News
Women in rural communities still ‘landless’despite push for gender equality
Some customs and traditions have prevented hundreds of women from owning lands in some rural communities in the northern part of Ghana. Majority of these women are into agriculture but they do not own any farm land.
At Ligma, a rural community in Savelugu Municipal Assembly in the Northern Region land ownership is one of the biggest barriers where women still cannot legally own or control land.
Even though some of these women have farms and make decisions on ploughing and planting, their husbands have the final say on when and how the final harvest is going to be shared or sold.
Base on this cultural practice, women from various communities come together to work as a group on a piece of land close to a dam.
This type of farming known to them as Contract Farming, where they work on small portion of farm to make money. These women are not only bold enough to start a business venture on their own and support other women on their farms, but they reap a good harvest after planting vegetables.
To them, agriculture is not only a means of trade and a source of livelihood, but is fundamentally associated with their culture. In the hope of making money from their farmlands, some farm owners will be keen on giving some part of their land on a contract basis, while working on other farmlands.
Madam Safiatu Yakubu, a contract farmer, says the practice helps her get more income while taking care of hers.
“I usually get GH¢ 15.00 a day which support me take care of my children in school as well as buy other ingredients to prepare food for my family,” she said.
Madam Dora Haborsutei Torwiseh, Founder of Women for Change, a Non-governmental organisation (NGO) base in Tamale in an interview said, “giving females access to the same resources and education as males could increase food production in the country.
She pleaded with chiefs and traditional leaders to allow female farmers to owe land in order to expand their farming that could provide reliable source of income.
“Without adequate funds for capital investments, female farmers not likely to buy and use fertilizer, drought-resistant seeds, and other advanced farming tools and techniques that increase crop yield,” she said.
Madam Dora again said, when these women are supported it would create steady income opportunities for rural women who are struggling to support their families in the Northern Region of Ghana.
From Geoffrey Buta, Ligma
News
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
News
Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
