Hot!
Searching for love: 34 women rejected me for my disability – former GFPO Prez
Getting a suitable partner to marry is usually a daunting task for many young people but it is worse when it comes to persons with disabilities.
They suffer stigma in various forms because many treat them as if they are less humans and cannot meet their expectations.
A Former President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, Mr. Prince Debrah who is an Electronic Engineer in an interview with The Spectator on Wednesday said that, he was rejected by 34 women before his present wife said “yes” to him.
“Some people look down on us and feel we will not make good spouses. For those who are even ready to date you, they wish that it is kept a secret because they are embarrassed to let people know” he said.
Mr. Debrah said he had been generous and shown so much love and care towards every woman he expressed interest in but this never worked.
He said most of them pretentiously showed interest and returned the love until it was time to meet their families.
He said some either developed cold feet or their families made very unpleasant comments which was a clear indication that he was not welcomed and so he had to move on.
The Electronic Engineer said he, however, did not give up but decided to keep trying his luck until he met Ms Esther Debrah who received him with opened arms and has been the best wife any man could get.
He said they have been married for 15 years and have five daughters.
“People are of the opinion that a physically challenged person can not give satisfaction in bed and for such people, I used to dare them to try me” he said amidst laughter.
He said others also had a perception that they were incapable of making babies and feared that even if they could, they may give birth to disabled children.
He described such thoughts as unfortunate and largely based on ignorance because “not all disabilities are hereditary or genetic but some happen as a result of accidents.
“I was not born physically challenged. It was a case of medical negligence and this happened to me when I was eight years” he disclosed.
He said disabled persons struggled a lot to get their partners as a result, some have no choice but to marry their colleagues.
The former president of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations said spouses of disabled persons also suffered serious stigmatisation as they were asked silly questions sometimes regarding their marriage with able-bodied persons.
“You get people asking why of all the people in this world, you have decided to settle down with this man or woman as if we are also not humans. Others also question our sexual lives,” he decried the form of discrimination in society.
He advised people to stop stigmatising disabled persons and that those who had decided to marry them, should be left alone to live their comfortable lives.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
Hot!
Communication Ministry To Train 3000 Girls This Year Under The Girls-In-ICT Initiative
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations is set to train 3,000 girls under this year’s Girls-In-ICT Initiative.
The 2025 edition of the programme will expand its footprint to three key regions: Volta, Upper East and Upper West, with each region hosting 1,000 girls for in-person training sessions.
This marks a significant increase in reach and impact compared to previous years, where only 500 girls received face-to-face training while an additional 500 participated online.
By offering full in-person training to all participants this year, the Ministry aims to provide a more immersive and hands-on experience in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education.
The Minister, Samuel Nartey George (MP) revealed this when a team from TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) paid a courtesy call on him today in his office and expressed interest in supporting the Girls-In-ICT Initiative.
During the meeting, the TCS team led by the President-MEA, Sumanta Roy commended the Ministry for its efforts in promoting digital inclusion and bridging the gender gap in technology through the Girls-In-ICT programme.
They emphasized the alignment of the initiative with TCS’s global corporate social responsibility agenda, which includes advancing education, promoting digital skills, and empowering underrepresented groups, especially young women in the tech industry.
The Honourable Minister welcomed the interest shown by TCS and noted that strategic partnerships like this are essential to the sustainability and expansion of the initiative.
The Girls-In-ICT Initiative, one of the Ministry’s flagship programs, seeks to equip young girls with practical digital skills and introduce them to the vast opportunities within the ICT sector.
The initiative also aims to address gender disparity in STEM fields and encourage greater female participation in Ghana’s digital economy.
Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP) speaking about the 2025 rollout, stated: “This year’s program represents our commitment to building inclusive digital skills and creating future leaders in tech.
By expanding in-person sessions to all participants, we’re ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to learn, engage, and grow with hands-on support from professionals and mentors”.
Participants in this year’s training will receive instruction in coding, basic computer operations, cybersecurity and creative digital tools.
The programme also features mentorship sessions with women in tech, ICT competitions and career development workshops designed to build confidence and spark innovation among the girls.
According to the Minister, empowering girls today with ICT skills will transform communities and drive national development. The initiative is a key part of Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda, which emphasizes equitable access to digital tools and education for all citizens.
About the Girls In ICT Initiative:
The Girls-in-ICT (GIICT) Initiative was introduced in Ghana in 2012. It is an initiative by the International Telecommunications Union to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICT.
Hot!
GEXIM deepens relations with US EXIM Bank
A management team of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah met with the leadership of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Washington DC, United States of America.
The Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM, Mr. James C. Cruse and Vice President, International Relations, Ms. Isabel Galdiz received the GEXIM delegation, which included Deputy CEO for Banking, Mr. Moses Klu Mensah and Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney at the headquarters of US EXIM.
The meeting offered the GEXIM team the opportunity to share the strategic direction of the Bank in line with the resetting agenda of the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy into an export-led one by providing the requisite investment to Ghanaian businesses.
Mr. James C. Cruse expressed US EXIM’s eagerness to deepen its existing relations with GEXIM and proposed the signing of a new Cooperative Framework Agreement following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 to utilize US EXIM’s medium term loan guarantees to procure machinery by GEXIM for qualified Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Mr.Sylvester Mensah thanked the Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM for hosting the GEXIM delegation and reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Ghana and its global partners for economic transformation of Ghana with GEXIM playing a pivotal role.
The two teams will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 US EXIM Annual Conference on 29th and April 30, 2025 to explore possible areas of collaboration and matching Ghanaian businesses to American companies. The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.
