News
EC reminded of mandate to hold free, fair, peaceful election
Togbega Gabusu V11 (middle) flanked by some elders
Togbega Gabusu VII, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area, has reminded the Electoral Commission (EC) to make sure the upcoming December 7 elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner and ensure the will of Ghanaians are respected.
“We don’t want any attempt to disrupt our democratic process through violence situation.”
He, therefore cautioned the youth not to allow politicians to use them to foment trouble that would jeopardise the peace the country was enjoying.
Togbega Gabusu VII was speaking as the guest speaker during the 2nd Kpedze Awatukpe Festival of the chiefs and people of Kpedze in the Ho West District.
The event which was under the theme “Traditional festival, tool for unity and development, the role of citizens water project” was essentially celebrated to raise funds and to express gratitude to their ancestors for their blessings and unity.
This year’s festival was characterised by cultural display of drumming and singing of traditional songs.
Togbega Gabusu VII stated that without peace, development would not be assured if they do not prioritise peaceful co-existence.
He has, therefore called on the citizens of Kpedze to continue to support their chief to bring development to the area.
The District Chief Executive of Ho West, Mr Ernest Appau, enumerated the development projects completed by the Assembly in the areas of health, education and human development.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, called on the people for their dedication and support for him.
Togbega Atsridom V, Paramount Chief of Kpedze Traditional Area, in his welcome address expressed gratitude to his people for their support and pledged to continue to serve their interest always.
He urged the government to address the development challenges in their communities.
Among them were the upgrading of their polyclinic into a hospital and a skill training centre to solve youth unemployment in the area.
From Kafui Gati, Kpedze
News
GFP founder Akua Donkor passes on
Akua Donkor
The founder and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Madam Akua Donkor, has passed away.
She died at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital on Monday, October 28 at 72.
Reports gathered by The Spectator indicated that she was diagnosed with respiratory issues at the Nsawam Government Hospital and was referred to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital where she died.
Known for her spirited presence in Ghanaian politics, Akua Donkor was a staunch advocate for the rights of farmers and women.
Her bold and outspoken demeanour enabled her to capture public attention and significantly impact the grassroots communities she aimed to represent.
Throughout her political journey, she distinguished herself by running for the presidency multiple ti mes, demonstrating remarkable resilience despite financial challenges.
Akua Donkor was listed as the third candidate on the ballot for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
Her political career began with her election as the Assemblywoman for Herman in the Ashanti region, and she made her first bid for the presidency in 2012 as an independent candidate.
She was, however, disqualified by the Electoral Commission in 2012 and 2016 for the reason that she did not meet the eligibility requirements.
News
Stop using breast enhancing creams …they expose females to breast cancer
Mrs Enyonam Abiti making a presentation
Women have been cautioned to stop using of breast enhancing creams which is said to contain estrogen, predisposing them to the breast cancer disease.
Using such creams over time increases estrogen levels in patrons of such products thereby exposing them to the disease.
Estrogen is a type of sex hormone responsible for development and regulation of female reproductive system and secondary sex chart.
Mrs Enyonam Abiti, a medical officer at Madina Pentecost Hospital, said this at a day’s seminar and breast cancer awareness creation day at Sunyani in the Bono Region.
The programme, organised by the Bono Regional office of COCOBOD, forms part of activities to mark this year’s World Breast Cancer Day celebrations held every year in October.
Some staff of COCOBOD and women in cocoa farming used the opportunity to have their breast screened.
Mrs Abiti during a presentation revealed that one in every eight women was diagnosed of breast cancer while 1 from 1,000 men contract the disease.
She noted that early detection and regular screening was the surest way to salvage the situation.
She mentioned that habits such as excessive smoking and alcohol intake predisposes women to breast cancer.
Moreover, she added that people advanced in age, past history, past ovarian cancer case as well as young girls that menstruate early, among others stands the risk of contracting the disease.
The Bono Regional Administrator of COCOBOD, Michael Paddy Kwesi Asumanu, stated that the decision to organise the breast screening was to ensure that women in cocoa farming were healthy at all times to go about their farming activities in order to increase productivity.
“We don’t want a situation where our women in cocoa farming are infected with breast cancer disease to jeopardise the cocoa sector,” he said.
According him, the Regional Office of COCOBOD in partnership with the Bono Regional Teaching hospital would organised screening for about 4,000 women on October 31, 2024 at Goaso in the Ahafo Region.
The move, he said, was part of their corporate social responsibility towards women as the world mark breast cancer awareness creation this month.
Some of the women who spoke to The Spectator commended COCOBOD for the gesture and called on other institutions of state to emulate the example.
The organisers later held a float on the principal streets of Sunyani to create awareness on the breast cancer disease.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Sunyani
