Students in Greater Accra Educated on Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis (AHC), also known as “Apollo” in Ghana

The Ayawaso Central Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) of the Greater Accra Region, led the Civic Education Club (CEC) members of Grace Dew International School and Providence School Limited all in Kotobabi on an educational visit to the Ayawaso Central Ambulance Service. The visit witnessed interactive sessions by the Food and Agriculture Department and the Municipal Health Directorate. The Municipal Director, Rhoda Akueteh who led the Club members stated that the visit was aimed at educating the students on the operations of the above-listed institutions within the society.

Addressing the students from the Food and Agriculture Department was a Senior Officer, Collins Sarfo Adu. He enlightened the students on their roles, such as assisting in the development and implementation of agricultural policies at the district level in accordance with national guidelines, providing extension services for farmers by teaching them good agricultural practices, facilitating and promoting livestock vaccination and immunization, and controlling animal illnesses. He also touched on some government flagship programmes such as the Planting for Food and Jobs, Rearing for Food and Jobs, Planting for Export, and Rural Development. He mentioned that the flagship programmes aim to provide food security and jobs to boost Ghana’s economy.

Mr. Adu implored the students to also consider pursuing agriculture as a course in Senior High School and admonished them to practice some home gardening to practically reap the benefits of the Agric. sector.

Furthermore, the Municipal Health Directorate of Ayawaso Central took the CEC Members through their operations. The Health Promotion Officer, Dorcas Ahadzie educated students on their mission and duties. She explained that their primary goal is to provide strategic guidance and administrative oversight in the areas of disease prevention, life extension, and overall quality of life.

An Ophthalmic Nurse, Okyerebea Apeadu also educated the CEC Members on Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis (AHC), also known as “Apollo” in Ghana. She touched on the causes and preventive measures. She stated that the disease is a highly contagious eye infection that spreads through contact with an infected individual and therefore asked the students to maintain good hygiene to prevent the disease. They were told to wash their hands frequently as it is mostly spread from touching infected surfaces and rubbing the unwashed hands on the eyes. Students were asked to desist from washing their eyes with salt water and, instead, visit the nearest health facility for proper medication and care.

Finally, the Greater Accra Regional Commander of the Ambulance Service, Principal Emergency Medical Technician (PAEMT), Daniel Asare took members through the operations of the service. He mentioned that the Ambulance Service provides urgent pre-hospital treatment and stabilisation for serious illnesses and injuries before transporting victims to the hospital for management. According to him, the Ambulance Service was established in the year 2004 as a result of the national disaster that occurred on 9th May 2001 during a football match between Accra of Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko which resulted in fatalities because injured victims did not receive treatment on time.

Students were taught practical steps in performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) which is an emergency procedure that can help save lives if one's breathing or heart stops beating in the event of tragedies.

It all ended with great applause and appreciation by the Club Patrons and Club members to the Municipal office of the NCCE for the organization of the programme and also to the representatives of the Agric. Department, Health Directorate and the Ambulance Service for the enlightenment on their operations.

In Conclusion, the Municipal Director, Rhoda Akueteh expressed her gratitude to the various institutions for giving the opportunity to the students to learn and acquaint themselves with their operations and imparting in-depth knowledge about their institutions to the young ones. She encouraged the club members to take their studies seriously and grow to become responsible citizens in their respective communities and the country as a whole. She also encouraged the students to call the 112 toll-free number of the Ambulance Service during emergencies and avoid prank calls to save lives.

The following staff of the Office were also present; Assistant Civic Education Officer, Benedicta Elom Ajanaku, Chief Field Officers Rosemond A.D. Quansah and Michael Andoh, and Senior Field Officer, Theophilus Ayerttey Ofori.