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‘Let professional counselor, law enforces deal with marital violence’
Religious organisations have been admonished to allow professional counsellors and law enforcement agencies to handle cases of Gender-Based Violence in marriages.
This is to reduce the level of emotions attached to such issues by unprofessionals that could aggravate the situation and in the end do more harm than good to both the perpetrators and victims.
In an interview with The Spectator on Wednesday, an Associate Pastor of the Salvation Prayer Missions World Wide Ghana, at Lapaz, in Accra, Lady Rev Salome Afua Owusu Afriyie said sometimes therapy, anger management, legal actions and activities that would lead to psychological transformation were necessary to help address such worrisome issues in marriage.
She observed that some religious bodies may not have the capacity to properly counsel the couple and resort to measures such as asking the victims to pray for their perpetrators to have a change of heart which might not be appropriate.
She said it was not misplaced to suggest separation if the situation was becoming worse because this gave both spouses the opportunity to step aside from each other to see whether the marriage could work again or “forever remain broken”.
The Associate Pastor said where it was needful to resort to necessary measures to keep the abuser away, for example a restraining order, this should be done by the use of the law court or other legal institutions of state.
She said where the situation became unbearable, the victims must be given the freehand to walk away from their abusive marriage and begin a new life.
“Let us also get professionals to teach and raise awareness to help prevent such issues in our various organisations” she stated.
Lady Rev Afriyie said that curbing Gender-Based Violence in marriages must be a shared responsibility.
She said it was important that families played a watch role in ensuring that their members were safe after marriage but should not take any changes they observed in them for granted.
She said “It is not easy to tell others that you are being abused so when people muster courage to say they are going through such a challenge, families must act swiftly because delays had led to the loss of lives in some homes”.
The Associate Pastor again advised persons who were yet to get married to look out for signs of abuse and should not take them for granted when they were identified.
She said signs such as “insecurity, a possessive partner or one who looks or talks down on you whether in private or public should be seen as a red flag and be treated with all the seriousness possible or such relationships should be brought to an end”.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23
Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.
The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.
The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.
It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.
The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.
Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.
CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.
Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.
In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.
He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.
