News
Godwin Avenorgbo, ‘The Grandmaster’, shares his 50-year-old marriage life
Mr and Mrs Avenorgbo posing for the camera after 50 years of marriage
For many married youth, one of their major challenges has always been who does what in a union.
While some men are of the view that housekeeping chores are strictly a wife’s duty and wouldn’t even lift a finger to help, some wives, on the other hand, have taken an entrenched position when it comes to paying bills of any form, namely utility bills, school fees and rent, among others.
However, Mr. Godwin Avenorgbo, a renowned media personality also known as “The Grandmaster”, has a contrary view, which he shared with The Spectator on his 50th marriage anniversary with his wife Aimee on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
“You will be surprised to know the things I have done on a daily basis at home for 50 years without a break. Apart from carrying a baby in the womb, I do everything a woman does at home, including daily house cleaning and cooking,” he said.
The retired broadcaster said that for every marriage to be successful there was the need for couples to support each other and fill in gaps that the other spouse was not readily available to fill.
“There should be nothing like this is a woman’s role, and that is a man’s role…from the outdoor to the kitchen through the living room to the bedroom and all,” he said.
He said marriages that had travelled so many years had not been an easy journey.
Mr. Avenorgbo said the success of a marriage was a direct result of shared responsibility in every activity that added to the value of the family.
He admitted that his marriage had gone through all weathers, all seasons, downhill and uphill, but in all, it had been God, and he was very thankful to Him.
“I have a reason to count my blessings and name them one by one so we can give all the glory to Jehovah,” he said.
The marriage between Mr. and Mrs. Avenorgbo, which has produced three children made up of two sons, Chester and Jerry, and a daughter, Cleopatra, has not been an easy journey and a long story, but “my family is beautiful and blessed.”
He observed that it was uncommon to have people share their experiences in marriage, which he described as a journey with many hills and valleys, because of the fear of discouraging others from embarking on the journey. “But it can be done, and done well,” he encouraged.
Mr. Avenorgbo advised people who have the intention of getting married not to focus on physical appearances.
He explained that this was because “those things shift to the background or die as quickly as the first child is born and the focus of the husband and wife becomes more concentrated on the well-being of the child, then later education and all.”
He advised that attitude, commitment, and a hands-on approach to dealing with the basic needs of the family, should be a priority because “those are the areas in which men neglect their roles thus making women feel overburdened”.
Reminiscing the day of marriage, he said, “I was credited with eloquence of thoughtfulness and presence of mind, but the day I said “I do”, I felt so nervous that the officiating Minister had to ask me in a teasing manner, “can we hear the radio voice louder, please?” and everyone laughed, so I had to do so a second time as if I had then rehearsed a radio script properly under the supervision of the Great John Hammond.”
The couple’s children, Chester Mawuli, is a journalist, banker, and businessman; Jerry Kwashie, a lawyer; and Cleopatra Enyo, an international travel expert and French and English specialist.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
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
