The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is urging the public to brace for the harmattan season as the country begins to experience drier conditions.

In a notice signed by the Acting Director-General, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Service explained that despite recent rains in some areas, the harsh, dry and dusty harmattan weather is fast approaching and poses serious health risks.

The GHS noted that the season affects almost every part of the body and often leads to a rise in preventable illnesses. Common conditions include dry and irritated skin, dehydration due to low moisture in the air, breathing difficulties triggered by heavy dust, and eye irritation caused by reduced humidity.

The Service also highlighted a heightened risk of meningitis, reminding the public that Ghana sits within Africa’s meningitis belt.

To stay safe, the GHS advised the public to adopt basic protective habits. These include using oil-based moisturisers like shea butter to keep the skin hydrated, drinking plenty of water, and eating water-rich foods such as fruits and light soups.

People are encouraged to wear face masks to reduce dust inhalation, especially those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. The GHS also recommended limiting outdoor activities on very dusty days, using sunglasses to protect the eyes, and practising regular handwashing while avoiding unnecessary face touching.

Anyone who begins to feel unwell is advised to report to a health facility promptly.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to public safety and urged Ghanaians to follow these guidelines to reduce harmattan-related health problems.

A growing number of young men are facing fertility challenges, and a Ghanaian medical expert says everyday habits may be part of the problem.

Speaking on TV3’s New Day, Dr Roland Padi Ayertey, Medical Director at Elimmas Health, explained that keeping phones and laptops too close to the body could affect sperm quality due to radiation from these devices. He noted that this adds to several lifestyle and environmental factors already linked to declining male fertility.

According to him, low sperm count has many causes. He pointed to environmental toxins, smoke inhalation, chemical fumes, micro particles in the air, poor nutrition, tight underwear, and prolonged exposure to electronic devices. All these, he said, can interfere with what he called the male “engine of production.”

Dr Ayertey said the rising cases are alarming. In the past, he explained, doctors only saw a few men with very low or no sperm, but now a significant number of younger men are reporting poor sperm quality or complete absence of sperm. Although treatments are available, he stressed that progress takes time because sperm formation requires about 75 days. This delay often frustrates men, and many stop taking their medication after only a month.

He added that men sometimes struggle psychologically during treatment because improvements take longer to show, while women may see quicker results from their fertility treatments.

Globally, sperm counts continue to drop, driven by habits such as alcohol consumption, smoking, long hours of sitting or driving, placing laptops directly on the lap, and exposure to pollution. Poor diets further worsen the situation.

Dr Ayertey encouraged men to take simple steps that can help protect their fertility. These include regular medical check ups, reducing device exposure, eating balanced meals, cutting down on alcohol and tobacco use, and choosing looser underwear.

He stated that male fertility is shaped by daily choices, not just sperm numbers. Experts also emphasise that early awareness is important because fertility issues usually go unnoticed until couples begin trying to conceive. Routine checks and healthier lifestyle decisions, they say, can play a key role in prevention.

Parts of the Kwapong Nursing Training College in the Asunafo South District of the Ahafo Region were engulfed in flames early Friday morning, sending students running for safety as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.

According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the distress call came in at about 7:12 a.m., and the Kukuom fire crew arrived on the scene within minutes. They were later joined by a reinforcement team from the Goaso Municipal Fire Station. Thanks to their combined efforts, the fire was brought under control by 8:45 a.m. and completely extinguished at 10:26 a.m.

The fire, which started in one of the rooms on the first floor of a one-storey dormitory block, quickly spread to six other rooms, destroying the roof, ceiling, students’ personal items, books, beds, and bedding. Two fire extinguishers on the affected floor also exploded during the incident.

Though the cause of the fire is still unknown, GNFS officials say investigations are underway to determine what triggered it. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported.

The incident has left many students shaken, with school authorities working closely with local security and fire officials to ensure safety and assess the extent of the damage.