These are some instant reflections of life in Ghana today

Thursday, November 23rd 2023

Two things have struck me this week. First this from the World Health Organisation – 

“The World Health Organization has authorized a second malaria vaccine in a decision that could offer countries a cheaper and more effective option than the world’s first shot against the parasitic disease.

Oxford University developed the new three-dose vaccine with help from the Serum Institute of India. Research suggests it is more than 75% effective and that protection is maintained for at least another year with a booster. Tedros said the shot would cost about $2 to $4 and could be available in some countries next year.  Earlier this year, regulatory authorities in Ghana and Burkina Faso approved the vaccine.”

500,000 people a year die from Malaria and millions, including me are ill from it.  In 10 years the fatality figure will dwarf the losses in the Pandemic, yet gets little publicity. Let’s hope and pray that this time we can make a real inroad into this horrible killer illness. 

Second, this tragedy  – 

Former Ghanaian international football player Raphael Dwamena has died after collapsing during an Albanian Superiore game on Saturday (11 November). Dwamena, 28, fell to the ground midway through the first half of his club KF Egnatia’s match against Partizani with players from both teams rushing to his aid.

He was stretchered from the field and received first aid before being transferred to the hospital. In a statement, the Albanian Football Federation said, “Despite the immediate intervention of specialist doctors and all efforts to bring him back to life, the footballer unfortunately passed away.”

Very sad, but we are used to sudden death in Ghana. Cerebral malaria can kill in 24 hours. Road accidents – all to common – kill large numbers of people. One truck ploughed into a queue of people waiting for a bus recently with tragic and fatal consequences. Mothers die in childbirth. Babies die unexpectedly. We in Ghana are no less grief stricken, but perhaps are a little more realistic about life and death. 

Food for thought!
Jim

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