Media Analysis on Health issues in the print media in the month of June- (1st June to 30th June 2010)
Introduction
For the period 1st June – 30th June 2010, 58 press cuttings were undertaken. This is in a bid to bring to light health and lifestyle issues that the media has touched on, and further to be able to assess pertinent health issues so as to bring forth possible solutions. The print media concerned are The Daily Graphic, Times and Mirror.
Media Analysis
With 58 press cuttings, below are the breakdown and corresponding percentages for the month:
Gyaenacology and obstetrics -10(17.24%), Mental health- 8(13.79%), Tobacco- 5(8.62%), Malaria- 4(6.89%), Cancers- 3(5.17%), Sickle Cell- 2(3.45%), Circumcision- 1(1.72%), Lifestyle- 2(3.45%), Chronic pain-1(1.72%), ENT- 1(1.72%), Accidents- 1(1.72%), TB-1(1.72%), Diabetes-1(1.72%), Measles-1(1.72%), H1N1- 2(3.45%), HIV- 2(3.45%), Food poisoning-1(1.72%), Nutrition- 2(3.45%), Contraceptives- 1(1.72%), Aphrodisiacs- 1(1.72%), NHIS- 1(1.72%), Cardio diseases- 1(1.72%), Medical Technology-1(1.72%), Buruli Ulcer- 1(1.72%), Upsurge of diseases in Mfantiman worry MCE- 1(1.72%), Miscellaneous- 3(5.17%).
Please refer to the table on page 3 for a tabular view of the above statistics.
Observations
From the above statistics, it was observed that health issues that were mostly highlighted are as follows;
Gynaecology and Obstetrics – 10 (17.24%)
Mental Health - 8(13.79%)
Tobacco - 5(8.62%)
Malaria - 4(6.89%)

New Developments
Monitoring the print media through out the period (1st June-30th June) the following new developments were realized;
• A new program called the mPedigree has been developed where one can know if a drug is genuine by texting the unique ID code of the drug.
• The first H1N1 death was recorded in this month with the victim being an 11 month old baby.
• It has been reported that foreign doctors are close to pinpointing the age when a woman will reach menopause by measuring levels of a hormone called AMN.
• In other countries, women at the age of 30 have been reported to be freezing their eggs whiles searching for Mr. Right.
• Fistula patients in the Upper West Region are to be registered freely with the NHIS under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty program (LEAP).
• A trial vagina ring has proven effective in Africa. The vagina ring contains Anti Retroviral(ARV) Drugs which protect women from HIV infection.
• In South Africa, HIV rate is reported to have reduced by 33% because AntiRetroviral drugs have been made widely available.
• Korle-bu Teaching Hospital has inaugurated for projects aimed at improving health care. Included in this was the refurbishment of the medical block with a DNA Laboratory which will facilitate DNA analysis to determine paternity and forensic investigation in criminal cases.
• It has been reported that Breast cancer vaccines have been developed by American
Scientists.
Summary
1. Within the month it can be stated that alcoholism (which was fitted into mental health) was relatively low as compared to past reports that were made.
2. Again, with the development of breast cancer vaccines for and the vagina ring which has proven to be effective shows how much priority is currently being placed on the female and maternal health which is important in every developing country. This is in relation to the obvious high statistic of number of times Gynaecology and Obstetrics was featured in the print media.
3. Also with the provision of a new DNA Laboratory at Korle-Bu it would now be easier and relatively affordable for Ghanaians to have DNA test without blood samples being sent to South Africa before results can be acquired.

Recommendations
It would be helpful on the part of the Health Ministry to make health communication more intensive and much simpler so as to reach every individual in the country. Health messages could be communicated to opinion leaders who can then with the aid of health professionals send down to the people at the grass root. That way the people can relate better with the information being handed down to them.
Finally, though the provision of the DNA Laboratory is a big improvement it would be much better when at least each region, if not all district is provided with one.

Item Health Issues Number Percentage
1 Gynaecology and obstetrics 10 17.24
2 Mental Health 8 13.79
3 Tobacco 5 8.62
4 Malaria 4 6.89
5 Cancers 3 5.17
6 Sickle Cell 2 3.45
7 Circumcision 1 1.72
8 Lifestyle 2 3.45
9 Chronic pain 1 1.72
10 ENT 1 1.72
11 Accidents 1 1.72
12 TB 1 1.72
13 Diabetes 1 1.72
14 Measles 1 1.72
15 H1N1 2 3.45
16 HIV 2 3.45
17 Food poisoning 1 1.72
18 Nutrition 2 3.45
19 Contraceptive 1 1.72
20 Aphrodisiac 1 1.72
21 NHIS 1 1.72
22 Cardio diseases 1 1.72
23 Medical Technology 1 1.72
24 Buruli Ulcer 1 1.72
25 Upsurge of diseases in 1 1.72
Mfantsiman worry MCE 1 1.72
26 Miscellaneous 3 5.17

NEVER THE SAME

Justifying yourself would never make you right
Better accept your faults and change your heart;
than give excuses
For surely you don’t want to compare yourself to someone else
Cos my guy, you aren’t them and they aren’t you
Listening to them was the biggest mistake ever
Worst of all accepting their actions to be right
Is it not written: Though you are in the world, you are not of the world?
That You are the salt of the earth and that of what use is a tasteless salt
but to throw it away.
Did you forget His suffering on the cross of Calvary?
The gruesome ordeal he had to face just for you and me?
He was made sin, he who knew no sin
He suffered the penalty for the lies, the fornication,
adultery, drunkenness, hatred, envy…
Yes! I could go on and on
But what is the use when he has purged us of all our sins and
Created a clean heart in us
Do we go back to eat these fruits of the flesh
And remind Him of His pain and shame?
Or do we look up and say just like he did;
“It is finish!”
I don’t know about you but I’m glad to say;
There’s no way am going back to the world
I’m a new creature; Behold old things are past and gone
And now I am a new creature born of the lamb
and bought with the precious blood
what more can I say but
THANK YOU JESUS FOR SAVING ME.



naa karley clegg

GOOD PERSONALITY; A REQUIREMENT IN PR PRACTICE.

A requirement in the practice of good public relations is the ability to get along with people. No matter your industry, your PR profession hinges on your effectiveness and dealings with others, media, customers, business associates, staff and even total strangers.

 Success or failure at the work place, in our relationships and family depends on our relationship with the people involved.

In every aspect of life there is increase emphasis on personal relations. In what ever we do, where ever we go, we definitely come into contact with people. With good character and good personality there is sure to be success. Acquiring a good personality is never bought neither is it secured in lessons at a fee. A good personality is achieved by training and practice.
In considering the lives and character of people who have been successful in getting along with people, we find they have certain traits amongst which include; TOLERANCE, SINCERITY, IMAGINATION, CONFIDENCE, ANALYTIC, HUMOUR AND TACT.
• Tolerance: An important factor in achievement of a good personality is being tolerant of the attitudes belief and opinions. Not condemning others because they are different and indifferent to us. Be prepared to listen to the opinion of others. Respecting the views of opponents, sympathy or indulgence for beliefs and or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s should be cultivated.
• Sincerity: Being honest and meaning what you say. To be free from pretence. It is easy to be sincere if we are interested in people. People are always interesting from one stand point. There must always be sincerity behind the smile and words we dish out to people.
• Imagination: This works hand in hand with creativity. It is the power to form menial image of something not present or perceived in reality. Imagination is one of the keys to successful PR practise.
• Confidence: That way you wouldn’t shy from conversation with new people. PR is a profession in which daily contact with people is inevitable.
• Analytic: to the point of obsession. One must be able to spot potential problems and and be able to tackle them before they escalate.
• Humour: To get along with people one must have a big lump of humour. We must be able to see the funny side of things and be able to laugh at ourselves. If we make our opponent laugh then we win a point.
• Tact: One important trait amongst these basic traits needed for effective personality is Tact. It is the ability to be polite and careful about what you say or do so that you do not embarrass or offend people. One can be very talented but without tact there would be problems. A tactful person brings out the best in every one he comes into contact with and easily wins their favour. A tactful person has courtesy and poise, a keen sense of what to say and do in other to avoid offenses and gain good will.

Naa Karley Clegg

MY LOVE AND FRIEND

Like the stars you illuminate my night
Like the sun you brighten up my day
You inspire my world and bring out the best in me
You lift my spirit when I’m down causing all pain to cease
The mere though of you brings a smile upon my face
I sometimes wonder why you sacrifice so much for me
You made all the hurts and disappointment I give you seem so innocuous
I believe you have a predilection when it comes to me
Because you know me and you know all my faults
But hey, you still love
And it’s so wonderful to know
That is why, every time I think about you;
Every time I hear about you and
Every time I feel your presence I start to smile
All I know is before I met you, life was lonely and full of angst
But now you make me feel so good inside and at peace
I just wanna tell the whole world;
YOU’RE MY LOVE AND FRIEND
So now let me take my time to say;
I LOVE YOU
Let me gently and sweetly say;
I CARE
Once more I LOVE YOU
YES! I may drift away sometimes but when I remember your love
I can only say I’M SORRY, and ask for forgiveness
And I know your arms are widely open
There is no one like YOU
THANK YOU ABBA FATHER



Naa Karley Clegg
Ghana Institute of Journalism
level 200

CHOICES

CHOICES

The choices we make today will determine our tomorrow;
Whether gay or blue
Be careful of the choices you make
A decision made in haste might be the deadliest decision ever
Never make a decision based on emotions
Cos emotions are deceptive
And can deceive you when you least expect
Emotions can make you see the world from a wrong perspective
Before you make a choice,
Take a deep breath and ask yourself:
DO I NEED THIS OR NOT?
Provide at least 10 reasons why you should take such a decision
Think of other alternatives

When angry, just take in a deep breath and
Count to 10 before uttering a word
Think twice before you make that choice
Else you would end up having;
Lose of sleep for breakfast,
Thoughts for lunch and
Lose of appetite for supper
YES! That choice could make you regret for the rest of your life
Or even wish for death when you still have a long way to go

There is more to life than what we feel, see and know
Make the right choice NOW
So you don’t say the usual “HAD I KNOWN”
Make the right choice so that you would say with a sigh of relief
“I HAVE LIVED A FUFILLED LIFE
AND BY GOD’S GRACE I HAVE COME THIS FAR”


Abigail Naa Karley Clegg
Ghana Institute of Journalism
level 200