News
Ghana Reads Initiative sensitises public to World Menstrual Hygiene Day
As part of activities to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Ghana Reads Initiative (GRI) has organised a programme to raise awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene management.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day creates a platform to challenge societal norms and promotes open discussions to encourage society to view menstruation as a natural and healthy process.
The programme, which was under the theme, “Breaking Barriers, Shaping Futures” was to sensitise the public to break the stigma surrounding menstruation as cultural beliefs have contributed to deep-rooted taboos and misconceptions leading to menstrual stigma which affects the well-being and development of women and girls.
In all, about 150 pupils selected from New Legon Complex School, New Hope School, Better New Home Academy, among others attended the programme.
A midwife, Ms. Elizabeth Ofosuaa Danquah spoke extensively on the menstrual cycle, especially how and when it happens, and what to eat during that period. She advised the girls not to be afraid as menstruation is part of the biological formation of a woman.
Ms. Danquah, appealed to the government to reduce taxes on sanitary pads since menstruation is part and parcel of the development of a woman.
A consultant for the Ga Mantse Foundation, Madam Naa Kwaale Dove admonished the girls to abstain from sex until marriage.
“Sex is for married couples so young ladies desist from the act if you are not married,” she stressed.
GRI believes that by addressing infrastructural gaps, ensuring that the government provides affordable and sustainable menstrual products, and empowering society through education and awareness on world menstrual hygiene day, Ghana will break the stigma attached to menstruation.
This will pave the way for a more inclusive and empowered society where women and girls can manage their menstrual hygiene with dignity and without hindrance.
By George Obeng Osei
News
We have built enough buffers to pay all DDEP obligations – Finance Minister Ato Forson
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has assured banks that the government has built sufficient financial buffers to meet all Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) obligations this year.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with over 22 Managing Directors of banks, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and restoring confidence in the financial sector.
“We do not intend to default,” Dr. Forson declared.
“All outstanding holdouts have been paid, and we have put in place the necessary buffers to ensure that every single DDEP obligation for this year will be met.”
The Minister explained that these buffers were created through fiscal discipline, strategic investment cuts, and prudent resource allocation.
As part of this approach, the government has reset goods and services expenditure to 2023 levels and is working to achieve a primary surplus of 1.5% to sustain economic stability.
He also announced plans to submit a fiscal responsibility rule to Parliament, which will set a debt ceiling that the Ministry of Finance cannot exceed.
This measure aims to prevent excessive borrowing and reinforce financial discipline.
Beyond ensuring timely DDEP payments, Dr Forson revealed that the government is taking deliberate steps to reduce reliance on the Treasury bill market.
By improving coordination between fiscal and monetary policies, the government aims to stabilize interest rates and ease liquidity pressures on the banking sector.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
News
NSA commences President Mahama’s ‘Nkoko Nkitikiti’ vision
President Mahama’s Vision in Progress as the National Service Authority has received 10,000 “Nkoko Nkitikiti” (Day Old Chicks ) earlier this morning.
Their ongoing 100,000 Poultry infrastructure will be receiving 10,000 Day Old Chicks every few weeks until they hit their 100,000 mark for Broilers at a site in NSA Demonstration farm in Accra.
NSA is working assiduously nationwide with partners to put the infrastructure in place for hundreds of thousands of Poultry Capacity for Broilers in clusters.
Egg production is also top of their agenda in separate projects. NSA is currently putting in place the infrastructure that will receive thousands of layers in President Mahama’s quest to bring down the cost of eggs.
They expect to expand their poultry capacity base in furtherance of President Mahama’s vision to reduce the importation of poultry products and create employment
