Thirsty world: Desperate quest for water Oct 21, 2008
The most widespread types are dracunculiasis, or guinea worm disease, in which a worm up to a meter long eventually and painfully emerges from the victim's skin; and schistosomiasis, a blood infection from a parasitic flatworm that causes chronic debilitation as well as liver and intestinal damage. Schistosomiasis, which currently infects 200 million people in seventy countries, is so prevalent in certain African and East Asian communities that the process of overcoming disease is considered an... (CNN)
Eight Years Of Moving Backwards Is Enough! Sep 1, 2008
Ghana started moving forward during the period of President Rawlings, when the guinea worm disease was reduced to a zero level and has only resurfaced under the watch of the NPP.. Ghana started moving forward when the illicit drug trade was not allowed to flourish in Ghana, with busted barons having their assets confiscated, and those confiscated assets, de-confiscated, when Akufo-Addo became Attorney General. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Ghana And Stomach Politics. Jul 31, 2008
From guinea worm disease to HIV/AIDS, unemployment to ethnic violence. These problems become markers of injustice , discrimination and lack of human rights. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Chatham Rotary Club joins efforts to provide clean water in Ghana Jul 30, 2008
The director of the Carter Centre in Ghana has indicated that Guinea Worm Disease has declined 90 percent this year in the areas where improvements have been made. The goal is to reach the remaining villages by 2010 and eliminate the Guinea Worm parasite. (Chatham Star Tribune, VA)
Maternal deaths on the increase in Northern Region Jun 5, 2008
As at April 2008, 215 cases had been recorded as against 2,417 in 2007, representing a reduction of about 91 per cent. "We need everybody on board to give the Guinea worm disease the last push," Dr. Twumasi said. Source:GNA. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Minister briefs British Government on Northern problems May 20, 2008
Rather, he said, new problems including the guinea worm disease had emerged, which needed further support to combat to enhance the area's development. Alhaji Idris raised these concerns when Mr. Nicholas Westcott, the British High Commissioner in Ghana paid a courtesy call on him in Tamale on Monday. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
GWCL takes measures to improve revenue collection May 20, 2008
The DCE appealed to Biwater to partner the District Assembly to connect pipelines to Gbullung, Nyankpala and the communities along the Tamale-Tolon road to provide the people with potable water to help reduce the incidence of guinea worm disease in the district. The Kumbun-Naa Alhaji Abu Iddi, Paramount Chief of Kumbungu, expressed the hope that with the inauguration of the WATSAN Committees the payment of water bills in the communities would improve. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Jimmy Carter hints he'd support Obama Apr 5, 2008
Carter was in Nigeria for a ceremony celebrating a reduction in Guinea worm disease in West Africa. Picking the president: The candidates. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Carter welcomes reduction in Guinea worm cases in Ghana Apr 2, 2008
He said; "With continued diligence, dedication and political will, Ghana could be finally within reach of its long sought goal of recording zero cases of guinea worm disease". President Carter expressed the sentiments when he visited Ghana to follow up the country's guinea worm control programme, which the Carter Centre was supporting. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Mills Responds to Nduom Mar 26, 2008
We are not surprised that Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum, having been part of the NPP government that has turned the clock of progress backwards and worsened the living standards of the ordinary Ghanaian to the extent that eradicated diseases like the guinea worm disease and yaws are rearing their ugly heads, would be clinging on to straws as part of his unnoticeable achievements. What happened to Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoums promise, as Energy Minister, to add 300 megawatts of power to the countrys energy... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
A Village Woman's Legacy Mar 21, 2008
20, 2008 By On a trip to Ghana in 2007, Carter visited a hospital where a girl was being treated for guinea worm disease ... Here was the most graphic and disturbing example I had ever seen of the centuries-old guinea worm disease and all its devastating consequences ... Encountering those victims firsthand, particularly the teenagers and small children, propelled me and Rosalynn to step up The Carter Center's efforts to eradicate guinea worm disease. (Time.com)
PRICE OF TURMOIL Jan 22, 2008
The 34-member board will this week consider advances in international efforts to combat pandemic influenza, eradicate polio and guinea worm disease, and prepare for health risks associated with climate change. It will also assess campaigns aimed at combating female genital mutilation, improving global immunisation coverage, and reinforcing health care systems in poorer countries. (AlertNet)
Measures taken to prevent guinea worm outbreak Jan 10, 2008
Tamale, Jan 9, GNA- Dr. Seidu Korkor, National Coordinator of the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP) has given the assurance that adequate measures had been taken to prevent guinea worm disease outbreak during "Ghana 2008" football tournament. He said personnel of the GWEP, sector agencies involved in water delivery and the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) had held several meetings to strategise to ensure that the disease was not a threat to the games. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Obi, Ohanaeze, APGA mourn Cyprian Ekwensi Nov 12, 2007
Nwosu recalled that the late literary icon who had started life as a pharmacist, played a crucial role in the eradication of the then dreaded guinea worm disease in old Anambra state as chairman of the state Health Management Board at the time when he (Nwosu) was Commissioner for Health. "It is a terrible blow. Some of us cannot regard him in the past tense. He gave me the slogan 'Get rid of guinea worm' when he was chairman Anambra State Health Management Board and I was Commissioner for Health... (Guardian News, Nigeria)
982.5 billion cedis needed to reconstruct Northern Ghana Oct 28, 2007
Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister expressed his fears that with the contamination of the sources of drinking water in the flood areas, it was likely the guinea worm disease would re-emerge and called on all stakeholders to help provide potable water for the people. He hoped the interventions of the World Bank and other development partners would help accelerate the economic development of Northern Ghana. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Addo-Kuffour's Curious Blind Spots Oct 19, 2007
When the country was eradicating the guinea worm disease, Rawlings was at the heart of that campaign. He was personally applauded by World renounced leaders such President Jimmy Carter, and Dr. Nuguchi for his efforts. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Carter Center at 25: Stateman's dream keeps world awake Oct 1, 2007
The center quickly focused its health efforts on neglected illnesses of the developing world, like Guinea worm disease. The parasite enters the body through contaminated water and grows to great length before exiting in painful blisters. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Ghana spends $777m on malaria treatment annually Sep 28, 2007
Major Quarshigah appealed to the people to cooperate with the various agencies to eliminate the guinea worm disease by drinking from safe water sources. "This is the time to plan a new strategy to re-launch an attack on the guinea worm disease", he said. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Standing ovation for Carters at film fest Sep 11, 2007
They extolled the virtues of Atlanta's Carter Center, which is celebrating its 25th year, Habitat for Humanity and their worldwide efforts to eradicate Guinea worm disease and other virtually ignored diseases. Some of the biggest applause came after Carter's response to an invitation to offer up advice to Canada. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Red Cross Society accuses government Aug 29, 2007
It also trained 414 women volunteers called mother clubs in the Kintampo, Atebubu-Amanteng and Pru districts where guinea worm disease is endemic as well as EU sponsored borehole projects. The Techiman Municipal Chairman, Mr. Joseph Y. Asuamah, thanked the society for assisting the municipality to organize the programme. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
I will not call my predecessors names - Mills Aug 25, 2007
Mills also thanked the Center for the very vital role it played in helping in the eradication of the guinea worm disease years ago and hoped that even though since 2001 the disease had resurfaced in unacceptable proportions, the Centre would once again lend its needed support to help eliminate the diseases in Ghana. The Cater Centre, represented by the Vice President John Stremlau and David Carrol, Director of the Democracy Programme, lauded the former Vice President of Ghana for his leadership... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
B/A Red Cross appeals for assistance Aug 2, 2007
Mr. Solomon Ganyoni, Regional Secretary of the Society, said the region was not yet free from the guinea worm disease and that areas including Kintampo and Jaman districts "were still guinea worm endemic areas". He said even though those areas continued to report cases of the disease, a remarkable achievement has been made with the assistance of the district health management team. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
NGO helping to eradicate guinea worm in N/R Jul 30, 2007
He advised beneficiary communities to use the facilities with care to prolong its life span and called on other NGOs and corporate bodies to assist eradicate the guinea worm disease from the Northern Region. Source:GNA. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Minister expresses disappointment at guinea worm resurgence Jul 26, 2007
Tamale, July 25, GNA - Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister, on Wednesday expressed disappointment at the country's inability to eradicate the guinea worm disease. "I am inwardly shaken and highly disappointed that we cannot yet announce a break-through in our eradication effort. "When we were parting after our meeting last year, we expressed the hope that we would break the transmission this year but unexpectedly, we have had a major outbreak in the Savelugu/Nanton District,"... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Aliu urges Muslims to take secular education seriously Jul 21, 2007
Nana Nyarko assured the Vice President that he had submitted a proposal to the District Assembly to tackle the Guinea worm disease. Vice President Mahama later interacted with the chiefs and people of Atebubu where he assured them of government's commitment to solve the town's water problems, upgrade the local SSS and District Hospital. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Exotic Diseases Jul 4, 2007
Sleeping Sickness, River Blindness and Guinea Worm Disease. Travellers to remote and faraway destinations beware. (Suite101.com)
EC/UNICEF water and sanitation project launched Jun 22, 2007
Alhaji Idris said it was therefore not surprising that the guinea worm disease continues to be a problem in nearly all the 18 districts of the region and increasing the risk of infection. For example in 2005, 313 former endemic villages became re-infected. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Step up efforts to solve acute water problem - Minister May 30, 2007
Alhaji Mustapha also urged WAWI to partner the government in its efforts at eradicating the guinea worm disease in the country, adding that, this would help in alleviating poverty among the people. He commended the organisation for being a partner in the sustainable development of the country and its drive towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) in 2015. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Guinea worm education needs acceleration - Committee May 11, 2007
She said the guinea worm disease was affecting the economic development of the country and that more importance had to be attached to efforts to eradicate it. Dr Sule Gariba, Executive Director of IPA, said it was necessary for policy makers, community and traditional leaders to speak with one positive voice as a means of eradicating the disease from the country. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Jimmy Carter to visit UC Irvine, talk with students UCI, Apr. 27 Apr 29, 2007
For decades, the Carter Center has worked to promote democracy, mediate conflict and improve global health through the eradication of diseases including Guinea worm disease and malaria. In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his "effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." While at UCI, he will be presented with the 2008 UCI Citizen Peacebuilding Award. (University of California Newswire, CA)
CWSA assist to eradicate guinea worm Apr 29, 2007
Tamale, April 28, GNA- The Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) in collaboration with other stakeholders through the provision of safe drinking water and improved sanitation have been supporting the national effort aimed at the eradication of the guinea worm disease in the Northern Region ... Mr. Adusei-Sarkodie said the infections rate of the guinea worm disease in the region had remained the same as at the first quarter of this year ... Mr. Adusei-Sarkodie said with the cooperation and... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Health Service records poor performance Apr 11, 2007
The guinea worm disease, he said, was noted as a problem and new strategies such as inaction of bylaws to prevent people from contaminating water sources, improving availability of portable water in all endemic areas, and strengthening of community based surveillance systems were devised for its total eradication. Ghana ranks second on the world table next to Sudan. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Worm disease set for eradication Mar 29, 2007
The World Health Organisation said Guinea worm disease, or dracunculiasis, now only affects around 25,000 people in nine countries. In the early 1980s an estimated 3 million people were infected in over 20 countries. (BBC News -- Africa)
WHO Says World Closer to Eradicating Guinea Worm Disease Mar 28, 2007
A trusted source of newsand information since 1942 (Voice of America)
Guinea worm nears eradication Mar 28, 2007
Accra, March 27, GNA - Efforts to eradicate guinea worm, a neglected tropical disease that has afflicted people since ancient times, has moved a step closer towards realisation with 12 more countries being declared guinea worm free in early March by the International Commission for the Certification of Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease) Eradication ... The statement said in the early 1980s, an estimated three million people in more than 20 countries were affected by Dracunculiasis, more... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
JICA supports guinea worm eradication in Northern Region Mar 18, 2007
The National Coordinator of the programme said guinea worm disease had become a focal problem and limited mostly to the Region, which recorded almost 90 per cent of all cases with the five districts accounting for nearly 80 per cent of reported cases ... Alhaji Idris said President John Agyekum Kufuor had taken the resurgence of the guinea worm disease in the country very seriously, and he would soon appoint a Special Assistant in charge of guinea worm eradication who would be directly... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Final struggle against the guinea worm Mar 17, 2007
Final struggle to eradicate guinea worm disease - Infectious Diseases - MSNBC.com ... Final struggle to eradicate guinea worm disease ... A 20-year fight to eradicate guinea worm disease, or dracunculiasis, is in the last and most difficult stages. (MSNBC -- Health)
Dr Sory launches "Nets for Life" programme Mar 2, 2007
He appealed to other corporate bodies and NGOs to support the region to fight the guinea worm disease so that the people would live better lives to boost the northern economy. Source:GNA. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Tamale Secondary School benefits from water facility Feb 23, 2007
The Regional Minister noted with concern the spread of guinea worm disease in the Metropolis and urged the District Assemblies and other stakeholders to collaborate in the fight to eliminate the disease from the region. Mr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, (MCE) commended Unilever Ghana for the assistance and appealed to other corporate bodies to emulate Unilever. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Brong Ahafo Faces Shortage Of Doctors Feb 22, 2007
He said the region continues to record cases of guinea worm diseases particularly in Atebubu/Amantin, Pru, Sene, Kintampo South, Kintampo North and Nkoranza districts adding that 204 cases were reported in 2006 as against 293 in 2005 ... The regional minister, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, said the region cannot be proud of its record of guinea worm disease and has therefore tasked the health sector to ensure that the disease is eradicated by the end of the year. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Unilever provides six northern communities with potable water Feb 22, 2007
Mr Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister, who commissioned the well, asked the people to refrain from drinking unsafe water and instead use water from the wells in order to avoid contracting guinea worm disease. He noted that in 2005, 333 cases of guinea worm were recorded in the region but this had reduced to 93 cases in 2006. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Guinea worm cases reduce in B/A Region Feb 21, 2007
"Postnatal care decreased from 57 per cent in 2005 to 53 per cent in 2006, adding that there were 119 maternal deaths as against 95 deaths in 2005. On HIV/AIDS, he said the prevalence rate decreased from 4.5 per cent in 2004 to 3.3 per cent in 2005 and was hopeful that it will further drop in 2006. He said a total of 213 people living with HIV/AIDS have received antiretroviral treatment at the regional hospital as at the end of last year, while a total of 4,600 pregnant women were counselled on... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Insecurity impedes Guinea worm eradication Feb 20, 2007
The release explained that the Government had committed itself to the eradication of the disease and had set it as a national priority declaring guinea worm disease a disaster in the Northern Region where it was most prevalent. It has also made substantial financial commitment to intensify all the interventions, which would include free treatment of guinea worm cases, increased emphasis on improving containment rates via containment centres and providing water for affected areas. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
US-Embassy supports rural community with grinding mill Feb 18, 2007
Sandu (NR), Feb. 17, GNA - Alhaji Abubakari Atori, Savelugu/Nanton District Chief Executive (DCE) has called on stakeholders to have more commitment in the fight against the guinea worm disease in the Northern Region particularly Savelugu where the disease is more precarious ... He commended the US-Embassy for the support it had given to communities in the district over the years and called on them to see how best they could help improve the water sector in the district as a means of fighting... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Health workers should give selfless service for higher pay Feb 14, 2007
He mentioned high maternal mortality rate, fatalities from malaria among children, new outbreaks of guinea worm disease, poor environmental situation and poor nutritional status of the rural communities as challenges which confronted the region in its health delivery process last year. Dr Arde-Acquah also complained about the "ageing status of the depleted workforce and the ever increasing workload on them," inadequate funds to maintain the deteriorated health facilities and the problem of... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Ethiopia: Jimmy Carter Promotes African Health Needs Feb 10, 2007
During his visit to Ghana, President Carter met with President John Agyekum Kufuor to discuss that country's continued efforts to eliminate Guinea worm disease. While in Sudan, President Carter and Jimmy Ross, Lions Club International president, meet with the newest local Lions Club to encourage the group to take up the fight against river blindness and trachoma. (allAfrica.com)
Carter reaffirms support for guinea worm eradication in Ghana Feb 9, 2007
Savelugu (NR), Feb. 9, GNA- Mr. Jimmy Carter, former United States President (USA), on Thursday, reaffirmed his support for the fight to eradicate guinea worm disease in the country ... He said "When the guinea worm disease is eradicated, we would all feel relieved." ... The visit was to enable Mr. Carter to ascertain progress being made in the region by the Carter Centre and other development partners, to eradicate guinea worm disease and to find out how best the bodies could improve on their... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Redouble efforts to win war against guinea worm - Alhaji Idris Feb 8, 2007
Tamale, Feb. 7, GNA - Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister on Monday called on stakeholders in the health sector to redouble their efforts in the war against the guinea worm disease in the region. He appealed to the people to help protect water sources to ensure that no new cases of the guinea worm disease are recorded ... He said measures were also in place to monitor food and water sellers in the bid to reduce the rate of infection of the guinea worm disease. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
PMs of Tamale commended for cooperating with Assembly Feb 7, 2007
The three MPs, Alhaji Abukari Sumani, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini and Haruna Iddrisu in their remarks bemoaned the insurgence of the guinea worm disease in the Northern Region. They promised to continue to use their share of the District Assemblies Common Fund and other resources due them to provide potable water for the people as a measure to eradicate the disease. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
