:18:04 hoping that I mean, even as we talk about the surrounding issues, all of us are also learning so that we can take better care of our bodies.
01:18:11 You become hypertensive. Don't take it for granted. It could actually affect your kidneys and lead you into a very precarious situation.
01:18:20 We'll see whether we can get Thomas Kahn back. Thomas, please go ahead.
01:18:28 If you can hear me, Thomas, please go ahead. You'd have to unmute.
01:18:39 Thomas, can you hear me? If you can hear me, just unmute for me, please.
01:18:45 All right. We'll try to get Thomas back. Doc, so there you go.
01:18:51 Another instance of someone like you rightly said, it helps in blood.
01:18:55 I think I don't know whether it's production. So when it goes low, it will help in that.
01:19:00 And here you are. Blood pressure related issue. I mean, how bad is it that a medical facility did not give him the right guidance?
01:19:07 And look at where Thomas has ended up. Yeah.
01:19:11 So I think I would want to say that before maybe we start looking at just the medical facility,
01:19:17 I think one of the things he mentioned is the fact that sometimes you might even have this hypertension without knowing.
01:19:23 And I think that is the key thing. Our health facilities are there when we are sick.
01:19:28 So it is actually made for curative. But this we are discussing now, we are targeting preventive, more wellness.
01:19:35 So the key thing is that don't even wait for any symptom.
01:19:39 Keep checking it. And if you find that it is high, then you would have to now seek help in the health facility.
01:19:46 And again, that's when now, yes, they needed to have let him know that, listen, hypertension is something that will not disappear overnight.
01:19:52 And that we may need to monitor you for a period of time. And the key thing I want to say quickly is that, you know,
01:19:58 there was a caption that, you know, diabetes is the leading cause, you know, diabetes and hypertension.
01:20:04 Yes, are the leading causes. But in our part of the world, like people like Thomas will come in at a relatively young age,
01:20:11 where we think that they may not have developed the hypertension for long enough to have been the cause of the kidney disease.
01:20:17 So on the other hand, like I told you, that the kidney actually is the one that controls the blood pressure.
01:20:22 So that blood pressure that was picked for Thomas, I mean, I dare say that it was possible that as of that time,
01:20:28 the kidney function was already reducing and it was only showing as hypertension because now the kidney had lost its ability to control the blood pressure.
01:20:37 So in our part of the world, we actually think that there are some other things that what includes all these risk factors we talked about in terms of the food we are eating,
01:20:45 in terms of risk factors of what we are born with. And we probably get some, you know,
01:20:49 damages to our kidney little by little as we are growing up that we don't know until, you know,
01:20:54 we are in our 20s or we are in our 30s and it begin to show as kidney disease.
01:20:58 And then one of the things we easily can pick is the hypertension.
01:21:02 OK, so I am sure that there's a strong possibility that as of the time they picked the hypertension,
01:21:09 probably the kidney function as of then had reduced a bit. And that is why I would say I'm sure health care providers are listening.
01:21:16 When you see a person who is less than 40 or you are listening or watching us and you are less than 40 years and you are told you are
01:21:23 hypertension, I beg you, please, please, please suggest nicely to your doctor to at least check your kidney function.
01:21:30 And I think that is very important. I believe that we are training doctors to be able to do this.
01:21:35 But just in case, assuming they miss on it, it is your life, it is your own.
01:21:39 So just suggest to them to check the kidney function, check a few other things to be able to see where the level is.
01:21:46 So if it's probably dealing with around 60 percent, 50 percent, then we manage it well to ensure that at least your kidneys can last you a lifetime.
01:21:54 Or else, you know, the consequences are dire if we miss this important point.
01:21:58 And of course, you have to take care of yourself. There are a lot of lots of times when I'm going for something,
01:22:03 I I read a lot around it before I go so that I have a conversation with the doctor because that person is not perfect.
01:22:10 There may be an oversight and you would be at the losing end because it's your body.
01:22:14 A quick one before I bring in Thomas can. I'd like to find out.
01:22:18 I realize that sometimes do some things that put a lot of strain on the kidneys can lead to severe bodily reactions.
01:22:27 For example, you start working out. You've not been working out for a while and then you start.
01:22:32 Boom, you start working out and it's excessive and all of that.
01:22:35 I hear that too can have an impact on your kidney and its functions, like a lot of activity all of a sudden working out.
01:22:42 Is that correct? I think Doc's Doc's connection is also frozen.
01:22:50 Oh, no. OK, Doc, did you get that question? No, I thought it was to come.
01:22:54 So, no, it's to you, actually. Sorry. Excessive. So let's say abrupt outbursts of working out, for example.
01:23:02 Can that affect the kidneys? Yes, it can. All right. So thank you for that.
01:23:07 You know, so when we are discussing it in the chronic sense, you know, I don't want to scare people with the acute sense,
01:23:12 because trust me, we are all one way or the other at risk of kidney disease because of the major role it plays in our daily lives.
01:23:19 So you're right. I mean, one day, you know, you want to get some muscles, you want to impress, you know, those ladies.
01:23:26 And you decide that, OK, you are actually going to get those muscles overnight and you wake up so much so that, you know, you have all the muscle aches and all.
01:23:35 Now, one of the things we measure in blood to know how well the kidney is functioning actually sits more in the muscle.
01:23:41 So when you go and exercise, what you are doing is that you are putting a lot of strain on the muscles.
01:23:46 When you put these strain on the muscles and a bit of them will tear and all of that, they release something into the blood.
01:23:53 Now, these days they release into the blood when they are in very high concentrations.
01:23:57 They are directly toxic to the kidney. So I've actually had patients who will tell you that, oh, they started gymming just last week.
01:24:04 And, you know, all of a sudden the I.U.N. output has decreased and you check their kidney function and has dropped.
01:24:10 But the advantage here is that if you're able to pick it well and keep yourself hydrated.
01:24:14 So advice is that whatever exercise you are doing, keep drinking a lot of water.
01:24:18 So even when you produce these toxins, their concentrations are low that at least the kidneys can deal with it.
01:24:24 And of course, there's that phase of pain when you start these exercises, which eventually normalizes with your body.
01:24:30 So through that phase, if you are hydrating yourself, well, you'll be fine.
01:24:33 But nonetheless, if you don't hydrate yourself well and you can run into trouble when you come in and you need even dialysis,
01:24:39 we can guarantee you is for a short period of time and that the kidneys will bounce back again.
01:24:44 You know, right. To go on with your normal life. So it's you know, it's really possible to exercise and run into trouble.
01:24:51 It's good that you've said that the kidneys have, like many other organs of the body, have the potential of bouncing back.
01:24:57 Let me come to Thomas Kahn now. We lost you when you were sharing your lived experience when it comes to battling kidney disease.
01:25:04 Please go ahead, Thomas. Unmute for me. Yeah. All right.
01:25:09 Can you hear me, please? I can hear you. Please go ahead. All right.
01:25:12 So, like I was saying, I had hypertension that I wasn't aware of.
01:25:17 So, you know, hypertension is such that if it is not well managed, that is when it can escalate and get to that extent.
01:25:24 And that is how I also got myself being a victim of a kidney disease.
01:25:32 And again, like I told you, I'm not somebody who does this about concussions and stuff like that.
01:25:38 I don't drink. I don't smoke. But this is what has happened to me.
01:25:43 So like that doc mentioned, it is important for all of us to take care of ourselves.
01:25:49 And again, he talked about drinking a lot of water.
01:25:54 The irony is that when you have kidney disease, you can't even take in much water.
01:25:59 That is the irony of it, because the body cannot, you know, release all that that has to come out.
01:26:06 So it has never been an easy road for me because you don't get to eat what you want.
01:26:12 You can't take in some of the things that everybody else can. And I was just about to get there.
01:26:17 So the limitations when it comes to the food you eat, the things you drink, you are limited.
01:26:23 Tell us about that. Very limited. Very, very limited. Very, very limited.
01:26:29 Somebody who loved watching a lot, go and all of that. But unfortunately, you can't eat all of that.
01:26:35 Yeah, because, you know, this is high in protein. So all of that being restricted, you can't take it.
01:26:43 And again, you can't take in as much water that you can't take.
01:26:49 How does that make you feel within your body? You other times when, for example, you are thirsty, you want to drink,
01:26:55 but you are thinking of the consequences of drinking. So you don't drink. Yeah, you don't do that.
01:27:01 So in my situation and most kidney patients, what we do is maybe get stuff that you get some ice cubes, ice cubes or something,
01:27:17 then just sip small and you are fine. So you don't get to drink a lot.
01:27:22 So I just take some chilled stuff, chilled maybe ice cubes or just a little chilled water.
01:27:30 And then that's kind of quenched the thirst. Wow. Wow. Yeah. Wow.
01:27:35 Wow. If you can, you are out there and you can drink water, you can gulp down the 500 milliliters and the rest.
01:27:40 Don't take it for granted. Listen to what Thomas Kahn is saying.
01:27:44 But in terms of the financial impact, the impact on your pocket over these last 10 years, what has that been like?
01:27:50 Paint a picture for us. In fact, it has not been an easy road, Benjamin.
01:27:56 It's been very, very hard, difficult because there are times that you have to fall on friends and family to just have some money to go to the hospital.
01:28:08 At a point you can ask Richard Kojako and other media colleagues.
01:28:12 They had to organize some sort of like a fundraising to help me. And it's been my friends, my my classmates from Influencerspam.
01:28:20 They have been very phenomenal. They've been very supportive. And then I say a big shout out to my Muba fraternity, the Muba group.
01:28:29 They've been very, very supportive. Then my my colleague media colleagues from Media Journal and all of that.
01:28:37 They have been very supportive. If not for them, I wouldn't have been alive speaking to you.
01:28:43 We thank God. We thank God for all of them. And Benjamin, one of the things that I must also comment,
01:28:52 there was one time in the quest to get some support for victims of kidney disease.
01:28:58 There was one time the current health minister, Ajay Bahmedu, came to a program in Cape Coast.
01:29:05 And then I told him how serious this problem is. And I told him I was even only in the hospital.
01:29:12 And then the minister, current health minister, gave me a thousand CDs just to go and defray some of the costs.
01:29:19 And he promised me that he was going to do something so that those of us living with kidney disease will, you know, at least get some support.
01:29:28 But so now it's been years and we are yet to see that, you know, promise that he gave us, you know.
01:29:38 I'll come to you shortly, Thomas Kahn. So we elaborate on that because I want us to go a bit heavy on the issue of cost.
01:29:45 But let me come back to Doc. So having listened to Thomas Kahn, you already are aware of a situation.
01:29:51 I was going to go into the details of how much average leaders cost him over these 10 years to deal with a disease.
01:29:57 What then should we know further about kidney disease by way of treatment?
01:30:03 At what point do you get to dialysis and how much more should we know so that we just keep ourselves from even getting there?
01:30:10 OK, so thank you very much. So when we talk generally about kidney disease, Ben, so it's actually a whole spectrum.
01:30:18 Now, the key thing is that in as much as you've not got into the end stage, we call it kidney failure, you can stay off dialysis.
01:30:27 Now, getting kidney disease in itself is very common. I mean, here in Ghana, as per our study, we have about 13.3 percent having kidney disease.
01:30:36 So if we assume our population, assuming 30 million, some 4 million people have it.
01:30:41 Now, those staggering statistics are various stages of it and they will not need dialysis.
01:30:48 But the worrying aspect is that if you don't get it checked for us to keep you where you are and it progresses, that is when you get onto dialysis.
01:30:55 So we need to understand that, you know, we are all at risk and that is why you need to definitely check how well your kidneys are doing.
01:31:02 Since you brought that up, since you brought that up, before you get to the next bit.
01:31:06 So if you require dialysis, OK, how often how often should you get this dialysis?
01:31:12 And I'm asking that question in context. I know you can't answer, respond to the best about cost and, you know, the new dynamics we are facing.
01:31:21 But if you're supposed to get dialysis, let's say once a week or twice a week and you don't get that, what would it mean?
01:31:28 I mean, in terms of life and death. Well, if you are not, in fact, ideally, you're supposed to get dialysis.
01:31:35 There are three times a week, three times because of yes, three times, three times you pee.
01:31:41 How many times a day? I mean, so indeed, if we needed to put a be put on the machine once a week would not be enough.
01:31:47 You actually need three times a week. Ideally, again, because of cost, most of our patients do it twice and some even once and some ask them when they get some little money.
01:31:56 And that is really just happening. So you need three times a week. So less.
01:31:59 I mean, looking at Colibus numbers, let's say on the average of receiving 500, you are talking about thousand five a week.
01:32:07 So that amount, you know, that was given to Thomas by the health minister cannot even take care of one week's dialysis alone.
01:32:14 And then, of course, for a month, you are talking about, you know, time. So let's say six thousand.
01:32:18 You know, so if we use Colibus new numbers, of course, then you can actually do the math.
01:32:23 So it is very expensive and you need it because if you miss a day of it, you feel terrible.
01:32:29 And I think Thomas will be able to let you know when probably he has to travel and he misses a session of dialysis the way he feels because you cannot breathe.
01:32:38 You know, you need that machine to take off every fluid from your body. And that's why you are not at liberty to drink too much.
01:32:43 So now the key thing is that if you miss it for a period and your fluid accumulates, it goes into your lungs.
01:32:49 And if you cannot breathe, it's like you are drowning. I'm sure if you have experienced drowning before.
01:32:53 That is how my average patient feels when they miss the dialysis. And with time, you get confused with time.
01:32:59 Of course, if you don't get the dialysis, then I'm afraid you are going to die. All right.
01:33:03 So you need that machine to survive on daily basis or on weekly basis.
01:33:08 So just clarify for me, I'm doing this intentionally. So if someone misses two sessions or let's say three sessions, can that person die because of the cost factor?
01:33:17 Now, it means that if it's shut up to over 100 percent, some people naturally simply cannot afford it.
01:33:24 How many people can pay that sum of money every week? So if someone misses about two or three sessions, is it likely they could die?
01:33:31 It depends on what we call the level of kidney function. You know, some are able to pass urine at least, you know, so if you are still able to pass some amount of urine, it cushions you for a couple of days.
01:33:41 But I'll tell you a practical example somewhere. I think last two weeks, my patient missed a session of dialysis and we had to admit in companion.
01:33:49 So if I had not intervened, she would have died straight away.
01:33:53 OK, so it is so important that we realize that depending on your level, when you miss one session, you are dying.
01:33:59 Depending on your level, probably if you miss three sessions, you are gone.
01:34:03 Of course, if you go to sessions, it has to be two weeks. It has to be Greece or else, you know, we will be gone too soon.
01:34:10 Yeah, I know you have to take leave of us. Do you have any final words for us, for us, for the viewers?
01:34:16 Yeah, thank you very much. Yeah. So thank you for this opportunity.
01:34:19 And I think what I would say is that kidney disease, in my opinion, politicians, people who have the wherewithal, let's not make it look like it is somebody else's problem.
01:34:28 It is a national problem. And in any case, the young people who are getting it, Thomas can speak to you now.
01:34:33 Brilliant chap. If he didn't get the support, he would have been dead and gone.
01:34:37 We are losing human resource who will be able to work to pay taxes to government.
01:34:42 So please, the government should intervene one way or the other.
01:34:45 If you cannot even bear the full cost, at least some bit of support to be able to help out.
01:34:50 Because indeed, to be able to run the dialysis unit, to be able to make sure this happens, it's it's cost.
01:34:56 And that is why Colibu is struggling. So if we don't get the needed support, eventually the poor patients are actually going to bear the brunt.
01:35:03 And indeed, it's actually straight correlation to mortality in the fact that we are going to lose more of our health,
01:35:10 our economic workforce and they will not be able to pay taxes to government.
01:35:13 So let this be a national issue for us to deal with it, you know, the best we can as a nation.
01:35:18 Thank you very much, Ben. Doc, we're so grateful. I can see that you're emotional yourself because you see these things.
01:35:24 It's not easy seeing people knowing that probably it's out of control, out of your hands and that these people could die and there's nothing you can do.
01:35:34 It must be so difficult. Very difficult. And that's why I always take the opportunity to educate anybody at all.
01:35:41 At least I decrease the number of people who come on dialysis, you know, so we need to look at this carefully.
01:35:47 Thank you very much. And I have to run. Thank you very much. I wish you the best of the day.
01:35:51 We are so grateful that you took the time to engage us. That is Dr. Elliot granting tunnel senior electrician, USD,
01:35:57 senior specialist and consulting nephrologist at the Comfort Nutrition Hospital.
01:36:03 Look, wherever you are, before I go back to Thomas, take care of yourself.
01:36:08 What's your BP? Watch what you consume. What the all these herbal things out there.
01:36:12 I'm not saying they're bad if they are FDA approved and all of that. Take care of yourself.
01:36:17 Sometimes it takes one wrong thing you put in your body. It messes you up for life.
01:36:22 You don't want to do that because, look, here's a little breakdown. OK, so if you need dialysis three times a week,
01:36:30 like Doc has just mentioned, if we are using the current rate that Colibu has put out because of taxation and I'll go to Thomas for details on that.
01:36:39 You are looking at every session costing seven hundred and sixty five Ghana cities or seven sixty five point forty two Ghana cities.
01:36:46 OK, that's around sixty seven dollars. If you do that.
01:36:52 Three sessions will be two thousand two hundred and ninety six plus Ghana cities, about one hundred and ninety eight dollars.
01:36:58 Let's round it up to about two hundred dollars. How many people earn that kind of money?
01:37:03 If you put the total together for a month, that would be a staggering nine thousand one hundred and eighty five plus Ghana cities or almost eight hundred dollars.
01:37:12 So just stay away. I mean, do your best, because if we stick by these figures, many people will simply die.
01:37:20 God forbid. Thomas. All of this has got me rather emotional because I was focusing on the cost,
01:37:29 the cost factor of all of this. If I asked you, for example, over these last 10 years,
01:37:37 contributions from mobile, from media general, from your friends, from other institutions.
01:37:43 If I asked you to give us a ballpark figure about how much it does cost you to suffer kidney disease, what would you tell me?
01:37:52 Benjamin, I would say that it's quite a chunk of money.
01:37:56 In fact, I can imagine if you owned even multimedia, I'm sure if it was yours and whatever money you would have gotten,
01:38:09 I'm sure by now you would have also run to IMF like the government has done.
01:38:14 In fact, it has never been easy at all. And Benjamin, talking about the cost, just the thinking and the thought of cost alone has killed people faster than the disease,
01:38:24 because people cannot afford it. People can simply not afford. There are times that people have come to the hospital and because they can't afford,
01:38:33 they tell the hospital authorities that they should just remove the lines. I mean, the lines that they use for the dialysis.
01:38:41 There's something we call the fistula, the lines that we use just to go and die home because they can't afford.
01:38:54 They come and they are like, no, we can't afford. Even at the current rate, for instance, when you go to the Cape Coast City Hospital, that is charging 350.
01:39:03 Even that, people cannot afford. So for now, Benjamin, we are just depending on the cost of dialysis.
01:39:12 You know, the dialysis procedure comes with other procedures. That is talking about the medication that accompanies it.
01:39:20 We've not even spoken about it yet. And these medications are not even covered by the health insurance and a periodic lab test that you have to do.
01:39:28 So even adding those costs to the dialysis cost itself, that should tell you the quantum of money that goes into it.
01:39:37 And like I said, the thought of just the cost alone is killing people faster than the disease.
01:39:43 And it's something that the government should need, should do something about it.
01:39:47 It is a national crisis that something should be done about it.
01:39:51 Recently, we had government talk about putting up some hospitals called Agenda 111.
01:39:57 Benjamin, to tell you the truth, until recently, the whole of Western and Central region were depending on the Cape Coast City Hospital for dialysis.
01:40:05 So people from Takwa, Elubu and all those places were traveling that far distance to come to the Cape Coast City Hospital for dialysis.
01:40:14 It was just recently that the FIA-Qanta had a dialysis unit there and then asked, how many machines do we have in the various units?
01:40:22 For instance, the Cape Coast City Hospital, where I do mine, the hospital is 25 years and the machines we have there are aging.
01:40:31 Some of them are more than 10 years and they are broken down and the hospital facility cannot provide.
01:40:37 It means that a government needs to do their provision. And here is a case.
01:40:42 There is an excuse that because they are not getting tax exemptions and all of those things, the prices have to go up.
01:40:49 So that tells you that it is a national crisis, that government needs to do something about it.
01:40:54 People are dying, Benjamin, people are dying.
01:40:57 And, you know, in recent times, there's been talk about taxes and paying more taxes and all of that.
01:41:04 Since we like to talk about taxes, I want to look at the UK, for example, and what they do, the NHIA, and how they treat such cases, kidney disease.
01:41:15 I've read lots about the provisions they make medical facilities, you know, so that people can easily access some of these services here.
01:41:26 I don't know how our taxes are working for us in this arena. And like Doug said, if we are to pay attention to the figures,
01:41:32 that's about four million out of our population who are impacted with various degrees of kidney related disease.
01:41:41 So from where you sit, do you think this should be a part of the NHIS so that it can be waived?
01:41:52 Is that something you're looking forward to? This is something that I have been advocating for, you know, as my little way of also helping the situation.
01:42:03 I've been doing this kind of advocacy for years, and we've been calling on government to have the NHIS at least absorb some of the costs, even if it is half of it.
01:42:15 I think it will help because I have a friend who is in the US and who is also battling with kidney disease.
01:42:21 Over there, the NHIS or the health insurance system, they absorb it and they even give you the option.
01:42:29 Do you want them to do it in their house for you or the hospital? So you have even have that luxury and that option to do it.
01:42:35 But here you go to the hospital and then the machines are just limited. For instance, you know, the dialysis process takes four hours.
01:42:43 So you go to the hospital where the machines are not many and then you even have one person who comes before you.
01:42:50 Look at the number of hours you have to wait to get to your turn. Most times I go to the hospital, I get to the hospital before 3.30 a.m.
01:42:59 just to have my turn, because if you don't go early, it means that you are not going to leave the hospital early.
01:43:04 So that alone even is a torture. And again, I should also say that just the cost and everything about kidney disease is a psychological problem.
01:43:15 And then there's a mental problem that the government should even have a real look at, because that's the cost again, can give you a psychological.
01:43:24 The cost alone can lead to death. But just hold for me, especially as you are talking about government.
01:43:30 We have joining the conversation Kwabena Minta Akando. He's a member of parliament for Jua Boso.
01:43:34 He also is on the Health Committee of Parliament. Mr. Akando, a very good morning to you, sir.
01:43:41 Good morning, my brother. It's it's not that good a morning because of the subject we are we are contemplating and people.
01:43:49 Basically, you have about four million people in this zone affected by kidney related disease.
01:43:54 And now Kolegu is telling us the situation is out of our hands.
01:44:00 Exemptions when it comes to certain equipment has been taken off.
01:44:03 So we have to pay tax. And if we have to pay tax, then we must pass it on at a certain point.
01:44:10 Why you can parliament grants exemptions on so many things.
01:44:15 Why are we not granting exemptions on something as crucial as this?
01:44:20 Who am I speaking to please? This is Benjamin Akako on the AM show.
01:44:24 Oh, my own brother. Good morning. I agree with you that morning is not that very good.
01:44:31 And when this issue came about, I was really shocked myself.
01:44:35 And if you recall, two days ago, I spoke about it yesterday.
01:44:40 I spoke extensively about it. And today, Kolegu has also reacted that he retreated on the trial.
01:44:47 They were they were intending to charge. But the whole issue is that, my brother,
01:44:54 the every health facility, public health facility, the main objective is not profit making.
01:45:02 It is quality health care delivery. Unlike other private health care facilities.
01:45:08 That's number one. Number two, we are talking about health.
01:45:12 And therefore, it is in the right direction for government to do whatever it takes.
01:45:20 Whatever it takes, because it is a responsibility or a mandate of the government
01:45:26 to ensure that the people in the country receive quality health care.
01:45:30 So whatever it takes for us to strengthen our dialysis department or unit to take care of a renal patient,
01:45:39 we must do it. And so, for example, buying of equipment.
01:45:44 At least every different health facility in this country must have a dialysis machine.
01:45:48 And these dialysis machines must be purchased by government.
01:45:52 Because if they allow the facilities themselves to go and purchase their own machines,
01:45:57 for example, sometimes they enter into agreements with the service providers,
01:46:00 sellers and co-host companies, and they will have to raise the money to go and pay.
01:46:04 And that is where you have a trade-off charge.
01:46:07 But if government is the one who has purchased all these machines for the health facility,
01:46:12 then the charges will be minimal.
01:46:15 And of course, I agree that there is no sense in withdrawing,
01:46:19 it's not as if there was even a tax on it and we are saying that it should even remove the tax.
01:46:27 It was purely an exemption from those materials.
01:46:31 And government decided that they need more money,
01:46:34 and therefore we should put back taxes on these reagents and these materials.
01:46:38 When did this happen? When were these exemptions taken off?
01:46:42 Quite recently. It's not too long ago. Quite recently. I think it's less than a year.
01:46:46 Less than a few months ago.
01:46:48 What was the basis for this decision?
01:46:51 Okay, so that's what I'm saying. Government says it needs more money. That's all.
01:46:56 Government says it needs more money, and so it's taken off the exemptions.
01:47:00 Exemptions. So what I think we should do, and you see, where we as parliamentarians are handicapped,
01:47:06 is that when the things are presented, the details are not presented like,
01:47:12 these are, I mean, chalices, reagents, in the proposal or in the memo.
01:47:19 Okay? And so, for example, if there are taxes on some materials or goods,
01:47:30 the military responsible in the sector can write that these equipment or these materials must be exempted.
01:47:38 And it is done. If I didn't write a decision to parliament or ask the office to sit on it
01:47:44 and make sure that those things are exempted.
01:47:46 But, Mr. Akando, it baffles me.
01:47:50 Before you come to me. The most important point is that Colibu cannot say that because we are going through difficulties,
01:48:02 we will sit at Colibu and fix our home site. It's not done. It's illegal.
01:48:06 So even if there are problems...
01:48:08 You're saying what Colibu is doing is illegal?
01:48:10 It's illegal!
01:48:12 But how do you expect them to sustain the service if they don't do something like this?
01:48:17 Then everything will shut down.
01:48:18 My brother, this country is regulated by law. It is not for nothing that we have to be in charge of this act.
01:48:26 So before you do that, you must come to parliament and convince us that this is the reason why you must sit on the 22 and 23.
01:48:34 Because whatever they are doing at the moment is illegal.
01:48:38 But how can you hold them culpable when government, in order to do what it did, came to you in parliament and you approved it?
01:48:45 What I'm saying to you is that if you say reagent or equipment, we in parliament will not know that,
01:48:56 and I've already indicated to you that there are some other equipment or materials that a minister has that power to write to us to exempt,
01:49:07 given the critical nature of those equipment.
01:49:11 And most such things have come to parliament.
01:49:14 But before then, we had these exemptions already in place until it was removed.
01:49:20 So it can be done.
01:49:22 It's not as if they came to us and we have approved that, well, we settled on, I mean, what do you call it, reagents for dialysis.
01:49:32 And there's another second leg of reagent.
01:49:34 They are also saying that the cover, procurement cover that government provides for them,
01:49:40 government is saying that they are stopped, they are no more providing procurement cover for them and you.
01:49:45 Whereas in our past, whatever we can do as members of parliament, when they come to us and tell us the consequences of whatever law in place,
01:49:57 we are ready and willing to go the full length with them.
01:50:01 But you don't sit down and say, because I am going through these challenges, this is what I have decided to do.
01:50:08 It's not done.
01:50:09 OK, so we know that other health facilities are maintaining, CAF and others are maintaining their prices.
01:50:17 But this is what Kolibu has said. We'll see how that issue, we'll see how that issue is dealt with.
01:50:22 Hold on for me.
01:50:23 I'm told this morning that Kolibu has released a press statement that they've retreated.
01:50:31 They are no more charging the surgeons and the device, they can't charge.
01:50:35 So you can verify.
01:50:37 OK.
01:50:39 Should we put dialysis on the NHIS, the scheme?
01:50:47 And then again, if not, what are you going to do about this tax situation so that there can be some normalcy?
01:50:55 Because like it or not, if the taxes keep adding up, at some point something will have to be done and the medical facilities may be pushed to the wall.
01:51:03 I like this question. These questions are the way forward. I like this question.
01:51:06 Now, the first thing is that Kolibu should go to the minister and they should even write a petition to us.
01:51:13 All the health facilities, they can write a petition to us at Parliament.
01:51:18 In fact, most of these tax exemptions are dealt with by the Finance Committee.
01:51:23 But as the Health Committee, we are their advocate.
01:51:28 So they can come to us and then we'll speak for them on these tax exemptions matters.
01:51:34 So the window is not closed at all. We can sit down and see the way forward.
01:51:39 But the second issue that has to do with the National Health Insurance absorbing the dialysis, that would have been fantastic.
01:51:46 But you see, Ben, let's just not pretend.
01:51:49 Our National Health Insurance activists now, they are all spending.
01:51:54 It's a National Health Insurance scheme where subscribers go and they are still giving bills to the wealthy.
01:52:00 They call it co-payment.
01:52:02 So you go to the hospital and then you have to go and buy paracetamol.
01:52:08 Because health service providers are saying that government is not paying realistic tariffs.
01:52:13 For example, they will go and buy paracetamol five times a week in the market.
01:52:18 Government says, according to the tariff we are paying, we are paying only three times.
01:52:22 So when the subscribers or the patients go, they will say, we don't have paracetamol.
01:52:26 So you have to go and see.
01:52:28 So what we have now is already weak.
01:52:32 If you add dialysis, you just add just for the sake of addition.
01:52:37 Because the people will go and pay it anyway.
01:52:42 So what we must do is that we must strengthen the National Health Insurance we have at the moment.
01:52:49 How do we do that?
01:52:51 The National Health Insurance levy we all pay.
01:52:54 For example, government projected to collect 5.7 billion Ghana Cedis for National Health Insurance as National Health Insurance levy.
01:53:02 Now, government is giving only 2.7 billion Ghana Cedis to National Health Insurance per their 2020-23 formula.
01:53:15 Where is the rest going?
01:53:17 They are taking the rest back to the conservative funds to use it for whatever they want.
01:53:20 So what we are giving to the National Health Insurance cannot put their full expenditure for the year.
01:53:28 They will end up giving unrealistic tariff to the service provided.
01:53:32 And we won't get the quality health care we need.
01:53:35 And so we must sit down and say that look, all the 5.7 billion Ghana Cedis must go back to the National Health Insurance authority.
01:53:47 Let's use it for its intended purpose.
01:53:49 Even if there is a gap, then we can sit and talk about the gap.
01:53:53 But you don't take a chunk of the money and then you come back and say there is a gap.
01:53:58 So there is a whole conversation about the National Health Insurance absorbing more diseases.
01:54:04 That is a problem.
01:54:06 Even if we are not taking their directives completely, there could be an arrangement.
01:54:10 Ok, now it is 380. And so if you have a National Health Insurance card, if you come and pay in Ghana Cedis, it is a way forward.
01:54:20 So we can think through all these avenues and come to some kind of win-win situation.
01:54:28 But the National Health Insurance as it stands now, that is a huge problem.
01:54:33 It is a huge problem. Well, just finally in some 20 seconds, what action will you take on this?
01:54:41 I want to know moving forward, what will you do as a member of the health committee?
01:54:45 Exactly. We are starting this competition.
01:54:47 The first thing we need to do is that the government must decap the National Health Insurance.
01:54:52 The first thing to do.
01:54:53 The government must decap. And I am talking about this severally.
01:54:57 On the floor of the house, in the media, everywhere. It doesn't even make sense to cap any health facility in this country.
01:55:05 Do you know that at the moment, government is even saying that the internally generated funds from the health facility, they must bring some to the central government.
01:55:15 Do you know that even the large scale that is being subsidized by the health facilities, the government says no way, they are not going to pay it.
01:55:23 But these are issues. So we are all going to start a conversation on some of these.
01:55:28 But the first thing to do is to decap the health sector. That's the first thing to do.
01:55:33 Thank you Kwabena Minta Akando, he is a member of Parliament for Drabos and he is also on the health committee of Parliament.
01:55:41 Thomas, before I come to you, we are activating the phone lines, yeah?
01:55:45 So, if you have any concerns, any thoughts to share, you heard the member of Parliament for Drabos saying basically it was like a veiled thing done.
01:55:57 So when government says we want more taxes, we need more taxes, it comes on block.
01:56:04 So they can't detach or decouple and realize that in there, as you approve, it's also going to affect medical equipment, including what is used for dialysis.
01:56:16 But that is how far we've come. Government is taxing practically everything.
01:56:20 And now those who need dialysis, that treatment to ensure they stay alive.
01:56:26 If something is not done soon, we could imperil their lives.
01:56:32 Are you affected? Do you have any kidney related disease? Is it diabetes leading to something of the sort?
01:56:38 Or do you have a relative in that situation? Even if you don't, what are your sentiments on this matter?
01:56:45 As a Ghanaian, it could be you, it could be me, any day. 0302 211 691 is the number to call.
01:56:53 Call and let us know what you're thinking is. Send a message to government. 0302 211 691.
01:57:00 Let me come to Thomas. Listening to Kwame Ntahakando, does it surprise you that government has pushed on taxation to this point where it is affecting literally your life?
01:57:13 Well, Benjamin, it's really disheartening and scary. Really scary.
01:57:18 Very, very scary. Because all this while we have been praying that governments will have a subsidy for us.
01:57:25 Because always you ask the health professionals and the excuses that because of their taxes and then again, you know, the inputs used for dialysis is very important.
01:57:36 So if they have to go and pay huge sums of money at the courts just to get this input into the country and then they are being taxed or they are being charged at that high rate, then it means it's a problem.
01:57:50 It's a problem that government needs to do something immediately about it. Because Benjamin, like I told you, we are losing a lot of lives.
01:57:59 People I began dialysis with 10 years ago, not even a single person is alive. A lot of them. Wow.
01:58:05 It is not it is not because of the disease. They died because they couldn't afford.
01:58:11 About how many people are we talking of? These are people you started dialysis with. Now, none of them is alive.
01:58:16 Plenty, plenty, plenty. Not even one. Not even one. Give me a ballpark figure. I mean, how many? Five, ten?
01:58:24 I can say more than 100 people. More than 100 people.
01:58:30 Yeah. As far as my memory, wow.
01:58:36 And for you, you are alive because of the support, the financial support you have got.
01:58:41 That is what I was saying. Again, apart from the financial support, I told you about the cost.
01:58:46 People are dying just because of the thought of the cost. Just the thinking of the cost.
01:58:51 That alone can give you a mental problem. People are just thinking of the money they have to go and pay at the hospital because this is a disease that you have to be going to the hospital every at least every two, three days.
01:59:04 You have to go to the hospital. So if we are not getting the money to go, what would that result to?
01:59:10 You'll be thinking about where to get the money and all of that.
01:59:14 So it's a serious problem that we need to tackle as a nation.
01:59:20 Let me come to the bit about what Kolibu per Kwabena Minta Akando has released that they are going back to the former price.
01:59:28 But I, I know that if the taxes remain, it's only a matter of time.
01:59:34 For those of you watching, I'd like to hear from you. 0302 211691, 0302 211691.
01:59:40 But for you, Thomas, what kind of relief? I know you don't go to Kolibu for your dialysis.
01:59:47 I mean, what you've told me. But for those who go, I mean, what sort of mental and emotional turmoil would they have been going through?
01:59:56 Just hearing that is going to increase by over 100 percent per what you've been telling me.
02:00:05 Hello, Thomas. We've we've unfortunately lost the connection to Thomas.
02:00:13 We'll try to get him back on the the line or via Zoom, I should say, so we can have this conversation.
02:00:21 But, you know, all of this has really got me thinking. Someone came into the country recently and asked me about our health system.
02:00:29 And I have to tell the person what the realities are. Recently, we went somewhere, a medical facility and even getting a bed.
02:00:38 I mean, it's something we talk about so often, but you have someone in a dire situation and they can't even get a bed.
02:00:45 What kind of country is this? We have a call on the line. Hello. Good morning.
02:00:51 Hello. Hello. Good morning. What's your name? Where are you calling from?
02:00:56 Yeah, my name is Alex. I'm calling from Bibieni. Alex from Bibieni. What are your thoughts on this matter?
02:01:05 I don't know. It's very, very disheartening. I don't know what is happening to this country.
02:01:11 Our leaders are being too callous. We are not thinking about the ordinary Ghanaians, the people who put them there,
02:01:20 the people who ensure that we are at where we are. And they are just putting more handshake on us each and every day.
02:01:30 How can the ordinary Ghanaians afford the amount that they are talking about? If the person is able to, I mean, get an amount of 500 Ghanaians within the month,
02:01:47 how can such a person get the pay for this amount that they are talking at the hospital?
02:01:54 It means the person will have to go and die, which is very, very unfair. Our leaders have to think about us, because that is what they put there.
02:02:03 They have to think about us. I can't think about these things and you don't understand why Afu Swabi is doing all these things.
02:02:13 It is not fair. It is not very, very fair at all. Thank you.
02:02:19 Thank you, Alex, from BBNE for calling. I just want to say this, Mr. Finance Minister, Mr. Finance Minister, is it possible?
02:02:30 I mean, respectfully. With all the taxes, fine. Is it possible to look at this specific issue and grant some sort of waiver on this equipment?
02:02:43 It is so sad. Is it possible, Mr. Finance Minister, is it possible, Mr. President, for you to step in and say, you know what?
02:02:53 The times are hard, but we can't squeeze water out of stone. And as far as this group or many, many other medical exigencies, let's take them off so that people don't die.
02:03:07 Why does it have to get to this? Hello. Good morning. Good morning. Please. What's your name? Why are you calling from?
02:03:16 My name is Tyrone. I'm calling from Upper East. Your name is what? Tyrone, please. Right. Please go ahead.
02:03:23 I want to urge the government to look at this very seriously. This one, a lot of people died. There is no money in the system.
02:03:31 Already there is no money to even eat. And we are increasing from 300 up to 700. Where's the money?
02:03:39 That's what you do now. You are a government worker. You are taking 2,000 months. And this one, you have to take that every week.
02:03:45 Your salary, you can't even buy the medicine, the drugs. So this is to take it seriously. I'm urging the government to do something about this.
02:03:53 Thank you. Thank you so much for the call. So if you need this every three days, Max, and you're spending even less, approximated 300 cities, it's more.
02:04:04 But let's say it's 300 cities. You will need about 4000 thereabouts a month. To take care of your dialysis.
02:04:13 How much do you earn? How much does the average Ghanaian earn? And even that three, those 300 cities are inhibited.
02:04:22 They are prohibitive. How many people can afford it? And if there's any jump in it, it's just going to be worse.
02:04:33 Mr. President, Mr. Finance Minister, this one, you say you know how to restore the economy that you've not even been able to do.
02:04:45 You say you can't cannot bring back lives, but at least you can waive taxes, take off taxes to save lives.
02:04:53 About four million people could be affected directly or indirectly by this.
02:05:04 0302 211691 is the number to call 0302 211691. We'll try to get back Thomas Kahn and find out what his thoughts are,
02:05:15 final thoughts on these dynamics as we move on and take your calls as well.
02:05:21 Right before we wrap this conversation and move on to talk about the Temamoto way, which in itself has become a death trap.
02:05:30 If you'd like to share your sentiments, your thoughts, if you'd like to call on government to do something about the situation.
02:05:36 And like I said, it is other people today. We may think it is other people's problems.
02:05:42 Tomorrow it could be your problem. My problem, God forbid. But that is the reality.
02:05:49 0302 211691. Do we have Thomas back? Thomas Kahn, can you hear me?
02:05:58 All right. We still do not have Thomas. I'll give just a little bit of more time for reactions from you.
02:06:06 But what's Kwabena Menta Kando, the member of parliament for Drabosu, also on the health committee is telling us this morning.
02:06:16 I have not personally seen the document. And so I am merely regurgitating what he has said,
02:06:22 that the Kolebu Teaching Hospital has rescinded its decision to hike the prices.
02:06:30 We have a caller. Hello. Good morning. Hello. Good morning.
02:06:38 Please speak up for me. Your name, where you're calling from. My name is. I'm calling from.
02:06:43 Quick, we're not. What are you thinking of? Yeah, what I'm thinking of.
02:06:48 Everything is. Everything is. Everything is.
02:06:53 Everything. Everything. Everything.
02:07:01 And that's why it's leading to this problem. We are not talking about.
02:07:06 And everything is about. I think they should stop discussing those things and then look forward to my own health issues.
02:07:14 Thank you very much. Before you go, how do you think we can resolve this particular issue?
02:07:19 For example, outside of the politics, we have a government, we have an opposition.
02:07:24 What is your proposal? My proposal is we should resolve a national interest.
02:07:30 So that if on health issues, national interest, like if MPC or MEP comes and then we are talking of business,
02:07:38 like Mohammed Sarkozy's hospital before him and then he abandoned it, he started Agenda 111.
02:07:45 We have a national interest. That is the way we are going. Every government comes with its own look.
02:07:51 That's how I think it's supposed to be. Not that I have my policy. When I can, I'll do my own thing.
02:07:56 This government also can do its own thing. That will not help the country.
02:08:02 Thank you. Thank you so much for calling into the program and sharing your thoughts.
02:08:09 I believe this is how far we have come. We are going. Heaven knows where we are going, but we know we will.
02:08:20 This is a precarious situation. Some of our brothers and sisters find themselves in.
02:08:25 Like I keep saying, I am troubled this morning because imagine your life hanging by a thread,
02:08:33 knowing that or thinking that if anything should happen and you don't get the dialysis or the treatment you require,
02:08:41 you could be dead within a few days. All because of a lack of the financial muscle and all because of a lack of leadership, so to speak.
02:08:52 Think about that. Well, we cut off this end of the conversation where we return.
02:08:58 I have used that stretch at least some six to seven times in the last month or so.
02:09:08 I'm talking about the Tema motorway and it's gradually becoming more and more of a death trap.
02:09:18 Concrete. Patched with asphalt and so many things, many of the stretches uneven.
02:09:26 Now there are wild cracks on some section, both to and fro. It is just a terrifically dangerous site.
02:09:37 But people have to apply it every day because that's where they come from.
02:09:41 People have experienced tire bursts and all of that on that stretch.
02:09:46 But what is the way forward? When we return, we go straight to the Tema motorway and find out what exactly is happening there.
02:09:57 But before we do, which school will emerge the overall winner of the maiden edition of Joy Prime's Big Chef tertiary and run over the cash prize of 20,000 Ghana CDs,
02:10:08 10,000 litres of syntax tanks and other amazing products from our sponsors.
02:10:13 Well, Big Chef tertiary grand finale is coming to the Volta region, specifically the whole technical university campus on Sunday,
02:10:21 the 1st of October, 2023 at 4 p.m. This grand finale will be determined by voting.
02:10:28 So you have a 40 percent say in the voting for your favourite institution by the short code star 713 star 208 hash.
02:10:38 And following the prompt attack on the technical university, Kumasi Technical University,
02:10:42 Hoh Technical University and residents of Hoh, I invited to join Joy Prime,
02:10:47 the Big Chef finalists and premier unique Kipfit Club for an aerobic session at the Volta Serene Hotel tennis court on Saturday,
02:10:55 September 30, 2023 at 6 a.m. Big Chef is sponsored by Frito cooking oil, fortune rice, Indomie syntax tank,
02:11:05 Access Bank, new fresh drinks and Trinity oil. It's supported by the Volta Serene Hotel,
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02:11:17 The kitchen has no boundaries. Joy Prime, your ultimate experience.
02:11:22 Well, we're coming your way with more right after the break.
02:11:27 (music)
02:11:53 We did say we were taking you to the Temma motorway stretch and there you have it.
02:11:57 If you saw that little bit and you had your mouth wide open, that's just the tip of the iceberg.
02:12:03 If you've used that stretch recently. Well, on the ground, my colleague Carlos Caloni is assessing,
02:12:10 finding out what exactly has been happening. He's been interacting with a few people.
02:12:14 Carlos Caloni, do let me know what so far have you gathered?
02:12:19 And you can go ahead with your interactions with commuters on that stretch.
02:12:24 Yeah, I mean, on the road that leads from the Temma to Accra side behind me,
02:12:31 you can see the level of traffic that goes all the way to the Ajay Kujo area.
02:12:38 And this is happening because of the potholes on this portion of the road.
02:12:44 Now, myself driving from Temma to this place took me about 45 minutes due to the state of the road.
02:12:51 And this is not happening. This is not the first time this is happening.
02:12:54 This has been happening for a lot of months now because of the potholes on the Lakpakpa Bridge here on the Accra-Temma motorway.
02:13:06 We'll try to speak to a few of the motorists to understand how this is actually affecting them.
02:13:11 But before we do that, the interesting aspect of this whole thing happening here on the motorway is that
02:13:18 two ride-hailing drivers who are Uber and Yango drivers have decided to volunteer today
02:13:27 to fix these potholes that are actually causing the gridlock on this stretch.
02:13:33 And I'm going to be speaking to them to find out when they got here and what actually motivated them to engage in this particular activity here.
02:13:45 So, as you can see in your shot, you have Emmanuel and Asante.
02:13:51 They are busily taking this earth here to fill the potholes on the Accra-bound stretch of the Accra-Temma motorway.
02:14:02 So I'm going to be engaging with them to understand what really motivated them to do this.
02:14:08 You are live on Joy News. What's your name?
02:14:11 My name is Kodjo Asante.
02:14:14 Alright, and your name is?
02:14:15 My name is Emmanuel Buateng.
02:14:17 Great. So these are two ride-hailing drivers. Their vehicles are parked right here in your shot.
02:14:23 You can see these two vehicles parked here.
02:14:26 They came here purposely to ensure or to fill the potholes to help or enhance traffic flow.
02:14:33 These are the two vehicles in your shot and these are the drivers with me who have decided to volunteer to fill the potholes.
02:14:42 And so I'm going to be speaking to them.
02:14:44 Okay, so, Emmanuel, tell us, what time did you get here?
02:14:48 Okay, great, great, great, great. Wonderful.
02:14:51 Yeah, this morning we woke up around 5.30am and we came through the motorway.
02:14:57 Because of the purpose we are here, because the road was very bad.
02:15:02 And then we have road minister and the president.
02:15:06 But the president himself has a road minister, but he doesn't know that the road was bad or not.
02:15:12 But us, we are Uber drivers and boat drivers, and we always use the road.
02:15:17 And the road was stretching our thighs, we have a puncture, all those.
02:15:22 And we are thinking about it, how are we going to make it.
02:15:25 But the plan is that we woke up this morning, we said, "No, my friend, let's go and construct the road."
02:15:31 The potholes, everything, there's sand on the roadside.
02:15:35 Let's start taking the sand and close the potholes on the road so that it can help all of us.
02:15:42 So as we are here, we are here for the nation.
02:15:44 And we are here for all of us. Those people stay around Dohenya and Thema.
02:15:49 They are coming, they have to reach office around maybe 12, 12 and 11am.
02:15:55 But we have to see, the road was very bad.
02:15:58 So we start doing it as the government is looking, as we are here.
02:16:03 We are here for all of us. We are here for all Afghans.
02:16:08 Everyone is using this road.
02:16:10 People from Thamale, people from Takrade, everyone uses this road.
02:16:14 So even though the time we reach here, some of them blast their time.
02:16:19 And we say that, have you seen it? It's very bad. It's breaking all of us.
02:16:23 So as we are here, we are here for helping all of us.
02:16:26 Alright, thank you. So when you arrived here around 5am, what was the traffic situation?
02:16:31 There's a huge traffic from here to Prampram, Ashama overhead.
02:16:36 From Prampram to Dohenya road, that's where the traffic from.
02:16:40 So we are here, we are working, we are doing our best.
02:16:43 Ok, let me engage Asante to a bit.
02:16:45 So you came here around 5am.
02:16:47 Yes, please.
02:16:48 And in fact, when I arrived here, I saw you actually pouring this on to the road.
02:16:53 And tell us, when you came and now, what has changed in terms of the traffic flow?
02:16:58 Oh please, we started to fill the portals. Now we see that the traffic is moving.
02:17:03 It's moving, it's moving. So now, what we have did, maybe people are too appreciative.
02:17:08 They can give us something small. We don't think about any money or something.
02:17:11 But we just use our own money to buy water.
02:17:13 And today, our sales, we don't think about sales.
02:17:16 For the nursing, we think about nursing.
02:17:18 So today's sales, whether we get it or we don't get it, that one is not concern us.
02:17:23 You see? So we just, we just, I mean, help the nursing that the traffic should move.
02:17:31 And it should move and move to help everybody.
02:17:33 So why have you decided to forfeit your daily sales?
02:17:37 I mean, if you are going to work today, you would have made some good money.
02:17:41 And you are spending the time to do all of this. Why?
02:17:44 I volunteer. As a volunteer, you don't think about whatever you get today or tomorrow.
02:17:50 Maybe something's going to happen. You don't know.
02:17:52 So that's why we decided to come here, to come and fill the portals for everybody.
02:17:56 It's not me alone.
02:17:57 So I use this motorway day in, day out, night, every day.
02:18:02 So I just help everybody to fill the portals and it should work nicely.
02:18:06 All right. Share with us your experience on this stretch.
02:18:09 I mean, in the night, when you drive on this road, the fact that we have no street light
02:18:13 and this particular portion is very bad.
02:18:16 Share those experiences with us.
02:18:18 In terms of light situation, we have a problem.
02:18:22 In case maybe your light is not good at all,
02:18:25 if you are driving in the night on the motorway, you can't see anything.
02:18:28 You can't see anything. And there's a portal on the motorway.
02:18:31 So if you are coming, if you really make careful, you just burst your tire.
02:18:35 You burst your tire and if you didn't get careful, you just get accident
02:18:39 and maybe you will fall in something.
02:18:42 So that's why we volunteer ourselves to help the people.
02:18:44 And those who doesn't know the road well, if they are using the road, they will use the road carefully.
02:18:49 All right. So do you intend to spend the whole day here?
02:18:52 Yes, I intend to spend the whole day here to help the people.
02:18:56 I don't mind. I don't mind. I don't mind.
02:19:00 I don't get my six. I don't mind.
02:19:05 I want to spend the whole day here to help everybody.
02:19:08 What would you want to say to the Ghana Highways Authority
02:19:12 and the road ministry regarding the state of this road,
02:19:15 in fact, the potholes at this particular spot?
02:19:18 Please, the Ghana Highway, they know that the road is poor.
02:19:24 But they know that the road is poor.
02:19:27 But I don't know the reason why they don't want to fix the road for us.
02:19:31 Because they are using siren and other things.
02:19:34 So if they are coming, they just use motorcade and pass.
02:19:37 So we can spend the whole day on the motorway.
02:19:40 As an example, our 4x2, the 4x2 is expensive.
02:19:44 So you just be on the motorway and just spend your petrol and so much of things.
02:19:50 And you see, the day will be...
02:19:54 You just waste the entire time. Thank you so much, Asante.
02:19:58 Before I let you go, what would you want to say to the ministry of road
02:20:03 as well as Ghana Highways Authority?
02:20:05 Actually, the ministry of road, Oforiata and what do you call?
02:20:10 Amakwata. You mean Amakwata?
02:20:12 Honorable Amakwata, he is aware that the road was very bad.
02:20:16 But maybe the income is not coming.
02:20:18 So we can't put pressure on him.
02:20:20 But he also has to think about us.
02:20:22 As the thing is going wrong, he needs to take care of us.
02:20:26 And he needs to come on the road and look at it.
02:20:29 If the road is not done, some of the potholes should be covered.
02:20:34 And we need, we all of us, we are the nation.
02:20:40 So we also need to help.
02:20:42 But there is nothing bad.
02:20:44 Even though today we leave our cars.
02:20:46 Sales, getting the money is not a problem for us.
02:20:49 We don't have, but we know that we don't have.
02:20:52 But we also try our best to help all of us on the road.
02:20:55 Alright, so the lathrite you are using to fill the pothole,
02:20:59 if it rains now, it's going to be washed away.
02:21:02 Do you intend to come here regularly to ensure that this...
02:21:06 Yeah, even though the tools we are using,
02:21:08 the wheelbarrow and the shovel, I went to rent it from someone.
02:21:13 I rent it to do the work for ourselves.
02:21:16 So we rent a machine to do the work.
02:21:19 So all from your own resources?
02:21:21 Yeah, it's from my pocket.
02:21:23 I use my own money to rent the shovel and the wheelbarrow to do the work.
02:21:28 People are driving through, they don't even buy water for us.
02:21:32 But we don't care, we don't mind.
02:21:34 We don't look at anyone.
02:21:35 So we are praying.
02:21:37 Thank you so much.
02:21:38 So that was Emmanuel as well as Asante.
02:21:42 They are two ride-hailing drivers who are currently on the motorway.
02:21:47 And what they are doing is that they are filling the pothole with some lathrite here.
02:21:51 And according to them, it's their own way of solving the problem or helping solve the problem.
02:21:58 And so we are still here on the Lakpakpa Bridge,
02:22:02 where potholes are just uncountable.
02:22:06 And as you can see in your shot, that's Asante and Emmanuel.
02:22:11 They are risking their lives, you know, trying to fill these potholes to enhance free flow of traffic.
02:22:18 I mean, they deserve some commendation, but their safety is what we are looking at.
02:22:24 And since morning, they've been here from 5 a.m. up to now.
02:22:28 And indeed, we can say that the flow of traffic has improved a bit
02:22:33 because it's making vehicles to move a bit faster at this spot.
02:22:38 The only concern is that if it rains now, this particular material you see in your shot definitely is going to be washed away.
02:22:46 And so you can look at the traffic situation from this angle, and this is it.
02:22:50 So when the vehicles get to this portion, they need to slow down,
02:22:54 which is creating the snake effect, all the way to the Ajay Kodjo and sometimes to Ashaiman and the pass.
02:23:02 And so what they are doing is definitely a temporary measure just to enhance free flow of traffic.
02:23:09 They intend to be here the entire day to ensure that vehicles are able to move.
02:23:15 And so what you are seeing are live pictures from the Accra-Tama motorway on the Accra-bound stretch of the motorway.
02:23:23 I have one, you know, motorist who would want to share his experience with us on this particular spot.
02:23:30 Yeah, so you are live on Joy News. Give us your name and tell us how long have you been in this traffic this morning?
02:23:38 About almost one hour and 30 minutes now.
02:23:40 And my name is Nene Matedo. I'm the chief of Osudoku and I'm a Kapua driver.
02:23:48 Almost one hour and 30 minutes from Motu-I-Ran about getting to this Abatwa, one hour and 30 minutes.
02:23:57 And it's very embarrassment. It's big embarrassment. Thank you very much.
02:24:02 What then would you want to say to the authorities regarding this situation?
02:24:06 I don't know. I don't know what to tell them. It's a shame. It's a big shame.
02:24:11 And there's nothing I can do because I'm a staff of Ghana Port Authority.
02:24:15 I don't want to be sacked because if you don't know how to talk, they just sack you.
02:24:20 So I beg. I'm thinking of my wife and my children. Thank you very much.
02:24:24 So impact on your fuel and the time you spend?
02:24:28 Yes. I have to go and work in the afternoon. By 1.30 to have to be in the port.
02:24:34 And I'm going to service my car at Abosokai and look at the inconvenience. It's a big embarrassment.
02:24:43 So you drive at Ghana Port and Harbours Authority which means that you often use this road in the night and all that.
02:24:49 Share your personal experience with us when you get to this particular spot.
02:24:52 This particular spot, every day there's traffic on this. Particularly this area.
02:24:58 And you know when you are driving at night, all of a sudden some car will just break down and if you are not careful, you jam the car.
02:25:06 So here is, we the drivers call here "dead trap". This is a dead trap.
02:25:13 And it's a big embarrassment. Because even having been to outside, I know Togo, Benin, Nigeria,
02:25:20 I've been driving there, no Burkina. And these people, we don't regard them.
02:25:24 But when you go to that country, you don't see these things there. So it's a big embarrassment.
02:25:29 So thank you very much.
02:25:30 Alright. Please say your name again.
02:25:31 Yeah. My office name is Bismarck Harrison Lawe. But I'm a chief.
02:25:36 Yeah. Nenemate Dua II of Osuduku.
02:25:39 Thank you so much for speaking to us. Have a safe journey and please drive safe.
02:25:43 And so that was a motorist actually sharing his thoughts with us with regards to the potholes on this particular Accra bound stretch of the Accra-Tama motorway.
02:25:55 And so that's the traffic situation. We'll try to see if we can zoom in far away so you can see the length of this particular gridlock here on the Accra bound stretch of the Accra-Tama motorway.
02:26:07 It goes all the way to Ajayi Kojo. And according to them, drivers say they are spending hours in this gridlock just to cross about five or so kilometers.
02:26:18 And so the pictures you see are live pictures from the Accra-Tama motorway where two ride-hailing drivers have actually decided this morning to volunteer the entire day to fill this pothole,
02:26:33 which is actually helping ease free flow of traffic. I'll try and see if I can get some of the motorists to speak to and then to find out from them what they make of the situation.
02:26:45 Yeah. So these are live pictures in your shot. And so we will be trying to speak to other motorists to find out from them what they make of the volunteer work that these two ride-hailing drivers are actually undertaking.
02:27:01 And also the long term permanent solution that they would want the authorities to look at. And so we are coming to you live from the Accra-Tama motorway.
02:27:12 It's a bit difficult getting some of the motorists to speak to. But as you can see in your shot, the pothole situation has created a lot, a lot of gridlock on the stretch.
02:27:26 Let me try and bring your attention to how bad the road is. It's a bit dangerous, but we're going to be careful to try to show to you.
02:27:36 So you can see in your shot here, this is the level of damage. And this is just one out of the hundreds of the potholes on this particular stretch.
02:27:49 Other places you could even see iron rods. In fact, when I arrived here, portions of it, iron rods were still exposed.
02:27:56 But because the latrites have been poured onto it, it's been filled up. And that's why we are unable to see iron rods.
02:28:03 But all of this pothole, when the vehicles get to this point, they are compelled to slow down, which is actually causing the gridlock you see behind.
02:28:12 And so we'll keep our eye on the situation and try to see if we can speak to some motorists.
02:28:19 And so if you are watching us, these are live pictures from the Akratama motorway.
02:28:24 And the updates or the news is that two ride-hailing drivers have decided to volunteer today to fill this pothole here this morning.
02:28:37 According to them, the neglect and the experiences they've had on the stretch is a bit too much for them.
02:28:44 And they wouldn't want others or other road users to go through such a situation.
02:28:49 For which reason, they have decided to undertake this particular work that you see in your picture.
02:28:57 And so that's the situation we are trying to see if we can speak to some of the motorists.
02:29:02 For now, it's a bit difficult getting them. But that is the situation here on the Akratama motorway.
02:29:11 [AUDIO OUT]
02:29:17 That is my colleague Carlos Calone, of course, bringing us the latest from the Temma motorway stretch.
02:29:25 The unfortunate scenes, and you can still see in your shot, what they are having to do.
02:29:31 And even with this patchwork, should there be any rain, it will all be washed away.
02:29:36 And that is creating quite a situation by way of the traffic congestion, the gridlock on that stretch.
02:29:43 We'll bring you more on that in our subsequent shows and bulletins.
02:29:50 But do stay with us. We'll be back with a lot more. We had that conversation on dialysis as far as our medical facilities are concerned.
02:29:59 And the latest statement from the Kolibu Teaching Hospital.
02:30:03 Well, saying that it is going back, it is rescinding its decision to increase the charges.
02:30:11 And we know what the dynamics are by way of tax. We'll be bringing you details of that right after the break.
02:30:18 Before we take that break, though, your favorite TV game show in Ghana, Step Up, is back with another amazing season.
02:30:24 This time we're stepping up with Syntex Tank. Step Up with Syntex Tank.
02:30:28 We'll see contestants answer trivia questions to win cash prizes of 400 Ghana CDs all the way up to the sum of over 6,000 Ghana CDs weekly.
02:30:38 And also get other products from our sponsors.
02:30:41 This season, you viewing at home should watch out for the Syntex question of the week.
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02:30:57 The person who answers most of the weekly questions the fastest gets a 65-inch Samsung television at the end of the season.
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02:31:17 We'll be right back after the break.
02:31:21 [music]
02:31:48 [music]
02:31:53 Welcome back on the AM Show. I did hint before we took that short break that we'll be heading to Kolibu.
02:31:59 We're going to have an interaction now with the CEO of the Kolibu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampoma.
02:32:07 Doc, a very good morning to you. Thank you so much for joining the conversation this morning.
02:32:11 Good morning, Benjamin.
02:32:13 Good to have you. So in recent days, we've been very concerned on the back of what we heard,
02:32:18 that there were some moves to increase the cost of dialysis at the Kolibu Teaching Hospital.
02:32:23 Then we heard from the likes of the Kampuwa Nochi Teaching Hospital, among others, saying they would maintain their prices.
02:32:30 And then we heard from Kolibu that, look, it is not our fault. It's because of the taxes on these products.
02:32:38 But we hear today that in your latest release, you are rescinding on that decision and saying that you're going back to the final or the earlier costs.
02:32:50 Just walk me through how we got here. And I have your statement. If you'll bear with me, I'll just read portions of it.
02:32:57 It says this is to inform the general public and our patients that a price review proposal presented by the Renal Dialysis Unit
02:33:04 is yet to receive consideration and approval by management of the Kolibu Teaching Hospital.
02:33:09 Any proposed fee will be forwarded to Parliament through the Ministry of Health for approval.
02:33:14 It is only after the due parliamentary approval that any revised fees will be implemented.
02:33:19 So let me ask you, that then means that the price restructuring is still on the table, right?
02:33:27 Yes, please.
02:33:29 OK. But it's not to the same extent. So let me, I think you asked a very good question.
02:33:35 So let us walk through how we got here. So under normal circumstances, based on the cost of inputs,
02:33:45 the department will make proposals for adjustments in the fees or tariffs for any particular service that is being rendered.
02:33:53 In this case, the Dialysis Unit put in a proposal for a review of fees and tariffs.
02:34:01 But internally, it will go to the head of the medical department, who will then review it,
02:34:08 and then it will pass on to the Director of Medical Affairs, who reviews it, and then brings it to the CEO,
02:34:12 and then CEO tables it at the central management team. And then once we are OK with that, the board also approves it,
02:34:18 and we send it through the Ministry of Health to Parliament for approval.
02:34:23 So at each stage, this proposal undergoes review and scrutinization, because we don't have to look at things just from the department's perspective,
02:34:31 but we also look at it in terms of our client base, you know, for that.
02:34:35 So we have to have this kind of stakeholder, wider stakeholder engagement, that would then help us to settle on a price,
02:34:43 enable us to at least break even recover costs, and then also not overburden our patients.
02:34:50 But unfortunately, this one was even just at the, was even yet to hit the Director of Medical Affairs deck.
02:34:57 So unfortunately, somebody jumped the gun. So there was a bit of, I mean, you know, as I said, jumping the gun there.
02:35:06 And so that post-op was rather premature, because the final figure has not even been settled on yet,
02:35:14 because it's after the review process, we'll take it and up all the way to Parliament.
02:35:18 And then Parliament also reviews and can decide to approve or to even amend it further, you know.
02:35:23 So those are, that's the kind of process that we go through.
02:35:26 So I would like to apologize to the public for any, you know, the fear and panic that this has caused.
02:35:35 And we would, you know, we are doing the needful.
02:35:38 But it must be also said that the current tariff was set a couple of years ago,
02:35:45 and definitely we know that there's a movement in, you know, prices,
02:35:50 and therefore, I mean, our service is not immune from those variations.
02:35:54 So definitely there has to be a review. But as to what quantum is what is yet to be determined.
02:36:00 Doc, you apologize for the fear and panic that this may have created.
02:36:05 And I know it's a very tricky spot to be in.
02:36:08 But the reality, too, is that with the tax exemptions that have been taken off some of the logistics that you use for these products,
02:36:18 it means that cost has gone up for you, for your outfit. And of course, it's been a number of years.
02:36:26 Let's face the reality. Things cost a lot more. Right.
02:36:32 OK, thank you very much. But I think that's also an erroneous impression that has been created because there's no tax exemption that has been taken off.
02:36:40 No new taxes have been introduced on the medical consumables.
02:36:45 But then, unfortunately, so in this is sometimes when people don't have complete information, sometimes they can create some of these distortions.
02:36:55 Now, in this particular, just just just just my apologies before you go on.
02:37:00 We have heard that the Piarro has stated that I was referring to you.
02:37:07 I was referring to you. OK. All right. I'm just talking about how we got here.
02:37:12 So I'm not blaming a person. But what I'm saying is that in this particular is that so let's say somebody at the Rena unit,
02:37:18 if you speak to someone at the Rena unit, he's going to tell you that in this particular instance,
02:37:23 we paid for what we call it. We paid a duty on the on the on the consumables that we received.
02:37:33 But it was because of a peculiar situation. It wasn't because that, you know, anybody had taken off any waiver.
02:37:40 What usually happens is that usually these consumers arrive by sea freight.
02:37:44 So once the bill of lading is sent to us, we we apply to the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Health and the process,
02:37:51 you know, to get a waiver so that by the time the goods arrive, we get the waiver has been approved and then we get a waiver.
02:37:58 We get a consent. So we don't pay those. But then we had a peculiar situation this time because the stock level of consumables were low.
02:38:07 And we had and of course, that's at the location because there were some contractor issues with the main supplier and which were ironing out.
02:38:16 So it took a while for this to get for the by. We eventually got it sorted.
02:38:19 But then because of the agency, these goods were air freighted, you know, in.
02:38:26 And so we because we didn't want the service to run out, we needed to clear them quickly.
02:38:30 And of course, the paperwork takes a while to go through. And so we're looking at the cost of storage at the airport with the demarage.
02:38:41 You know, when your goods stay beyond a few months. So we're looking at the, you know, the tax that we're going to pay versus the demarage.
02:38:51 Look, looking at the time frame, we may actually end up paying more if we go for the waiver.
02:38:58 So we said to them, you know, just pay and get get them clear so that our patients can, you know, get the services coming to you.
02:39:05 So that was sort of that. So in this particular case, it wasn't because we're denied any waiver or anybody had imposed any new tax.
02:39:13 But because of the particular situation we're in at the moment. So that needs to be clarified.
02:39:18 All right. So let me let me try to reframe what you're saying to ensure that I correctly get everything you're saying.
02:39:27 The discussion we have had up to this point suggests that some exemptions on your medical supplies,
02:39:35 including that attached to dialysis or used for dialysis, had been taken off,
02:39:42 for which reason you are now having to pay more and which would also translate into more cost for those patients who need dialysis.
02:39:51 You are saying here that that is not the case. Yes, that is. But yes, that's what I'm saying. That is not the case.
02:39:57 All right. You are also saying that this is a one off. Why in this particular instance, we paid.
02:40:03 So if you talk to somebody that is listening, they may say, oh, we paid for it.
02:40:08 But the reason is, you know, is not what I mean, what is being attributed to.
02:40:16 So, again, I'm providing just for the sake of clarity.
02:40:20 So this also means that this was a one off situation and that moving forward, you will not face the same challenge.
02:40:27 It's actually happened. I think some time, I think a year or two ago, we had a similar situation.
02:40:32 So it was a one off. So administratively, we absorbed that cost. So we didn't pass it on to the patient.
02:40:39 OK, so what happened this time for you to even consider passing on the cost?
02:40:45 No, we have not. That's what I'm saying, that it is a proposal from the department level.
02:40:49 So that that proposal is yet to be reviewed by management.
02:40:54 So that's the proposal. That is what I think I want to touch.
02:40:58 So from what point did that proposal come? My point is, if there's a proposal,
02:41:03 that it means that some shocks must have been felt for it to be even be contemplated that it ought to be passed on.
02:41:10 So from from which level did that money before this current arrived?
02:41:16 There's already been a discussion that we need to be able to do that.
02:41:21 The current charges were set a couple of years ago.
02:41:24 So even following the normal trend of the price of goods and services,
02:41:28 we all would agree that there has to be some review of the current tariffs.
02:41:34 But then in terms of the specific cost for the renal service,
02:41:38 they needed to factor in the actual cost of the consumables.
02:41:42 And because the supply from the, what's called, the supply, I mean, the supply has stopped
02:41:50 and we didn't have the actual invoice, it would be difficult to have a specific proposal.
02:41:56 So it is when this came in, then they were able to put numbers to the proposal and the effort.
02:42:03 So that's why now we're going through the process to come for approval or review at management level.
02:42:08 If management thinks this is OK, and then to be processed further.
02:42:13 How long have you been aware of this proposal that was snuck out or put out?
02:42:18 I'm saying that this proposal is not even done the rounds at the centre level.
02:42:24 So this is something that has not even reached the medical director at the time that this thing came out.
02:42:32 So as of the time it came out, you were not aware of it?
02:42:37 At the time it came out, it had not reached the chief executive's office yet.
02:42:41 So if the director of medical affairs, it was just at the department level.
02:42:45 So this was a proposal from the unit. The unit works in a department.
02:42:49 So from the unit, it went to the head of department.
02:42:51 So it was at the department level. It hadn't even gotten to the director of medical affairs,
02:42:55 who also reviewed further and then passed it on to the chief executive and then it goes out.
02:43:01 So that is the process.
02:43:03 And I'm saying that it was, the unit had passed it on.
02:43:06 I'm sure somebody thought that once it had gone, then maybe it had been approved or whatever.
02:43:14 I don't know what was informed.
02:43:16 But that's why we are, so immediately the director of medical affairs became aware that this had happened.
02:43:22 A directive was issued to them to pull down the notice and to revert the oath.
02:43:29 You know, as necessary approval has been received from the parliament before they can go ahead.
02:43:38 Was this not just a reaction based on the hue and cry, the outcry by people?
02:43:43 That is why you pulled down the notice.
02:43:45 Because if you say it hadn't got to your office, you were not in the know,
02:43:49 and yet a notice had been put up like this, I'm struggling to tie the loose ends.
02:43:56 Unfortunately, that is what happened. I can only speak to the facts.
02:43:59 You want me to tell you the facts, I'm saying that that is what happened.
02:44:02 And so, of course, in institutions, some of these grants are in a human institution.
02:44:06 People have different levels of information.
02:44:08 Somebody, you know, and of course it's gone viral because this is something that would have been taken immediately.
02:44:15 You know, and because it's the era of social media, something that happens and it goes immediately viral.
02:44:23 So that is why it's become a huge issue.
02:44:26 But it is not like, you know, and I said I can only speak to the facts as it happened.
02:44:32 All right. So that points to some administrative lapses, and I know you'll get that fixed.
02:44:36 But my final bit to you.
02:44:38 That's why we are, you know, internally would do an internal image to see what happened.
02:44:44 Because, you know, and so of course some people also need to be educated as to, you know, when, who can do what and all that.
02:44:51 So it is part of the internal things that we will do to make sure that some of things like this do not happen again.
02:44:57 My final bit to you, sir, right before you take leave of us, and we're grateful for your time.
02:45:01 But so you've spoken about the other bits. I mean, in terms of the review, the cost review, for example,
02:45:08 whether for these products or these logistics and others, it's been a number of years.
02:45:14 There have been no increments. Are there likely to be increments any time soon?
02:45:21 Yes. So we already have a proposal in Parliament for some of the other, you know, for review of fees and charges, which is being considered.
02:45:33 In the case of this particular Rena dialysis, at that time, a certain benchmark figure was used.
02:45:39 Okay. And so you look at numbers, see whether that benchmark figure needs to be revised or not.
02:45:44 So that is the kind of, you know, I could have to keep that.
02:45:49 And then, of course, we've got to stick with the engagement to make sure that we are coming out with a tariff that doesn't overburden the patient and also allows us to also sustain the service.
02:46:03 Doc, we're grateful that you took the time to join us and we wish you the very best.
02:46:07 Thank you so much, Ben. Another good day.
02:46:09 I wish you the same. That is Dr. Opukuare Ampoma. He is CEO of the Kolebu Teaching Hospital.
02:46:17 When we return from our next break, we'll be getting interactive with you, taking some calls, just hearing from you what your thoughts are on the discussions we've been having here this morning.
02:46:30 Do stay. We'll be right back.
02:46:32 [Music]
02:47:01 Well, thank you very much for staying. This is how we conclude the conversation this morning.
02:47:06 We told you about the Tema Stretch and we put out this question. Have you used the Tema Motorway lately?
02:47:13 Share your experience with us. And some of you have shared your comments.
02:47:16 We'll also take your calls on that all-important matter. You can call that number at the bottom of your screen. 0302 211 691.
02:47:24 But let's check out some of what messages you've been sending through thus far.
02:47:28 So, Christiana Enyonam-Atipo says, "Go slow from Ashaiman Overhead to the Nutri Foods Company because of a bigger pothole.
02:47:37 Our president says the next government will fix it." She's alluding to what Mr. President told my colleague, Kojo Brace.
02:47:43 "Let's wait. Why? I don't know why some people are even in a hurry to cross the motorway.
02:47:49 The 'go slow' is fine, like you are sightseeing." Sorry, I'm not feeling well.
02:47:54 So this person is being sarcastic. Sightseeing. You have to slow down no matter what.
02:47:59 Nadesa Ajay says, "We've had to memorize the various spots of these potholes." I had to do that in recent times because I've used it often.
02:48:06 "We've had to memorize the various spots of these potholes just to keep safe.
02:48:10 Then you add prayers to finish the journey in one piece."
02:48:14 Impaibo Kakra, caution and so Kakra. I feel you Kakra.
02:48:18 All right. There's also this one. Let's see. Nana Kwame Udusei says, "Yes, Todd's tema is relatively OK."
02:48:26 Todd's Akrad, yeah, that one. For the value shake.
02:48:30 Let's get to some others. And there's a response there. Let's see how many more messages we can take.
02:48:37 OK, so this one, Nana says, "Yes, these are some of the things we should be doing.
02:48:41 Good work. Hold people who are being paid for with taxpayers' money accountable not to meddle with the dirty politics in Ghana."
02:48:51 I believe we have a call on the line. Hello?
02:48:54 Hello.
02:48:55 Good morning. Your name, where are you calling from?
02:48:57 My name is Hama. I'm calling from 18th Junction.
02:49:01 18th Junction. Did you say Manaf?
02:49:04 Hama. Hama. Hama.
02:49:06 Hama. OK. What are your thoughts for us?
02:49:08 Yeah, my thoughts is that I see we try to pay for this with everything.
02:49:13 This motorway road, I said, is a long way back.
02:49:17 Eh? It's not that because the situation is not just recent. It's been for, for, rather, from Kufort's time up to this time.
02:49:25 So I don't see the reason why they are trying to bring this current government.
02:49:29 The thing is that we should get national development.
02:49:32 Because we shouldn't, it's like everything's in this, every government comes, they have their own agenda.
02:49:39 You see, so that's my thought. We should try to have national development, a, what do you call it, agenda or what?
02:49:46 Yeah. I don't understand, they're going to pay this part of it.
02:49:48 So you're telling me, Hama, and this started not even with Kufort, even in the Fourth Republic, it's been a problem.
02:49:53 Yes, it's been a problem.
02:49:54 Because this was given to us by Nkrumah anyway.
02:49:56 But I'm trying to say, which administration is in power now?
02:49:59 Which entity will solve this problem?
02:50:01 The entity is in power now. But I'm saying that, from Kufort's time coming, we're having this problem on the motorway.
02:50:07 From Kufort's time up to that time, from Kufort's time, Mahomet's time up to Kufort's time, we're having this problem on the motorway.
02:50:14 So how do we solve it? How do we solve it?
02:50:16 That's what I'm saying, that we have to have national development.
02:50:21 Because it's like, you know, that road is costly. And every government has to work to touch it.
02:50:27 All right, Hana, thank you very much for sharing your thoughts with us.
02:50:32 But like it or not, whether it's the previous administration, we would have spoken about it vis-à-vis the previous administration.
02:50:40 There's an administration in power now. They must deal with the problems.
02:50:43 That's the way it is.
02:50:45 Benjamin Tay, the general pathologist, says, I don't use any other routes more than this.
02:50:51 Very bad, especially the Temakrasai. Tires have been bursting every day on that side.
02:50:55 And even worse, you know, there are certain enclaves.
02:50:58 You don't want to stop there, even if you have an incident, because you will get attacked.
02:51:03 That's even worse. You know, we have a call on the line.
02:51:06 Hello. Good morning. Hello.
02:51:10 Hello. Good morning. Your name. Where are you calling from?
02:51:13 Good morning. Daniel. Western Region.
02:51:15 Western Region. Right. Where in the Western Region?
02:51:20 From Western Region. All right. Go ahead, Daniel.
02:51:24 Okay. First of all, let me speak to you.
02:51:27 I congratulate you for the wonderful work that you are doing for Mother Ghana.
02:51:31 Thank you, sir.
02:51:33 If it's some of our purpose, who should we blame?
02:51:39 We have a citizen president who always says he has done a lot more than all the presidents in the fourth republic.
02:51:48 Year of growth. Year of growth. Year of growth. What has happened?
02:51:52 During Mohammed's time, do you see that kind of photos are there?
02:51:56 Which way? This is what Mohammed's time. Mohammed will have faces.
02:52:00 Long time ago. Look at what the caller says.
02:52:04 He is from the past. He has only agenda.
02:52:08 What agenda is he talking of?
02:52:11 All right. Thank you.
02:52:12 He has failed totally. MPP has failed.
02:52:17 Thank you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
02:52:19 But then again, we shouldn't over politicize it.
02:52:22 My only point is it's not so much NDC MPP.
02:52:25 We have an administration in power now. We have problems.
02:52:29 Let them deal with the problems. That's that's basically it.
02:52:33 Just to wrap, maybe John Denton, you have to memorize.
02:52:36 Okay. I think we've already taken a look at that. Those have been some of your reactions.
02:52:41 Nana West, Dream Big. How much cement will cost an individual?
02:52:45 Will it cost an individual to do this or none of the drivers passing there can?
02:52:50 Okay. I don't think that is the right way to go. And you say cement.
02:52:53 Well, it's actually concrete. Yes. And we've left left it to deteriorate to this point.
02:53:00 And we keep patching it with asphalt and all kinds of other mixes.
02:53:04 But anyway, if you're going to be using that stretch, just be careful.
02:53:07 My name is Benjamin Akakwe. And I'm so glad that you took the time to join us right here on the AM show this morning.
02:53:14 God willing, we'll be back with a banger and a surprise for you tomorrow morning.
02:53:19 Just look forward to that one. It's going to be a whole new AM show.
02:53:24 You'd be surprised. Gladly. But for now, stay tuned for Joy News Desk up next.
02:53:31 [Music]
02:53:34 [Music]
02:53:37 [Music]
02:53:41 [Music]
02:53:44 [Music]
02:53:50 [Music]
02:53:57 [Music]
02:54:05 (upbeat music)

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