She said although other risk factors could be cited, alcohol consumption and smoking by women pose a great threat to Ghana’s fight against breast and cervical cancers, that have become leading causes of death among women, urging women to do regular examinations for early detection and cure.

She was speaking on Tuesday at Ekumfi Imuna in the Central Region, at a community health outreach programme by the Community Empowerment Network (COMENet) Ghana, an association made up of students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The programme dubbed ‘Promoting Healthy Communities for Sustainable Development’ offered the fishing community talks on breast and cervical cancers and family planning, as well as free breast and cervical cancer screening, HIV/AIDS counseling and testing among others.

It brought together health experts, nurses, women and men as well as school girls from basic schools at Imuna.

Partnering with the Department of Gender, Ghana AIDS Commission, Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), Ghana Health Service and the Ekumfi District Assembly, the group is seeking to reduce the high number of deaths among reproductive women, and the soaring teenage pregnancy at Ekumfi Imuna.

The Ekumfi District, carved out of the Mfantsiman Municipality during the era of late President Atta Mills, is plagued with poverty, a high unemployment rate, teenage pregnancy, poor health system among other unfavourable conditions.

Speaking to journalists, a member of COMNet and Central Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Thywill Eyrah Kpe, explained that, “We realized that Ekumfi is quite disadvantaged when it comes to access to health care, so we looked at the reproductive health of the community; also, we realized poverty and teenage pregnancy are high in the community, and that informed our being here.”

Figures from the 2010 Population and Housing Census on the District, show that, about four in ten of the population of Ekumfi, aged twelve and others, are married, while its General Fertility Rate of 111.3 births per 1000 women, is the ninth highest for the Central Region, and COMNet has pledged to liaise with other stakeholders to tackle these social issues in the district.

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By: Joseph Ackon-Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Alcohol, smoking increasing risk of breast, cervical cancers – Health Director appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Fabian Johnson and Clint Dempsey, back in the team after a sore groin made him a late scratch vs. Azerbaijan, scored on either side of halftime as the Americans held Turkey to a late goal from the penalty spot at Red Bull Arena on Sunday afternoon in front of 26,762 fans.

CLICK HERE FOR #citisports ANALYSIS OF THE GAME

Jurgen Klinsmann made three changes to the starting lineup from Tuesday’s 2-0 victory vs. Azerbaijan. Dempsey returned to partner Jozy Altidore up top and Brad Davis and Timmy Chandler, making his first US start since a Feb. 2013 World Cup qualifying loss in Honduras, replaced DaMarcus Beasley and Alejandro Bedoya on the left flank.

For the third match running, the US boss opted for a 4-4-2 formation and diamond midfield featuring Michael Bradley in the No. 10 role. The backline, meanwhile, played their first match together as a unit, keeping a clean sheet until a minute from time.

Watch the video highlights

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By Gary Al-Smith/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @garyalsmith

The post Video: USA beat Turkey 2-1 in World Cup warm up appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Ghana’s World Cup opponents beat Turkey 2-1 in an international friendly played in New Jersey on Sunday evening.

The United States are currently on a string of games they are calling the Send-Off Series before going to Brazil. After beating Azerbaijan 2-0 last week, the Americans got goals from Fabian Johnson and Clint Dempsey.

Citi Sports editor Gary Al-Smith watched the game and picked some pointers

1. Forget the pessimism, Dempsey is okay

There had been hopeful murmuring in some media sections that the Americans’ talisman would have groin problems when Ghana face them on June 16.

Forget it. He’s fine.

Not just because he scored, but also because Dempsey’s work rate was impressive. If he felt any tightness in the groin, then by some miracle is did not show in his very physical play. Clint was in the mood for contact challenges and taking on defenders one-on-one.

But he seemed almost alone in doing that because Altidore was more concerned about ending his drought.

2. The Altidore conundrum

Yes, he has not scored for club or country since December 4th. Yes, getting into the World Cup means he has to step up.

But no, Jozy Altidore is not useless.

In their last game against Azerbaijan, the U.S. saw the Altidore who scored just one Premier League goal for Sunderland. It was that bad.

Against Turkey, he looked promising – making brainy runs, putting himself in good positions. But his finishing does need work.

To put Jozy’s nightmare in context, it is more likely that Fabian Johnson (a defender) will shoot past Adam Kwarasey in Ghana’s goal than the burly striker. Jozy had at least three one-on-one chances and fired straight at the keeper.

It’s a confidence issue and Ghana will hope he does not regain it until after the meeting in Natal.

Klinsmann said after the game: “This is the Jozy we want to see.”

Turkey coach Fatih Terim also singled out Altidore, as well as Bradley and Johnson, as having standout games. “Jozy’s a very powerful striker. The type of striker the center backs don’t like very much,” Terim said, lauding Altidore’s skills at holding the ball to incorporate teammates into the attack. “He’s a very important player.”

3. Johnson at right back works

“Fabian Johnson is a German-American footballer who plays as a left back for Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim and United States national team.” – Wikipedia.

But on the evidence of this game, Ghana can think of Johnson as the American version of their own World Cup-bound Harrison Afful, who is as comfortable at right back as he is on the left.

Fabian scored a stunning goal after 26 minutes with a nearly unsavable inside-out shot on his left foot. However, it was his willingness to join the attack from the right back position and ability to meaningfully contribute on the wings as well as the middle third of the pitch helped him outshine his fellow starting full back.

4. Ghana can exploit Chandler at left back

If anyone needs a lesson in why a right-footed left back can be catastrophic, look no further than Timothy Chandler. Turkey quickly noticed his discomfort early on and pounded that side of the Americans’ defence. However, all indications show this may just be an experiment – in which case DaMarcus Beasley will definitely be used.

But if the USA do use him, Albert Adomah can be given the brief to handle that weakness. Or maybe Kwadwo Asamoah or Christian Atsu.

5. Bradley is the USA’s secret weapon

The son of the Americans’ former coach has grown into a lovely player. So lovely, that the USA seems to shut down when his engines are idle.

It may sound like an exaggeration, but if Ghana can nullify the former Italy-based midfielder (now plays in North America), that’s 80% of the job done.

Kwesi Appiah should watch how Azerbaijan muted Michael Bradley’s influence. The Asians simply swamped him.

Any time the 26-year old got the ball, two players blocked his vision. Bradley is good, but not in the league of, say, Xavi or Iniesta. With that in mind, get a player who will harass him but will not have physical contact (I’m thinking Rabiu Mohammed) and a quicker player to outrun him should he get past a marker (say, Agyemang-Badu).

Turkey, on Sunday, did not do this. They were willing to match him boot for boot, and he tore them apart.

Bradley’s gift is in his simplicity – a quick pass here, tidy a loose ball in the middle third of the field, timely passes to waiting players and the occasional brilliant flick.

6. Green is one to watch

A lot of US commentators say Julian Green, 18, is the reason why the most successful player in the country’s football history was axed from the World Cup squad.

True or false, Ghana may have to deal with this teen phenom. His attributes were immediately clear despite having limited time against Turkey – his wide movement brought width to the Americans’ play.

And importantly, his youth was complemented by a willingness to track back. Klinsmann could consider him a strong second-half sub to wear down a tiring Ghanaian defence, especially if Jozy Altidore and Dempsey have a good day.

Green isn’t as good as Landon Donovan, but he can be trouble.

Summary

All wasn’t well for the USA against Turkey and, like Ghana, they have a lot to do especially in defence before the two countries meet.

The win ensures the Jurgen Klinsmann’s team continued with their winning ways in their preparations towards the 2014 World Cup, and they will play Nigeria in their final warm up match on June 7.

United States XI: Howard (Guzan 45′), Johnson (Yedlin 63′), Cameron, Besler (Brooks 45′), Chandler, Zusi (Diskerud 69′), Jones (Beckerman 45′), Bradley, Davis (Green 63′), Altidore, Dempsey.

Goals: Johnson 26′, Dempsey 52′.

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By: Gary Al-Smith/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @garyalsmith

The post USA 2-1 Turkey: 6 things Ghana should learn from Klinsmann’s tactics appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.