News
‘Don’t stigmatise childless couples’
After nine years of childlessness and depressing moments, a 40-year-old teacher, Sarfoa Kentimpo is overwhelmed with joy as she no longer suffers stigmatisation but is now a proud mother sharing her experiences with others.
Sharing the good, bad and ugly about the period of trying to conceive, with The Spectator she said that what she had desired and prayed about for so many years had finally come to pass after two miscarriages and the loss of a baby a few days after delivery through a caesarean section.
The 40-year-old mother said at a point, she was traumatised and feared whether she could conceive again and also carry it full-term without complications.
She said the stigmatisation was exhausting as some people thought it was her fault and constantly used abusive language on her, especially relatives whom she had expected to sympathise with her.
“At a point it looked like everyone had become a medical person prescribing local and orthodox medicine. Some even brought it and when I did not show interest in using it they said I was not serious. I have been through a lot,” she said with tears in her eyes.
She said she had spent much of her savings and time just to be a mother and nine years felt like eternity but was happy God had been faithful.
Ms Kentimpo encouraged all couples trying to conceive to be prayerful and also seek medical help because both was needed to make the dream of becoming a parent a reality.
She called on spouses to be supportive and avail themselves for medical attention while advising family members to be sensitive during such times.
She also called on spouses to defend their wives during what she described as the most vulnerable moment in their lives and protect them from attacks from in-laws who are not friendly because a good mental health was key to make conception a success.
The 40-year-old mother advised couples, especially the women to identify and engage in activities that made them happy and fulfilled to take their minds off the struggle to conceive.
“As for me, I realised that I got attracted to children so I spent more time with them and also provided some of their needs,” she disclosed.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
News
GBBF assistant treasurer, Aurora Commodore-Toppar eyes GOC Treasure slot at Elective Congress on Saturday
The Assistant treasurer of the Ghana Basketball Federation (GBBF), Madam Aurora Commodore-Toppar, has set her sights on becoming the next assistant treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) at the upcoming Elective Congress on Saturday.
The daughter of the former Chief Executive Officer of Accra Hearts of Oak, Mr. Emmanuel Martey Commodore-Mensah, will be vying for the position against Bernard Quartey of the Ghana Boxing Federation and Edward Patrick Nii Lante Banerman of the Handball Association of Ghana.
Having had her nomination approved by the GOC’s Electoral Commission, the well-seasoned banker, with over 15 years of rich working experience, believes she is well-suited and positioned to help structure the finances of this esteemed organisation.
In a chat with Spectator Sports, the captain of the bronze-winning 2024 University of Ghana basketball team at the 11th African University Games in Zaire, Nigeria, revealed her commitment to effective and accurate financial management, growth, and development of all associated sports federations.
She said, “I am committed to the growth of the GOC, and I want to offer my financial knowledge to aid in ensuring that the GOC operates with the highest standards of financial governance and set-up.”
According to her, the mission is to help promote the GOC’s agenda widely, and having served for over two decades in sports—especially basketball—in various capacities and roles, she believes this experience will help protect the GOC’s finances.
“If elected as assistant treasurer, I will do my utmost, together with the treasurer, to manage the GOC’s finances, including accounting and financial reporting among others,” she added.
According to her, “Accurate financial record-keeping has been a problem across the board; I will help eradicate this issue.”
Aurora Commodore-Toppar stands for transparency, hard work, and an inclusive work culture, she further added.
The former Aburi Girls’ Secondary School basketball team captain has played pivotal roles in improving sports in the country—especially basketball—including being a member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2023 Africa Games, an LOC member for the recently concluded Hoop Rave SHS competition, a project lead for FIBA’s “Her World, Her Rules” initiative, chair for the 2024 Fetu Afahye Basketball Tournament, and founder of the Stomp De Yard Basketball Tournament, among others.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
News
113 Cardinals hold 3rd General Congregation in Rome
The 113 Cardinals present in Rome held the third General Congregation on Thursday morning, and announced who will deliver the two pre-conclave meditations.
The Cardinals decided that Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández will celebrate the Mass on the sixth day of the Novemdiales, instead of Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
They agreed that Fr. Donato Ogliari, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls, will deliver the first meditation on Monday, and that Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher Emeritus of the Papal Household, will deliver the second meditation at the beginning of the conclave, whose starting date has not yet been decided.
The Cardinals began a conversation about the Church and the world, deciding to hold the next General Congregation on Friday morning at 9:00 AM.
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told journalists that 61,000 people have paid their respects to the late Pope Francis as of 1:00 PM on Thursday, adding that St. Peter’s Basilica should close at midnight on Thursday, unless large crowds are still queuing to enter.
Following the Pope’s funeral on Saturday, April 26, a Rosary will be held in front of the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Saturday at 9:00 PM.
Mr. Bruni said the burial service for Pope Francis will take place in private.
Starting the morning of Sunday, April 27, the faithful may begin to visit the tomb of Pope Francis at the Marian Basilica.
