News
Effect of FGM: ‘New born babies can be deprived of oxygen during delivery’
● Dr Seyram Wordui
Newborns of mothers who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) risk experiencing complications of foetal distress which occurs when the foetus does not receive enough oxygen.
(FGM involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons).
The situation of foetal distress usually happens in cases of mothers who have developed scars from the FGM practice therefore making it difficult for the scar tissues to stretch for babies to have a smooth passage through the vaginal carnal during the process of delivery.
A Paediatrician, Dr Seyram Wordui disclosed this in an interaction with The Spectator last Saturday at Tema and explained that when babies were deprived of oxygen under such circumstances, they could among other things, become asphyxiated which could result in complications like cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is a congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture and is usually due to abnormal brain development often before birth but could also occur at birth or in early infancy.
Birth asphyxia happens also when a baby’s brain and other organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients before, during or right after birth and could lead to unconsciousness, suffocation or even death.
Dr Wordui who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Babychildandco described FGM as a serious threat to the lives of babies be they male or female and that the practice was not only a diservice to women but babies too.
She said the fact that some communities still encouraged FGM in some parts of Ghana was disheartening and a serious cause for worry as a Paediatrician because some of the victims even as children were affected physically and mentally and had to live with the trauma and pain for the rest of their lives.
She said ignorance of the practice by persons engaged in it posed a threat to the lives of children in several ways with serious consequences and so all well meaning people must speak strongly against it.
Dr Wordui mentioned that some of the effects of the FGM included bleeding that could lead to death which especially happened because measures were not put in place to address such cases.
She said infections from use of non-sterile instruments and poor wound management were also a threat to lives of victims of FGM because it spread infections.
“These infections could lead to sepsis and death. Notable infections are bacterial infections, Hepatitis C and HIV” she disclosed.
She also mentioned Post Traumatic Stress as some of the disadvantages of FGM and therefore advised parents to desist from taking their children through the practice.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
News
National Service Authority to Introduce Military Training
Management of the National Service Authority, yesterday, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, held talks with the Military High Command towards the implementation of the National Service Emergency Response Readiness Programme (NSERRP).
When implemented, this will reflect His Excellency the President’s commitment towards the implementation of a short military training for National Service Personnel (NSPs) as planned efforts to instill discipline, nationalism and physical fitness among Ghanaian graduates.
The President shared this position during his maiden State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday February 27, 2025.
At yesterday ’s meeting, the Director-General, Mr. Felix Gyamfi reiterated the need for all personnel to undergo basic military drills and orientation as part of orienting the youth to embrace national development.
“The introduction of this military training is a step in the right direction and must be embraced by all and sundry as one of the indicators for resetting the country, particularly the youth,” he commented.
On his part, Brigadier General Amoah-Boakye assured the Authority of their willingness to provide the requisite training for personnel when the Programme officially commences.
In all, personnel will receive up to two months of composite basic military drills starting 3rd August, 2025.
News
Ghana Tourism Authority acts on concerns of minors allegedly taken to Hotel in Accra New Town.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has taken swift action following reports circulating on social media regarding an incident involving minors allegedly taken to a hotel in Accra New Town.
The case has been formally reported to the Nima Division of the Ghana Police Service for investigation.
In line with their mandate to ensure safety and compliance in the tourism and hospitality sector, our CEO Mrs.Maame Efua Houadjeto delegated a team from the GTA Head Office, Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, Deputy CEO, Special Duties and Mr Ekow Sampson, Deputy CEO, Operations who joined the Greater Accra Regional Director, Ms. Roberta Dawson-Amoah, and the Deputy Director of Marketing, Ms. Clara Nketiah, to visit the said facility.
The objective was to verify the facts on the ground and take necessary regulatory action.
They commended the Ghana Police Service for their co-operation and continued support in the ongoing investigation.
Additionally, the team inspected Royal Dede Beach Resort, which has been converted into a hostel under new management without official notification to the Ghana Tourism Authority.
The team discovered that the hostel’s operations were not in compliance with the L. I 2239. Meanwhile the operator has been directed to the Standards and Quality Assurance Department of the Authority for the necessary regulation.
“We remind all accommodation operators that the Tourism(Registration and Licensing of Accommodation) Regulations, 2016 (L.I. 2239) mandates every facility to register and obtain a license from the GTA before commencing operations.
This regulation ensures quality, safety, and compliance across the industry,” they noted.
The GTA they said, remains committed to safeguarding the public and upholding the highest standards in the hospitality sector and urged
the public to report suspicious or non-compliant facilities to the nearest GTA office.
