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Focus on education not dressing, makeup
Nana Ogyedom Ama Tsetsewa I
The Osumpahen of Gomoa Akyempin Traditional Council, Nana Ogyedom Ama Tsetsewa I, has asked women to pursue education and skills learning to put value on themselves.
In her view, women were gradually relegating issues about their education, skills learning and other ways of putting value on themselves to the background and rather seemed to be focusing on dressing well to look good.
“Much as a good appearance is not bad in itself, it was gradually becoming the most important thing in the life of many ladies, relegating other ways of adding value to themselves to the background,” she claimed.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator on Tuesday, Nana Tsetsewa I said “Enough of the dressing and makeup. Every woman must strive to add intellectual value or have a skill to complement her looks.”
“Now when you engage many young ladies in a conversation, they appear more concerned about wearing makeup, beautiful dresses and pair of shoes. It is so disappointing that knowledge acquisition has become secondary,” she said.
Doubling as the Mankrado of Gomoa Oguan and also an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioner, she said women play critical role in the society, and as the first person a child comes into contact with, it was good to add quality to her life so that she could pass on same.
Nana Tsetsewa I said the great women recognised in the history of Ghana were not celebrated because of their biological or physical appearance, but because of their intellectual attraction or empowerment and impact on society.
She said if women did not try harder as a group or individuals to add value to themselves, females would have only a handful of voices to represent them when it comes to making important decisions.
She said that women had all it took to make an impact on fields such as security, engineering, religion, tradition, media, academia, health, among others and urged them to go all out for it.
“Some women have paved the way to show that we can excel wherever we find ourselves. Mrs Gifty Afenyi Dadzie excelled in the Ghanaian media. So was American Talk Show hostess, Oprah Winfrey, in her field. In politics, former Liberian President, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, showed her prowess. Warrior queen mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Empire, Yaa Asantewaa, also made an impact on the traditional landscape.”
“If a woman empowers herself, she could stand up for herself and others and so unhealthy practices such as widowhood rites, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and abuse of many forms would be reduced,” she said.
In reference to the axiom “behind every successful man, there is a woman”, she stated that role can be performed in several capacities as wives, mothers, sisters or daughters, adding that “in all of them, women still play roles to inspire greatness in men to make the world a better place”.
She encouraged the youth to invest most of their time and energy in education, skills training or any other thing that would make them responsible in future.
Nana Ogyedom Tsetsewa I also advised healthy lifestyles and good eating habits to ensure good health because health is wealth.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
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.
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Youth urged to take proactive stance on ozone depletion
•Mr Joseph Amankwah, first counting from, some officials from EPA and UNDP in group picture with the student
Mr Joseph Amankwah, the Director of Ozone Layer and Climate Change at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has urged the youth to take a proactive stance on issues related to ozone depletion, emphasising that their future would be most affected by its consequences.
Speaking during a student engagement event at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS) in Koforidua, he highlighted the critical role young people played in tackling climate-related challenges.
Mr Amankwah explained that human activities, such as the use of certain chemicals, were significantly contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and driving climate change.
He said it was important to educate the youth on these issues, encouraging them to share this knowledge with their families to foster a broader understanding and active participation in climate action.
He urged the education sector to integrate lessons on the ozone layer, the causes of its depletion, and its links to climate change into the curriculum.
The event, organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was designed to foster environmental awareness and promote a sense of responsibility among young people.
Mr Amankwah noted that ozone layer depletion was affecting everyone, including children, as it alters weather patterns and threatens the natural environment.
He highlighted the need for young people to develop ‘green skills’ to adapt to the challenges of climate change and to understand ways to combat it.
He added that World Ozone Day, observed every September, would focus on youth engagement in environmental issues, to help them understand the long-term consequences of ozone depletion and climate change.
Mr Amankwah also discussed the harmful impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a major chemical contributor to ozone depletion.
He explained that household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners were common sources of CFC emissions in Ghana.
Many uncertified technicians work on these appliances, often releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere due to improper handling, he noted.
To address this, he urged appliance repairers to obtain proper certification and training, emphasising that unqualified repairs not only harm the environment but also endangered public health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman,
Koforidua
