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Funeral jams, cause of teenage pregnancy …Chief calls for ban
● Some girls are unable to identify the men who got them pregnant
The Chief of Kulpieniin the Nadowli Kaleo District of the Upper West Region, NaaKunzozolomaDanlaabu I has said that funeral jams popularly known as “dance” was the cause of teenage pregnancies and promiscuity among young people in the area.
He explained that the jams mostly took place funerals in the various communities where huge speakers were mounted to amplify songs played by disc jockeys from the evening of the last day of the funeral after the mourners had left, till mid night or dawn of the next day.
He said many of the teenagers moved from one community to the other to attend such events where they danced their hearts out, mingled with the opposite sex and indulged in excessive drinking of alcohol led to sexual immorality and its concomitant pregnancies.
The chief stated this during a meeting on Sexual and Gender-based Violence at Kpaala community in the Kulpieni Electoral Area by the Department of Gender with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
NaaDanlaabu I who was worried about the issue said there was the need to ban those jams in the area but that would need the consensus of all chiefs in the communities to ensure that it was bound in all areas to prevent the young from moving from one area to the other in search of where the dance was taking place.
“During the main funerals, we hardly see young people around but when it is time for the dance, you see them everywhere around; they even bring new people from other areas on board”, he said.
He stated that when the music began to play, the young ones behaved like they were plugged to a source of electrical power and danced till they were worn out whilst others drank liquor or smoked.
The Chief stated that some of the teenagers had information about where the next funeral dance was taking place and moved to that area even when it was out of their jurisdiction and said they prepared adequately for such events in order to meet new partners to hook up with.
“It is not surprising, therefore, that we have so many teenage pregnancy cases in the area and some of the girls are not even able to identify the men that got them pregnant; we need to push for sexual responsibility among our youth and if it means regulating such funeral activities, we will”, he stressed.
He called for a consensus building between himself and the other chiefs on how to adequately ban funeral jams in and around the traditional area to prevent the youth from patronising the event in areas where it had not been banned.
Adding her voice, the Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Ms Charity Batuurecharged the chiefs to engage in a meaningful dialogue on the issue to know how best they could deal with the menace.
She explained that it was necessary for the parents to protect their children, particularly females from ruffians who would impregnate them and abandon them or cause them to get married early when they were not ready.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Kpaala
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23
Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.
The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.
The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.
It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.
The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.
Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.
CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.
Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.
In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.
He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.
