by admin | Apr 14, 2025 | dental care, dentistry, diet and nutrition, health, teeth
By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
On April 11, GNA reported from Tema that Dr. Kakra Bonsu Appiah, who leads the Dental and Oral Surgery Department at Tema General Hospital, stated that tooth decay is now the prevalent oral issue among Tema’s inhabitants.
Dr. Appiah mentioned that they’ve seen an increase in patients experiencing cavities, toothaches, and various issues related to inadequate dental care.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, he stated that tooth decay occurs when the tooth’s structure breaks down because of acids generated by mouth bacteria. These microorganisms flourish on sugar-rich foods and inadequate brushing routines, highlighting the importance of maintaining proper dental care to avoid this condition.
“The primary reason for tooth decay is inadequate oral care. Upon examining the development of dental caries, one can see that bad oral habits are the main factor behind them; this involves allowing food particles to remain between the teeth,” he explained.
Dr. Appiah pointed out that numerous cases seen at the hospital might have been prevented with consistent brushing, a healthy diet, and routine dental exams. She highlighted that keeping up your oral hygiene isn’t solely about achieving sparkling teeth; it’s fundamentally important for your general health as well.
He recommended that residents should scrub their teeth at minimum two times each day using fluoride-based toothpaste, use dental floss frequently to clear out bits of food stuck between teeth, cut down on sweet treats and beverages, along with scheduling visits to the dentist biannually.
The dentist likewise voiced worry that individuals only went to the hospital once the discomfort had become intolerable, encouraging Ghanaians to make regular dental visits to avoid crises.
Dr. Appiah additionally urged parents to teach their children proper dental care habits at a young age and to cut down on consuming sweets.
GNA
LS/KOA
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by admin | Apr 14, 2025 | addictions, drug legalization, drugs, public health and safety, youth
By Albert Allotey
Accra, April 12, GNA – As stated by Mrs Olivia Agyekumwaa Boateng, who leads the Tobacco and Substance Abuse Division at the Food and Drugs Authority, they urge youth-focused organizations to collaborate with their agency to combat substance misuse within the nation.
She stated that forming partnerships would significantly help tackle the problem of drug abuse, specifically mentioning Tramadol and Tapentadol, along with newer substances like “RED,” which have been gaining attention among young people.
Mrs. Boateng initiated the call during the unveiling of the “Ghana Against Drugs – ‘Red Means Stop'” initiative by the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.
This campaign serves as a nationwide effort aimed at young people to tackle the increasing problem of drug misuse within their demographic.
Mrs Boateng stated that the usage of Tapentadol, similar to other opioids, poses concerning health hazards.
Mixing Tapentadol with depressants such as alcohol and other opioids can cause severe respiratory depression, which may lead to comas or even death.
As she pointed out, “The abuse of opioids leads to both physical and psychological dependency, worsening the tough socioeconomic circumstances confronting numerous young Ghanaians.”
Mrs. Boateng stated, “Given our role as the regulatory authority tasked with protecting public health and guaranteeing the safety and effectiveness of medications in Ghana, the FDA is dedicated to tackling this problem via rigorous regulatory actions and working together with various parties involved, which has already commenced.”
She mentioned that the Authority, working alongside state organizations like the Ghana Revenue Authority, Narcotics Control Board, Ghana Police Service, and Pharmacy Council, among others, has been carrying out stringent monitoring, confiscating illegal substances, and penalizing those involved.
Mrs. Boateng observed that the worldwide opioid epidemic has spread to West Africa, with growing instances of misuse involving drugs such as fentanyl, pethidine, Tapentadol, and tramadol.
“In recent times, research has underscored a ‘tramadol crisis’ within the region, marked by an unsettling prevalence of the medication’s usage amongst young individuals, frequently associated with physical distress, mental health issues, and financial struggles,” she stated.
She mentioned that in Ghana, the FDA has noticed an increase in the unlawful importation, selling, and dissemination of unregistered opioids such as Tapentadol. She pointed out that these drugs frequently enter the nation via smuggling routes and are traded through unofficial outlets, thereby presenting considerable threats to public health.
“It needs to be clearly emphasized that the majority of these drugs are merely transiting through the country,” she stated.
Mrs Boateng mentioned that the FDA engages in numerous initiatives focused on encouraging the proper usage of controlled substances and preventing opioid misuse. She emphasized their unwavering dedication to safeguarding public health and guaranteeing the security of all regulated items within Ghana.
GNA
LAA
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by admin | Apr 13, 2025 | disaster management, disasters, water crises, water management, water supply
The coastal regions of District Sujawal and Thatta have faced severe water shortages over the last several months, with little indication of improvement on the horizon. “Water is essential for life, yet we’ve been denied this basic human right,” remarks Sattar Machi, a local from Union Council Karmalak within Taluka Jati, underscoring the crisis impacting these shores.
As per data shared by officials from the district irrigation department in Sujawal, the primary water sources feeding the coast—including Jati, Ladiyo, Chuhar Jamali, and Shahbunder—are experiencing severe shortages because of depleted water levels further down at Kotri. Given that Sindh faces a total shortfall of 47%, these coastal regions of the province may soon be grappling with drought conditions.
Allah Bux Temro, a local farmer, stated that standing crops like cotton and tomatoes were wilting. The circumstances in these regions have become critical, with both men and women having to cover extensive distances to collect water for drinking and everyday needs.
A local inhabitant named Ali Akbar Thaheem revealed that the groundwater along the coast had become saline, forcing residents to use water likely to cause various health problems.
In these regions, women obtain water from nearby vendors who transport it using donkeys and mules to the town centers within the district. Rasool Bux Bario, one such vendor, mentioned that he charges 150 rupees for a can of water; however, individuals in distant locations often struggle to make payments promptly because of their financial hardships and limited job prospects.
The ongoing scarcity of water has not only deteriorated the quality of life for locals but also endangered the ecological characteristics of the area. Once teeming with life, the riverbed of the Indus is now buried under layers of sand. Consequently, the Indus delta faces severe degradation due to insufficient water flow below the Kotri Barrage.
According to water specialist Naseer Memon, extracting additional water from the Indus River could exacerbate the challenges faced by the coastal area of Sindh. He also stated that the current water shortage has reached levels unseen over the past 25 years in the downstream regions of Sindh, specifically affecting Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Tando Muhammad Khan.
Supporting his argument, agricultural scientist and ex-Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Department in Sindh, Obhayo Khan Khushik, called upon the national administration to assess conditions in the downstream regions of Sindh prior to building new channels along the Indus River. He cautioned that insufficient water supply could exacerbate seawater intrusion into these lands, potentially leading to the demise of the Indus Delta.
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by admin | Apr 13, 2025 | courts, government, indian national news, politics, politics and law
New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Friday granted relief to Baramulla MP
Engineer Rashid
By cutting down the amount to 50 percent of what was initially requested.
Tihar
Prison officials for his journey to
Parliament
in order to join the current session.
He received approval to join the event.
Parliament
session in custody.
He mentioned that
Tihar
The jail administration is imposing charges of Rs 1.45 lakh for a single day’s travel expenses. Permission was granted on March 25.
A division bench of Justices Chandra Dhari Singh and Anup Jairam Bhambhani reduced the amount and asked
Engineer Rashid
To deposit the half sum of Rs 8.74 lakh within three days so he can make his trip possible.
Parliament
for session in custody.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the application for an additional hearing on May 19.
MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh aka
Engineer Rashid
had moved to Delhi High Court for modification of order granting him permission to attend
Parliament
He was in custody during his session and wanted to waive the requirement for covering travel costs.
Tihar
Jail to
Parliament
and back to Jail.
It was suggested that the fees currently requested by the jail authorities are unreasonably high, and the applicant lacks the financial means to cover these costs.
Abdul Rashid Sheikh submitted an application via attorney Vikhyat Oberoi, requesting that the High Court modify its Final Order from March 25, 2025, and waive or remove certain conditions.
It has been suggested that following the upload of the order on March 26, 2025, during the afternoon, the counsel for
Engineer Rashid
Received an email from the worried jail officials on March 26, 2025, at 8:21 PM, stating that the appellant needs to pay around INR 1,45,736 per day for travel and associated expenses, amounting to a total of INR 8,74,416 for six days.
It is further contended that the applicant is in judicial custody and cannot manage to secure such a significant sum.
It is additionally contended that even during previous instances where the applicant was permitted to swear an oath,
Parliament
Regarding the order from July 2, 2024; and also when permission was granted for the applicant to attend
Parliament
In accordance with the ruling dated February 10, 2025, from an earlier hearing, he was not obligated to cover the expenses related to his travel or any associated arrangements.
The plea indicates that in previous cases, the responsibility for covering costs associated with travel and other arrangements was not placed upon the applicant.
Moreover, in this particular instance, the issue of cost has also not been brought up by either the prison authorities or the prosecution team, it noted.
It is posited that the applicant has been detained since August 9, 2019, and lacks the resources to pay such substantial and unreasonable sums.
It is further claimed that the applicant’s family has, despite significant challenges, gathered funds via crowdfunding and covered their expenses for one day, specifically March 27, 2025.
On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court permitted the Baramulla Member of Parliament to participate in the session from March 26 to April 4, 2024.
He will be transferred into custody.
Tihar
Jail to
Parliament
A house on each of these dates
Lok Sabha
is underway from March 26, 2025 to April 04, 2025, within the specified times.
Lok Sabha
“will remain in session on those specific days. Afterward, he will be returned to the prison,” stated the High Court.
The High Court stated that the appellant must cover the costs associated with the aforementioned travel and additional arrangements.
Engineer Rashid
had submitted a request to be allowed to participate in the event
Parliament
His previous plea was rejected by the trial court on March 10.
Nevertheless, he was permitted to join for the initial session lasting two days in February. (ANI)
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by admin | Apr 13, 2025 | economics, luxury goods and services, money, tourists, Travel
•The luxury travel sector expected to hit $391 billion by 2028
The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) will showcase the booming luxury travel industry when it takes place at the Dubai World Trade Center from April 28 to May 1, extending until May 28.
The gathering of leading hospitality companies, key players from the sector, and cutting-edge tourist locations will highlight the developments and perspectives influencing premium travel markets.
McKinsey & Company reports that the market for luxury travel and hospitality is projected to expand more rapidly than any other sector. This growth can be attributed mainly to an increase in high-net-worth individuals worldwide along with a burgeoning group of potential luxury travelers ready to spend greater portions of their earnings on upscale experiences.
According to the study, the luxury tourism and hospitality sector is expected to grow to $391 billion by 2028, an increase from $239 billion in 2023, as Asia makes substantial strides within this market niche.
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Backing this tendency, statistics provided by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf showed that GCC countries received $110.4 billion from international tourist receipts in 2023.
The biggest group of visitors originated from the Asia-Pacific area (38%), succeeded by the Middle East (25.1%), Europe (22.9%), Africa (8.8%), and the Americas (4.3%).
Danielle Curtis, the Exhibition Director for the Middle East at Arabian Travel Market, stated: “The rise in tourists coming into the region from Asia along with increasing prosperity within this area present a significant chance for luxury tourism in the Middle East.”
At ATM, Asia stands out as one of our quickest-expanding markets for exhibitors, showing a notable 27 percent rise in participants from the area this year.
Tourism bodies from countries including Japan, Maldives, South Korea, India, and Thailand, along with local tourism agencies such as those representing Rajasthan, Goa, Phuket, Hong Kong, and Jakarta, are fueling this expansion. These entities are collectively boosting Asia’s profile at ATM 2025 and emphasizing the rising trend towards luxury travel.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area is perfectly situated to attract wealthy travelers looking for top-tier accommodations and premium activities. In response to increasing demand, GCC nations are set to introduce an additional 400,000 hotel rooms by 2030, building upon the 35,000 new rooms added over the past ten years.
In 2025, ATM will showcase several premier upscale travel locations, like the Maldives and Mauritius, along with Peru, returning to the event after a decade away. Travelers can explore Peru’s premium experiences, from desert camping in Ica and traversing the Sacred Valley to luxurious voyages down the Amazon River and railway trips through the stunning Andean scenery, combining awe-inspiring views with exceptional hospitality.
A number of renowned hospitality brands will also be featured, such as Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Jumeirah International, One & Only, Kempinski Hotels, The Address Hotels & Resorts, and The Leading Hotels of the World.
High-end travel is evolving as consumers now lean towards luxurious cultural, artistic, and adventurous encounters. In response to these changing tastes, global hospitality companies are adjusting their offerings. Moreover, sustainability has emerged as a critical element, especially within the GCC region, where lodging establishments are adopting environmentally friendly practices to cater to the rising trend of conscientious premium tourism.
Enhanced accessibility is transforming luxury travel as well, with up-and-coming locations gaining advantages through better connections and the growth of distinctive boutiques, eco-friendly resorts, and premium hideaways. This shift aligns with the theme set for ATM 2025: “Global Travel: Building Future Tourism via Superior Connectivity,” highlighting how advanced connectivity fosters a more environmentally friendly, equitable, and interconnected tourism sector.
The ATM 2025 Conference Program aims to gather leading figures in the hospitality sector along with specialists in upscale tourism, offering perspectives on recent developments within the field. The sessions encompass topics such as generational shifts impacting hyper-personalization in luxury experiences, spearheaded by entities like the Department of Culture and Tourism–Abu Dhabi, alongside partners such as Fairmont and Minor Hotels. Another session highlights strategies for retaining high-net-worth travelers through innovative experience redesigns, presented by representatives from Kempinski, Banyan Tree Holdings, GSIQ, and Matter of Form.
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