The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary aspirant for Tain constituency in the Bono Region, Ababio Alexander has pleaded with the delegates in the area to listen to the cries of the constituents and choose development-oriented candidate.
According to him, he has already done alot for the constituency and the constituents are waiting patiently for him to be endorsed by NPP delegates to represent the party in the next year’s general elections as Parliamentary candidate.
Mr.Ababio Alexander who is also Mmrantehene ( Youth chief ) of Debibi in the Tain District told this paper that he is highly optimistic to snatch the seat which is currently occupied by the NDC. “I’m the only person the NDC members are afraid to contest in the 2024 general elections”, he revealed.
Alexander Ababio
The Chief Executive Officer of Bofoakwa Tano football club mentioned numerous things he has done for the constituents and still doing them ranging from education, sports, infrastructure among others. He said a mini stadium has been constructed at Debibi for Debibi United Football Club. According to him, 3 – unit classroom block has also been built for Debibi Methodist JHS.
He explained further that many youth in the area have been assisted in devise for economic empowerment while others are enjoying support for their education in both secondary and tertiary levels. Adding that, he has paid and continues to pay medical bills for needy patients in the area.
On his vision if elected as NPP Parliamentary candidate for 2024 elections,
Ababio Alexander said his focus is to win the seat for NPP, human capital and accelerated growth and development. On the human capital, he said, the constituents especially the youth irrespective of political party one belongs to would be equipped with the needed skills in order to become self- employed.
On the Presidential primaries, Ababio Alexander said all the ten aspirants are qualified to lead the party but urged them to conduct clean campaign devoid of insults and derogatory remarks.
According to him, anyone who wins would campaign on the achievements of NPP hence there’s the need for all aspirants and their supporters to embark on clean campaign.
Three people picked the forms to contest. But one can safely say that it’s a straight fight between Manaf Ibrahim and Hajia Zeinabu Sallow.
Manaf is a former Ashanti Regional Assistant Secretary, a former Political aide at the office of the vice President. He contested for the position in 2015 and lost against Alidu Seidu the former parliamentary candidate. He came back in 2019 and it didn’t work out. He has successfully filed to contest again.
He firmly believes that his leadership will bring hope and opportunities to the NPP, ensuring victory in the constituency.
Hajia Zainab on the other is a banker by profession and she’s in her third term as the Ashanti Regional treasurer of the party. She’s currently the Ashanti Regional Director for Masloc.
This marks her first attempt to contest for the parliamentary position, and if successful, she would become the second woman to represent the party as a parliamentary candidate after Madam Patricia Appiagyei, the current MP for Asokwa, who is regarded as the best candidate in the constituency’s history.
Both candidates have their unique strengths and visions.
Manaf believes that a change in leadership is essential to bring about positive transformation and ensure victory for the party, while Hajia Zeinabu aims to be a unifier, bringing together all factions to secure the seat. Her slogan,
“Unifier, Trusted Leadership for Asawase,” reflects her commitment to this mission, with “Nkabom Hemaa” as her nickname.Let’s see how it goes.
The leader and founder of the Caravan of Prayer Outreach Ministry at Gyinyase in the Asokwa Municipality of Ashanti, Apostle Johnson Ackah Braimah says Parliament must reconsider bill recently passed for the cultivation of cannabis for industrial purposes in the country.
Ghana’s Parliament passed Narcotics Control Commission(Amendment Bill,2023) on 12th July,2023 to allow Industrial Production of Cannabis.The Law now empowers the Minister to grant licenses for cannabis cultivation within Ghana.
Aps.Johnson Ackah Braimah
He said people would take advantage of that and supply the product in the system.
He told this paper that, he don’t have any problem growing cannabis in Ghana for industrial purposes but his main concern is that some of the youth in the country would fully take advantage of it.
According to him, it would be better if the government could acquire a land specifically for this purpose and strictly monitor their operations.
Apostle Braimah noted with great concern that already cannabis is impacting negatively on the lives of our youth and if care is not taken, the aim of passing this bill will do more harm than good.
He said the lives of the youth must be seen as very important of every nation as they are the energetic ones to work to improve the socio-economic status of that country.
Ghana’s leading telecommunications company, MTN Ghana, has announced in its half year 2023 earnings release that it invested over GHS2 billion to enhance its network and IT systems to boost network quality in the first half of 2023.
CEO of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh, in his comments contained in the report said “Enhancements to the network and IT systems were made possible through an investment of GHS2.2 billion in total capex. We grew our 4G coverage to 99.3% of the population and rolled out 156 2G, 159 3G and 156 4G sites in the first half of 2023. Capex growth of 97.4% Year-on-Year was driven by acquisition of spectrum licenses, accelerated infrastructure deployment as well as an increase in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS16) lease costs which was driven by inflation-induced escalations on tower lease agreements.
Selorm Adadevoh-CEO
MTN Ghana in fulfilment of its obligations to the Government and its agencies, also paid the equivalent of 48% of its revenue in taxes, levies and payments to governmental agencies.
Selorm Adadevoh reiterated that, MTN Ghana is a tax compliant corporate citizen and contributes significantly to Ghana’s fiscal and socioeconomic development. In the first half of 2023, MTN Ghana contributed GHS2.7 billion in direct and indirect taxes, as well as GHS228 million in fees, levies and other payments to Governmental agencies.
Selorm Adadevoh reassured stakeholders of MTN Ghana’s continuous investment to develop platforms and improve its network and services to unlock value for stakeholders in line with the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy.
In his response to the potential risk of Ghana’s macroeconomic challenges on the business, Selorm Adadevoh said that the company will continue to explore efficiency measures, preserve liquidity and apply spend discipline to mitigate the business impact from the prevailing macroeconomic uncertainties.
MTN Ghana in creating shared value, continued its social intervention programmes, making significant progress on some key projects. According to the CEO, MTN Ghana remains committed to improving the lives of Ghanaians through appropriate and sustainable socioeconomic interventions and has made considerable progress in the construction of a 60-bed maternity and neonatal centre for the Keta Municipal Hospital and a STEM robotics lab for the Mamfe Girls’ School. It is expected that these projects will be completed in the second half of 2023 and handed over to the appropriate authorities.
MTN Ghana also announced adjustments in its market guidance on business performance over the medium term. Selorm Adadevoh said “Going into the second half of 2023, we do take cognisance of the possible dampening effect on Ghana’s economy from upward inflationary pressures, risks from Ghana’s debt sustainability and currency volatility. However, based on the effective execution of our business strategy, MTN Ghana has revised its medium-term guidance upwards from low-twenties to high-twenties (in percentage terms) growth in service revenue.”
MTN Ghana recorded a 27.9% increase in profit after tax of GHS1.77 billion in the first half of 2023. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) also increased by 29.4% to GHS3.5 billion while EBITDA margin decreased by 1.3 percentage points (pp) to 56.1%. Selorm Adadevoh attributed this performance to the effective execution of commercial plans, driving operational efficiencies, and creating shared value for its stakeholders despite a challenging macroeconomic environment in the first half of 2023.
End
Media Contacts:
Adwoa Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer
Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com
The Seidi Community in the Atwima Nwabiagya south Municipality in the Ashanti region has benefited from series of sensitization forums against the use of children in mining, especially illegal Mining popularly known as Galamsey.
The sensitization was organized for Parents,Teachers,stakeholders and school children in Seidi,the predominantly farming Community noted for mining activities involving children of school going age to expose them to health, legalities and environmental impact in order to get them stop using children fro mining.
Participants in a group photograph
The well attended forum organized by Madam Bernice Asante with full support of Seidi M/A Basic Junior High School (JHS) was funded by Global Greengrants Fund (GGF).
The forum which was held on 1st August,2023 at The Church of Pentecost auditorium at Seidi. was on the theme “The use of children in mining: Legalities and implications on health, environment and education”.
The key facilitators were:Dr.David Adu-Poku, Senior Lecturer,University of Energy and Natural Resources-UENR and Madam Lucy Afari-Yeboah,The Ashanti Regional Registrar- Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Dr.David Adu-Poku and Mad.Lucy Afari-Yeboah
Speaking on the Use of Children in mining: Legalities on Health, Environment and Education”, Dr.David Adu-Poku stressed on the need for all hands to be on deck to fight against illegal mining across the country.
He said Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer; overtook South Africa in 2019 with 4.8Million.
According to him, other commercially exploited minerals in Ghana are Manganese, bauxite, and diamonds. God, he said has blessed the nation with many resources and that about 95% of financial contribution to the economy is generated from Gold.”There are a lot of benefits from proper mining including development Projects, employment etc but things need to be done rightly.
Dr.Adu-Poku making presentation
He said Employment generation from large scale mining sector is about 20,000 but the negative impact nationally, seeming mismatch between development and mineral revenue. According to Dr.Adu-Poku locally, host mining communities are becoming perpetually impoverished, high unemployment, high cost of living (food, housing, health, education etc).
These he said increased poverty and social vices (prostitution, school dropouts, family breakdown, and teenage pregnancy among others).
He pointed out that with large scale mining, the employees or workers are protected because of the use of proper equipment but the surrounding communities usually bear the consequences or negative impact but with artisanal/small scale gold production, the risk is very high because they do it on the surface without personal protective Equipment (PPEs).
He stated emphatically that the engagement of children in illegal mining exposed them to several dangers. He revealed that usually nursing mothers are engaged in the risky illegal mining properly known as Galamsey without taking into consideration the negative impact on their health and that of their kids.
The Senior Lecturer of UENR said “we must be worried about the involvement of women and especially children in illegal mining activities”.
He said the use of mercury and cyanide has negative impact on the children and mothers.These include; health cost, socio-economic cost , environmental cost among other cost to the children and the nation.
Mad.Lucy Afari-Yeboah making presentation
Dr Adu-Poku touching on the health cost of illegal mining to women and children cautioned miners against the use of mercury mostly by artisanal and small scale gold miners.
He hinted that even though, mercury is very poisonous which is not supposed to be easy accessible but Gold dealers are trading mercury in barter trade with illegal miners across illegal mining communities. Using pictorial evidence in his power point presentation to give participants clear understanding of his message, Dr.Adu-Poku said “Mercury is no go area because it’s poisonous. Mercury he said is exposed to air,water,fish, vaccines, amalgam fillings and cosmetics, lotions, and fragrances makes everyone at risk
According to him, long term negative effects as a result of the use of mercury in mining especially on children include;Brain -behavior problem, lower IQ, hearing loss and learning disability.
On the implications on environment, the Senior Lecturer said the uniminaginable environmental cost include; water pollution, depletion of forest.
He said there are alternative to the use of mercury which is poisonous which are sluice boxes,the use of Borax,mild leaching (cyanidation).He disclosed that most large scale mining companies use cyanide.He therefore appealed to the government to focus on training of miners in the country to desist from engaging children, nursing mothers and the use of mercury for any form of mining activities.
The Ashanti Regional Registrar of CHRAJ,Madam Lucy Afari-Yeboah mentioned that Children’s Act,1998 (Act 560) enjoined Parents not to force children into any form of Hazardous work.She encouraged parents to enroll their wards into school, invest in them to become self-sufficient .According to her, proper education empowers children in all their endeavours. “Let’s enroll our children to school or vocational training.The law enjoined us not to maltreat our children or force them into illegal mining or any form of hazardous work”,she added.
Mad.Lucy Afari-Yeboah said “let’s all help to expose parents who force their children into illegal mining.We need to encourage our children to attend school”.
She said Article 94 of Children’s Act forbid children from mining especially illegal mining and cautioned children in Seidi and nearby communities to desist from mining before they are catch up with the law.CHRAJ,she said is always ready to standby children.
She said Act 560, session 94 of Children Act forbids parents from forcing children into hazardous work and cautioned them to stop exploitation of their children,She also advised children to be obedient to their parents and guidance.
Mad.Lucy Afari-Yeboah asked Parents to stop the blame game and take good care of their children. “Let’s help them to understand the health and environmental implications on illegal mining as well as the benefits of quality education”,
Nana Boakye -Seidi Chief also stressed on the urgent need for government to take a critical look at the proliferation of the use of mercury by galamseyers before they destroy everyone.
He encouraged the organizers to intensify the education against the use of children in illegal mining and the use of mercury for mining.The head teacher of Seidu Basic School ,Mr.Godfred Yeboah cried over kids abandoning school to date galamseyers which he said was affecting effective teaching and learning.
According to him, school going age involvement in Galamsey is gravely affecting teaching and learning as a result of absenteeism. Mr.Godfred Yeboah was grateful to the organizers for selecting the community and the school as beneficiaries of the forum.Source:tntnewspapergh.com
The Assembly member for Krofrom East electoral area who doubles as Presiding Member (PM) of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA),Hon.Patrick Kwame Frimpong ,has donated educational materials to schools within his electoral area.
Hon Frimpong specifically donated Mathematical sets to all final year BECE students in his electoral area.The females among the final year students also received free sanitary pads from the development-oriented Assembly member.
The educational materials which include; One hundred Fifty (150) dual desk, mathematical sets among other materials worth over Twenty Five thousand Ghana cedis (Ghc 25,000).
Beneficiaries schools include:New Tafo M/A basic school and Adabia Islamic basic school respectively.
Speaking at the short ceremony on Thursday,3rd August, 2023,Hon.Frimpong who is also Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Safe Journey Foundation, NGO specialized in road safety campaign said the donation forms part of his annual contributions to enhance teaching and learning in the electoral area and Kumasi Metropolis as a whole.
The dual desks donated
He advised the pupils especially BECE Candidates to take their studies very serious devoid of all acts that have tendency to thwart their efforts.He cautioned them against examination malpractice and encourages them to be bold to write all the papers without entertaining any fears.
KMA PM also encouraged parents /Guardians not to relent in their efforts of providing basic materials to their wards.
According to him,the need for parents to invest high in their wards education cannot be overemphasized since education is the bed rock of every developed society or community.
Hon.Patrick Kwame Frimpong took time to admonish the head teachers of various schools including Adabia Islamic primary school & New Tafo M/A to continue to give out their best.
He commanded the teachers in the area for their commitment in ensuring provision of quality education.
Hon.Patrick Kwame Frimpong speaking to the media
The donation was received by New Tafo M/A JHS head Teacher,Mrs.Roska Boahen as well as head teacher for Adabia Islamic primary school for onwards distribution to the students.
They commended Hon Patrick Frimpong for his frequent donations and support towards provision of quality education in the area and the country at large.
They encouraged individuals, Churches, NGOS among other stakeholders to emulate the gesture of Hon.Patrick Kwame Frimpong. Mrs.Boahen described Krofrom East Assembly member as a exceptional leader and prayed he goes far in his political carrier.According to her,since 2018 to date hon.Patrick Kwame Frimpong has made it annual ritual to support New Tafo M/A basic school with educational materials as well as supporting BECE candidates with requisite materials for their examinations. Source: Tntnewspapergh.com
Mrs.Irene Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu,the wife of Majority Leader of Parliament, has lamented about the alarming teenage Pregnancy figures across the country. She has therefore called on all stakeholders to work hand in hand to create a society that cherishes and uplifts its young people.
According to her,comprehensive sex education, improved access to reproductive health services, and supportive programmes for young parents are essential components of this effort. By leveraging the power of data-driven approaches and fostering a culture of inclusivity and support, “we can pave the way for a brighter future for Ghana’s youth and the nation as a whole”,she added.
Mrs. Irene Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sompahemaa Foundation made the call during maiden edition of the Teenage Pregnancy and violence awareness campaign held on 29th July,2023 at Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School,Kumasi.
The well attended campaign was under the theme “Empowering the Youth to be Better Future Leaders,”.
Sompahemaa said “together, let us empower our youth to be the exceptional leaders we envision – leaders who will shape a more equitable, prosperous, and vibrant future for Ghana. As Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States once said, “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”
She revealed that according to data by the Ghana Health Service, in 2020, 13 teenage girls in Ghana got pregnant on a daily basis. Again, of all the teenage pregnancies that occurred between 2016 and 2020, over 13,400 involved girls between the ages of 10 and 14.
The statistics further indicate that 102,673 teenagers were reported pregnant in 2022 alone. According to Sompahemaa,these figures are not only disturbing, but are also a critical concern that have life-time ramifications on the lives, health, wealth and well-being of the youth, their children, families, communities, and the country at large.
Mrs.Irene Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
Part of Sompahemaa’s statement reads“there are a number of contributing factors that lead to teenage pregnancy and births. Among these are: Poverty-It is an indubitable fact that poverty is one of the major causes of teenage pregnancy. The increasing rate of unemployment among many parents has resulted in abject poverty in many deprived areas of the country, forcing them to shirk their responsibility of providing for the needs of their children. Some girls in such areas, in their quest to acquire some money and items to meet their daily needs, are sometimes lured by unscrupulous men into unprotected sex leading to teenage pregnancies and a vicious cycle of poverty.
Lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights A number of young people, especially girls in deprived communities, have been deprived access to education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and this results in a myriad of harmful practices which include teenage pregnancy, early and childhood marriages and gender-based violence.
Broken Homes It has been revealed in a number of studies that divorce has one of the most negative effects on children. Children living in single parent homes are more likely to be pregnant as teenagers, drop out of school and have behavioural issues. In other words, girls who suffer parental neglect or who come from broken homes are more likely to become teenage mothers.
Furthermore, children born to these teenage mothers have a higher chance of giving birth before they reach the age of twenty. This may be due to the lack of proper and adequate training by one or both parents.
Child, early and forced marriage In many societies, girls are under pressure to marry and bear children. As of 2021, the estimated global number of child brides was 650 million: child marriage places girls at increased risk of pregnancy because girls who are married very early typically have limited autonomy to influence decision-making about delaying child-bearing and contraceptive use. Some girls, in many places, choose to become pregnant because they have limited educational and employment prospects. Often in such societies, motherhood – within or outside marriage/union – is valued, and marriage or union and childbearing may be the best of the limited options available to adolescent girls.
Sexual violence
Child sexual abuse increases the risk of unintended pregnancies. A WHO report dated 2020 estimates that 120 million girls aged under 20 years have experienced some form of forced sexual contact.
The serious health, social and economic consequences it poses to individuals, families and communities are dire. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) asserts that many adolescents and young women are prone to several sexual and reproductive health consequences including sexually transmitted infections, repeated pregnancy(ies), sexual and gender-based violence, abuse and exploitation, fistula, and other post-partum reproductive challenges
3.0 Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy
Impact on the education of the girl child Distinguished Guests, as we strive to empower our youth, we cannot overlook the educational disruptions that are caused by teenage pregnancy. According to the Health and Education Resource Centre of UNESCO, up to 30% of the over 102,000 girls who had dropped out of school (as of 2022) was as a result of teenage pregnancy emanating from social and economic factors.� (I am sure that as I speak, some of you know of friends or relatives who have dropped, or are considering dropping out of school because they are pregnant).
This situation limits opportunities for personal and professional growth because the responsibility of parenthood at such a young age may hinder academic progress and limit future employment prospects, thereby perpetuating a cycle of limited financial stability.
3.2 Emotional and Psychological Challenges
Furthermore, teenagers who get pregnant face emotional and psychological challenges, which include increased stress, anxiety, and social stigma. They may encounter feelings of isolation, depression, a loss of adolescence, and struggle to navigate the complexities of parenthood.
They often face the burden of increased responsibilities, including caring for a child, while simultaneously trying to pursue education or establish a career. This juggling act can limit their opportunities and hinder their ability to reach their full potential. In most cases, a teenage mother is forced to drop out of school in order to fend for her child.
This is worsened by the fact that the state of mind of a teenage mother may not be well developed to handle such emotional and psychological strains. Indeed, I must admit that in my line of work, I have come across countless young girls whose ambitions and aspirations have been cut short because they got pregnant along the way.
I remember that as a child, I witnessed numerous occasions when teenage girls who got pregnant were ridiculed by friends and family members, people who should rather have encouraged them and assured them that all was not lost. In fact, some of these girls were beaten by their own parents for bringing “shame” to their families.
It is sad to note that this situation can perpetuate gender inequalities in our society. This is because while these adolescent mothers often face stigma and discrimination, which limits their opportunities for personal and professional growth, their male counterparts (including those who impregnate them) continue to pursue their education and other endeavours without too many obstacles in their path.
That is why I would urge all of us here, especially my fellow ladies, to take very seriously the issues I am raising this afternoon.
3.3 Impact on the health of the mother
Ladies and Gentlemen, one of the most conspicuous challenges associated with teenage pregnancy is the health risks it has on the teenage mother. Teenage mothers face a higher risk of maternal mortality and complications during childbirth, while their babies are more likely to experience adverse health outcomes.
This is because the young bodies of these girls are often not fully developed to bear the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth, and this can lead to increased health risks for both the mother and the child. Some of the health complications that may arise during pregnancy among teenage girls are higher risk of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis, premature births and low birth weights.� As a professional nurse myself, I have witnessed at first hand the debilitating risks that teenage mother and their babies go through and it is something that I would not want any of us here to experience.
3.4 Impact on the child
The consequences of teenage pregnancy extend beyond the health of the immediate individuals involved. Children born to teenage parents are more likely to face difficulties, including lower academic achievement, increased risk of poverty, and potential behavioural challenges.
Thus, the cycle of teenage pregnancy can affect future generations and can bring about continuous societal challenges. It is not uncommon to find, especially in less-privileged communities, families riddled with a number of teenage mothers whose children also grow up to continue the cycle, thereby condemning an entire generation into a stinking pool of endemic poverty.
3.5 The Economic Impact of Teenage Pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy has economic implications for both the individual and the nation. Ghana loses millions of Cedis annually in potential earnings due to adolescent pregnancy and childbirth.
This then puts enormous strain on the already over-burdened finances of the country.
4.0 The Way Forward
The best way to protect ourselves from teenage pregnancy is abstinence. Staying away from sex and concentrating on our studies is the best way to curb the menace of teenage pregnancy. Several studies have shown that there is a causal relationship between girl child enrolment in school and teenage pregnancy.� In other words, the more girls we have in the classroom, the fewer number of teenage pregnancies we record. What this means is that, if we want to reduce the incidents of teenage pregnancy in the country, all efforts must be made to increase girl child enrolments in schools around the country.
It is, therefore, refreshing to observe that the Free Senior High School Policy introduced by the Government in 2017 has significantly increased enrolment in various senior high schools across the country and I am glad that you are all beneficiaries.
I would also like to urge our educational authorities and parents to provide our teenagers with accurate, age-appropriate, and comprehensive sex education that covers topics such as contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and the emotional aspects of relationships.
Empowering adolescents with the right knowledge to make informed choices and avoid unplanned pregnancies is key in reducing the consequences of the teenage pregnancy.
My fellow ladies, I would like to plead with you to be content with the little that your parents give you for your upkeep. Sometimes, our insatiable desire for things we know we cannot have at this stage of our lives open us up for some unscrupulous men to take advantage of us, and when pregnancy sets in, these same people will reject the pregnancy and continue with their lives.
If you have already found yourself in this situation, do not throw up your hands in despair, but take inspiration from the stories of great women such as Elvina Felix, whose plans of going to the university and having a career in future seemed to have ended when she got pregnant at the young age of 14 while in grade 7.
However, determined not to give up on her career ambitions, she went back to school the following year to continue with her studies. She became an administrator of the Mayor of the Kouga Municipality in South Africa, a pastor and the founder of Project 1000 Women, a non-profit organisation.
In her words to girls who become pregnant:
“It is not the end of the world. You must keep your head up and still follow your dreams, because it is not only your life anymore – it is both your lives on the line. Do better. Be better.”
Abortion should NEVER be an option because, as Elviva said, “It is not the end of the world.” Oprah Winfrey’s mother was just 18 years when gave birth to her amidst extremely excruciating poverty but she did not consider an abortion and today, Oprah Winfrey has, for over two decades, maintained the enviable record of being the one of the most influential TV hosts of all time and also the richest Black woman in the world. Indeed, Oprah herself also got pregnant at the age of 14 but, like her mother, she also did not consider an abortion.
For this to be possible in our communities, we have to ensure that teenagers have access to affordable and confidential reproductive healthcare services and prenatal care. Support programmes that provide counseling, parenting classes, and vocational training to help young parents navigate the challenges they are faced with during the period. By putting these measures in place, we can work towards better healthcare outcomes for both young mothers and their children.
Furthermore, as advocates for girls’ rights, we must challenge the societal norms that discriminate against teenage mothers and create an environment that values and supports all young individuals, irrespective of their past experiences.
When we see friends, colleagues or relatives in this situation, let us get close to them and offer them all the support we can, instead of gossiping and making fun of them.Source:tntnewspapergh.com
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sekyere Kumawu constituency in the Ashanti region, Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim has advised parents not to allow their children to engage in any act that have potency to impact them negatively ahead of BECE exams.
Hon Ernest Yaw Anim with hon.Samuel Addai Agyekum making presentation at the ceremony
The MP gave the advised when he presented mathematical sets to BECE candidates within his constituency and also made transport arrangements for them during their exams.
Hon.Anim cautioned the BECE candidates to strictly adhere to rules and regulations governing the Exams devoid of cheating.
On his part,the District Chief Executive(DCE) for the area Hon.Samuel Addai Agyekum also advised the candidates to take their studies seriously especially with few days to the exams.
He reminded them that “Free SHS is waiting for you so work hard to pass your BECE and enjoy it”.The DCE also commended the teachers in the district for their good works and encouraged them not to relent in their efforts.
The District supervision & Monitoring Officer, Mr.Nti Danso commended Hon.Ernest Yaw Anim for his kindness towards BECE candidates.He assured the MP of proper distribution of the items to all targeted beneficiaries for the fulfillment of its intended purpose.Source:tntnewspapergh.com
North Tongu Constituency MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed his disappointment in the government’s failure to remove taxes on sanitary pads.
According to him, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s refusal to remove the taxes on sanitary pads during his presentation of the Mid-Year Budget review in Parliament shows that the government does not care about the human rights of Ghanaians.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday during the last debate on the Mid-Year budget, he explained that Ghanaian women had expressed their grievances with the taxes imposed on sanitary pads and were expecting the government to address the issue in the budget.
“Mr. Speaker, I recall that you also spoke emphatically, which was well received by the Ghanaian people, that the Mid-Year review should abolish taxes on sanitary pads.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
“It is an embarrassment that such a gross human rights issue did not receive attention from the FinanBut the New Patriotic Party MP for Sefwi Akontombra Constituency in the Western Region, Alex Tetteh Djournobuah explained that abolishing taxes on sanitary pads will collapse the local industries.
He further noted that the North Tongu MP was misrepresenting the fact and actual details of the taxes the government has imposed on sanitary pads.
“I want you to recall that there is a report from AGI that government should allow the local companies to produce the sanitary pads in this country.
ce Minister,” Mr Ablakwa said. “Mr. Speaker, if you compare the price from the foreign sanitary pad as I speak, it’s GH₵15 per one. The local companies are preparing or producing this particular sanitary pad at a cost of GH₵11.
To this end, the Deputy Regional Minister for Western North questioned Mr Ablakwa whether the government should allow the local industries to collapse in the country.
Background
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin had called on the government to abolish taxes on sanitary pads.
Mr Bagbin said that the menstrual cycle comes with its own complications, therefore imposing taxes on sanitary pads is unacceptable.
However, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) says any policy measure by the government that seeks to remove taxes on imported sanitary pads at the expense of local manufacturers of the same will be very detrimental to the economy.
It said as much as the waiver of duties or taxes on imported sanitary pads for young women to make the pads more affordable may sound good, it would only end up completely wiping out the few local sanitary pad factories left in the country.
“The history of the NPP tells us that no President can foist a candidate on the Party against its wishes. The NPP is not that kind of Party. We have never subscribed to a cult of personality. Indeed, our highly-respected former President, the 1st NPP President, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, in the aftermath of my election as NPP Presidential Candidate, by the 2007 National Congress, told the Congress that ‘the Party has its spirit’, a spirit that cannot be ignored.”
These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when he met with communicators of the New Patriotic Party, who called on him at Jubilee House, the seat of the nation’s presidency, on Wednesday, 2nd August 2023.
In a response to an appeal by the NPP Director of Communications, Mr. Richard Ahiagbah, in relation to the Party’s conduct in next year’s election, President Akufo-Addo stated that the Party cannot afford to allow what happened to it in 2008 to reoccur in 2024.
“We are all witnesses to the derailing of the achievements chalked by President John Agyekum Kufuor by the successor NDC Government, from 2009 to 2017, in which John Dramani Mahama featured so prominently,” the President noted.
Nana Akufo-Addo
According to him “under 8-years of the successor NDC Government, we became famous for all the wrong reasons. Four successive years of dumsor, the mismanagement of the economy, wrong and dangerous energy contracts, and wanton corruption dissipated any hope the Ghanaian had for sustained economic development. Never again should we allow this to happen.”
With the start of the final leg of internal contests of the NPP, President Akufo-Addo noted that some actions by a few members of the party are making the front pages for the wrong reasons.
“We are expending some of our energies hurling invectives at each other, instead of at our opponents, and, in the process, taking digs at our own Government. It has been an anxious time for all who love our party, and who see us as the party that can bring progress and prosperity to our nation,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo continued, “It is for this reason that, as President of the Republic and de-facto leader of the Party, I want to ensure that certain actions of yesteryear, which contributed to our loss in 2008, are not repeated. We cannot afford an internal campaign based on ethnic or religious considerations.”
Describing the NPP as “the Party of Ghana’s unity”, the President rejected forcefully the assertions “being made by a few in our party who, because of internal party politicking, are accusing my government of allegedly “intimidating” and “coercing” party faithful to throw their support behind one of the presidential aspirants, that is the Vice President. It is a false and malicious narrative.”
He told the Communicators of the Party that he beat my chest and say, without any fear of contradiction, that there is no one in the Party who can say that he, President Akufo-Addo, has asked him or her to support this or that aspirant.
“I have not set out to dismiss any MMDCE or political appointee from office for supporting any particular aspirant; no Minister or Deputy Minister has lost their job or been threatened for openly campaigning for their preferred presidential aspirant; neither has any caveat emanated from Jubilee House to the Party across the length and breadth of the country demanding that Candidate A be supported over Candidate B. I, better than anyone in the Party, know that this is not the way to go,” he stated.
Whoever becomes Presidential Candidate, according to the President, “will be chosen freely and transparently by an Electoral College of some two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) people, and not by President Akufo-Addo. I have just one vote, the same as any polling station executive anywhere in the country.”
He indicated, however, that he would “cast that vote for an aspirant who, I believe, can best unite the Party, and, above all, who can win the presidential election of 7th December 2024, and inflict a third successive defeat on the perennial NDC Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama.”
President Akufo-Addo reassured the gathering that victory for the NPP in election 2024, and handing over to an NPP Presidential Candidate so elected as President by the Ghanaian people, are what he is working for, and he expects all members of the NPP to share the same goals.
“I assume that we all want our party to win the 2024 elections decisively, our parliamentary candidates to win, again, the majority of seats in Parliament, and our flagbearer to become the President of the Republic. I expect and accept arguments on how we prosecute this agenda. But I do not expect and do not accept that party members would do anything to jeopardise the goal we have set ourselves of winning the 2024 elections, and I will work with all who seek this objective,” he added.
Touching on the economy, President Akufo-Addo stressed that, but for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ghana would have witnessed an economic boom, following three (3) successive years when the country was one of the fastest growing economies in the world, recording an annual GDP growth rate of seven percent (7%), up from three-point four percent (3.4%), the lowest in a generation, the NPP inherited from the Mahama-led NDC Government at a time when there was no global turbulence.
“By the Grace of Almighty God, together with appropriate policy and hard work, we are seeing a turnaround in our fortunes, and this turnaround will be sustained. We are not about to throw this away, and no machinations are going to weaken us.
We will work hard the next sixteen (16) months to finish strongly our current mandate, and merit again the trust and confidence of the Ghanaian people, Break the Eight, and make history together,” he added.
