News
GFGF begins teenage pregnancy prevention project in Wassa Fiase
• Nana Kunadjoa II (middle) addressing participants with some members of the Foundation
The Nana Abena Kunadjoa II Foundation has begun stakeholders’ engagement at Kyekyewere in the Prestea- Huni Valley Municipality to reduce teenage pregnancies in the WassaFiase Traditional area of the Western Region.
The five-year teenage pregnancy prevention project, supported by Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF), is being implemented in collaboration with queens, Department of Social Welfare and Community Development and Ghana Education Service (GES), will be held in communities including Benso, Daboase, Bonsawere and Tarkwa -Nsuaem.
Some critical issues of the project are to reduce early sex life among the adolescents, save vulnerable girls from being exploited sexually by men, expose young girls to sexual reproductive issues and address lack of parental responsibilities at WassaFiase.
Speaking to queens, parents and students at Kyekyewere last Friday, Founder of the foundation, Nana AbenaKunadjoa II, said she was saddened by the experiences shared by children regarding their reproductive health and welfare, and reiterated that curbing teenage pregnancies was big task for stakeholders.
She stated that the foundation was ready to partner and share its vision of supporting the less privileged and also assist young girls to aspire and fulfil their future dreams.
“I will urge all queens to organise their communities and we are ready to come over and hold discussions with parents and young ones. We are ready for this project and we’ll not relent. This project is dear to my heart; It’s our target to reduce teenage pregnancies in WassaFiase,” Nana Kunadjoa stressed.
She stated that children were a blessing to parents not a burden on society.
Nana AmaSaarah, queen of Subri also blamed husbands for some of the ordeals children went through and suggested those who fall short should be sanctioned and be made examples to others in society.
She told the students “You must also be humble and be an example to others in future. You have the opportunity to excel and build your future. Avoid boy friendships which will do you no good.” she added.
The Girl Child Education Officer at GES Tarkwa, Madam GiftyEfuaNyinaku, told the participants to take the discussions on teenage pregnancies serious due to its harm to students’ education, health and future.
Teenage pregnancies, she said, were an affront to development and that, the pregnant girl child could be anaemic, with baby becoming prematured, deformed and may die.
MsNyinaku stressed “You may end up having urinary tract infections, incur heavy costs in medical care, stop school, get traumatised and stigmatised or may experience perinatal deaths and also have sexual transmitted infections .”
She said, good communication between parents and children especially young girls was critical to appreciate the needs and worries and also address pressing issues including provision of sanitary pads.
With this, Ms Nyinaku said, the girls would gain the confidence of parents and avoid peers for information which might be detrimental to their wellbeing.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Kyekyewere
News
‘Nipahiamoa’ residents cry for basic social amenities
Residents of a farming community in the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region are living under conditions that directly reflect or connote the name of the township, Nipahiamoa.
The name of the town, Nipahiamoa, when translated directly means ‘humans need help.’
Despite the contribution in ensuring there is sufficient food in not only the region but the country at large, Nipahiamoa lacks basic social amenities to make life enjoyable after their farming activities.
water for the people of Nipahiamoa
According to some of the members of the community that The Spectator spoke to during a visit to the area, they lacked basic needs such as potable water, health post, among others.
This, they claimed, was impacting negatively on their general wellbeing and appealed to authorities to come to their aid.
The Unit Committee chairman of Nipahiamoa, Mr James Najohnbo, told this paper on Thursday that successive governments have neglected the town over the years.
“It is the reason we are where we are today in this era of development. Some people poke fun that our condition is a reflection of the name of the town but I don’t believe that. We have been neglected by governments over the years. There are no government initiatives here,” he explained.
The community, inhabited by over one thousand people, mostly settlers, is located on the Techiman-Kintampo stretch of the Trans-ECOWAS highway which connect from Tema to Mali.
Mr Najohnbo, who conducted this reporter around, revealed that a borehole constructed for the community by the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Major Derrick Oduro, had since broke down, compelling the people to turn to the Bono manso waterfalls which they trek several kilometres for their source of water.
Mr Najohnbo stated that their children are not left out in this challenges as they had to trek to either Manso or Dweneho, about two kilometres to access healthcare and education.
He added that a wooden structure constructed in 1994 currently serves as the only primary school for the community.
“Our kids had to trek several kilometres to Manso to attend school which come at cost to most parents.”
A 30-year old hairdresser, Rebecca Dibenpong, also appealed to authorities to come up with income generating activities to boost economic lives of the people.
She alleged that politicians often claimed they don’t have enough numbers to attract development, hence such initiatives were directed to bigger communities.
Like the name suggest, Nipahiamoa, the community needs urgent attention to make life meaningful for the people who contribute to the national economy by way of their farming activities.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Nipahiamoa
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
