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Infertility can cause mental disorders -Psychiatrist
Dr Emefa Dzordzorme
A Resident Psychiatrist at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Emefa Adzo Dzordzorme, has identified infertility as one of the contributory factors to mental disorders among childless couples, particularly women.
According to her, the psychological issues and challenges childless women experience can be worsened by derogatory comments and stigma.
Dr Dzordzorme said this at a training programme for Health Journalists organised by the Merck Foundation in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
The media training forms part of a community awareness programme by Merck Foundation in partnership with Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, who is an ambassador of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign.
Infertility is defined as trying to get pregnant with frequent unprotected sex for at least a year without success.
According to her, women mostly suffer the brunt of childlessness although the problem could be from both husband and wife or one of them.
She said in most Ghanaian societies, childless women were often mocked at gatherings such as workplaces, churches, family gatherings, and other social events, which has the tendency to compound already existing psychological issues affecting them.
She stated that issues of infertility could cause mental distress and make people have low self-esteem as they internalise some of the expectations of society, which could trigger depressive episodes.
“Infertility does not cause mental illness, but it contributes to the development and maintenance of a mental illness,” Dr Dzordzorme said.
She encouraged people suffering from infertility to seek help from specialists to help them deal with the biological issues as well as social and psychological.
Dr Dzordzorme advised individuals not to suffer alone since help was available, saying, “Whether you are going through infertility stigma, or mental health challenges, there are specialised practitioners available to help.”
She also urged the public to walk into the Accra Psychiatric Hospital and any of the regional hospitals and mental health units in the districts to seek help.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
