The Ministry of Health has clarified that reported strange deaths at Tema New town were as a result of lifestyles related diseases and not spiritual reasons as has been claimed by residents.

The Ministry however says it monitoring developments in the area.

At least, 17 people are said to have died and strange circumstances in Tema New Town in the past four days. The development caused fear and panic among the residents which led to them bathing in the sea based on the advice of the Chief Priest of the town to avoid death.

But, a statement by the Ministry of Health noted that after investigations it has been established that other factors caused the deaths and not spiritual reasons.

“The Ministry of Health / Ghana Health Service was notified on 7th November, 2018 of sudden increase in number of deaths in New Town community of Tema Metropolis, Greater Accra Region.

“Consequently, a team from National and Regional level joined their District counterparts to investigate into the issue. The team visited houses of the deceased, interviewed their relatives and community members and took part in a community meeting. The team also visited Tema General Hospital and Naval Base Clinic, interviewed health workers (clinicians and nurses) and reviewed medical records,” the statement said.

 

Below are details of the statement

INCREASED NUMBER OF DEATHS IN TEMA MUNICIPALITY
The Ministry of Health / Ghana Health Service was notified on 7th November, 2018 of sudden increase in number of deaths in New Town community of Tema Metropolis, Greater Accra Region.

Consequently, a team from National and Regional level joined their District counterparts to investigate into the issue.

The team visited houses of the deceased, interviewed their relatives and community members and took part in a community meeting. The team also visited Tema General Hospital and Naval Base Clinic, interviewed health workers (clinicians and nurses) and reviewed medical records.

The key findings of the investigation team include:

▪A total of sixteen (16) deaths have been recorded from two communities; Tema Harbour Electoral Area and Awudum Area within the Tema East Municipal, between the period of 29th October and 7th November, 2018.

▪The persons died from different medical conditions that are not linked and are not infectious.

The possible causes of deaths included the following: Knife Wounds, Severe Head Injury, Acute Alcoholic Intoxication, Cardiac Failure, Lymphatic Filariasis with Cellulitis and Ectopic Pregnancy.
Majority of these listed causes of death are actually lifestyle related.