Quashigah Decries Filthy Environment (page 19)

Story: Lucy Adoma Yeboah

THE Minister of Health, Major Courage Quashigah (retd), has decried the attitude of some Ghanaians who continually make the environment filthy, in spite of persistent education.
He expressed worry about the volume of filth around, and noted that it was one of the biggest problems facing the country.
Speaking to journalists during his ministry’s End-of Year staff get-together in Accra, Major Quashigah said “Ghanaians are a beautiful people, but the environment does not look like them”.
He said many of the country’s health-related problems could be solved if the people lived in a clean environment, did physical exercises, ate fruits and vegetables and drank enough water. “Cleanliness is important for a healthy living,” he stressed.
He observed that one important aspect of exercises which many people ignored was dancing, and urged Ghanaians to show interest in dancing.
He touched on the public health sector’s new policy of regenerative health and nutrition, adding that so far, 32 districts in all the 10 regions of the country had already been introduced to the programme for a better health.
Addressing the staff of the ministry, Maj. Quashigah advised them to work hard, since hard work was always rewarded and took the opportunity to commend them for playing their part effectively in the past year.
The Guest of Honour for the occasion, who was a former Director of the then Ghana Medical Service, Dr E. N. Mensah, told the staff about the importance of discipline and hard work, adding that “the era that manna fell from the heavens is passed”.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Lepowura M.N. D. Jawula, advised against lateness to work and said since they were in a strategic position as health sector workers, it was important for them to set good examples for others to emulate.
As part of the programme, Dr Kofi Ahmed, the Chief Medical Officer of the MoH, and Mr George Agyenfrah of the Traditional Alternative Medicine Division were given awards for high performance. While Mr Edward Yamoah was adjudged the Best Driver for the year, Ms Seraphina Isahak, a Secretary, and Mr Harrison Darkwa, a Clerk, were given awards for punctuality.
The Government Spokesperson on Social Services, Mr Kofi Amponsah Bediako, was given a special award for a good work done.