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GFGF begins teenage pregnancy prevention project in Wassa Fiase
• Nana Kunadjoa II (middle) addressing participants with some members of the Foundation
The Nana Abena Kunadjoa II Foundation has begun stakeholders’ engagement at Kyekyewere in the Prestea- Huni Valley Municipality to reduce teenage pregnancies in the WassaFiase Traditional area of the Western Region.
The five-year teenage pregnancy prevention project, supported by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF), is being implemented in collaboration with queens, Department of Social Welfare and Community Development and Ghana Education Service (GES), will be held in communities including Benso, Daboase, Bonsawere and Tarkwa -Nsuaem.
Some critical issues of the project are to reduce early sex life among the adolescents, save vulnerable girls from being exploited sexually by men, expose young girls to sexual reproductive issues and address lack of parental responsibilities at WassaFiase.
Speaking to queens, parents and students at Kyekyewere last Friday, Founder of the foundation, Nana AbenaKunadjoa II, said she was saddened by the experiences shared by children regarding their reproductive health and welfare, and reiterated that curbing teenage pregnancies was big task for stakeholders.
She stated that the foundation was ready to partner and share its vision of supporting the less privileged and also assist young girls to aspire and fulfil their future dreams.
“I will urge all queens to organise their communities and we are ready to come over and hold discussions with parents and young ones. We are ready for this project and we’ll not relent. This project is dear to my heart; It’s our target to reduce teenage pregnancies in WassaFiase,” Nana Kunadjoa stressed.
She stated that children were a blessing to parents not a burden on society.
Nana AmaSaarah, queen of Subri also blamed husbands for some of the ordeals children went through and suggested those who fall short should be sanctioned and be made examples to others in society.
She told the students “You must also be humble and be an example to others in future. You have the opportunity to excel and build your future. Avoid boy friendships which will do you no good.” she added.
The Girl Child Education Officer at GES Tarkwa, Madam GiftyEfuaNyinaku, told the participants to take the discussions on teenage pregnancies serious due to its harm to students’ education, health and future.
Teenage pregnancies, she said, were an affront to development and that, the pregnant girl child could be anaemic, with baby becoming prematured, deformed and may die.
MsNyinaku stressed “You may end up having urinary tract infections, incur heavy costs in medical care, stop school, get traumatised and stigmatised or may experience perinatal deaths and also have sexual transmitted infections .”
She said, good communication between parents and children especially young girls was critical to appreciate the needs and worries and also address pressing issues including provision of sanitary pads.
With this, Ms Nyinaku said, the girls would gain the confidence of parents and avoid peers for information which might be detrimental to their wellbeing.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Kyekyewere
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Prof. Mike Oquaye accuses gov’t of ‘secret trial’ of Chief Justice
Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has criticised the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) over what he described as the mishandling of the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
He is unhappy with the constitutional provision requiring the hearing of the Chief Justice’s case to be held in-camera.
“I am concerned about certain issues that I consider vital, particularly the trial in-camera provision. You will ask yourself what the rationale is for that provision in our constitution, what is its purpose, and if we are to give it a purposeful interpretation, where shall we go? The purpose is it to benefit the people of Ghana as a whole, that the Chief Justice must be trial in-camera…”
He added, “From the very beginning, the constitution tells us justice belongs to the people, it emanates from the people, justice belongs to all of us people, one may say that this provision could be advarance to the one that says trial must be done in-camera.” he said in an exclusive interview with JoyNews.
Prof. Oquaye also raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of the process.
He argued that the judiciary must be insulated from political interference, adding that the current handling of the matter risks eroding confidence in the rule of law.
The Chief Justice was recently suspended following allegations of misconduct, after which a formal petition was submitted to President John Mahama, prompting the formation of a committee to investigate the matter.
The proceedings, however, have largely been conducted in-camera, drawing criticism from sections of the public and some legal minds.
While the NDC government maintains that the suspension was carried out in accordance with constitutional provisions, Prof. Quaye argues that the secrecy surrounding the process undermines the principles of accountability and due process.
Source:Myjoyonline.com
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Committee on Roads and Transport engages Transport Ministry
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport has paid a familiarization visit to the Ministry of Transport and its agencies to perform its legislative oversight and foster collaboration in Ghana’s transport sector.
The visit by the 17-member Committee led by its Chairman, Isaac Adjei Mensah, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Wassa East Constituency in the Western Region, was aimed at getting updates on ongoing projects and foster direct dialogue with agencies under the Ministry’s purview.
The Chairman of the committee described the visit as “a strategic and symbolic gesture” and emphasized the importance of direct engagement with sector leadership to enable informed legislative support.
The Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe outlined some reforms including a framework to regularize commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada by lowering the minimum rider age from 25 years to 21 years, which is near completion and will soon be presented to Parliament.
He also mentioned the reviving of Ghana’s national carrier via a public-private partnership, upgrading airport infrastructure, studying coastal routes to ease road congestion, opening a new DVLA branch in Adenta, and upgrading the Ghana Civil Aviation Training Academy.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry is in the process of procuring new buses for Metro Mass and STC.
The other Members of the visiting Committee were Chiwitey Dari Andrew, Vice Chairperson and MP for Sawla/Tuna/Kalba; Osei Nyarko Kennedy, MP for Akim Swedru and the Ranking Member; Francis Asenso-Boakye, MP for Bantama; Frimpong Kwame Ohene, MP for Asante Akim North; Cudjoe Doyoe Comfort, Ada MP; Marfo Ahenkorah Kofi, MP for Achiase; Mahama Toure Naser, Ayawaso East MP; Ziedeng Anwataazumo Bede, MP for Lawra and Mubarak Seid, MP for Sunyani East.
The Committee also visited the Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Training Centre to be acquainted with its functions and operations.
