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Menstruation is natural, normal phase of life …School children told on Menstrual Hygiene Day
Naa Amaley Tesaa (I) addressing the audience
Four institutions have collaborated to mark this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day with a short celebration at the Wesley Methodist Cathedral in Accra.
These are the Ga Mantse Foundation, Adwinsa Publications and the Father Campell SVD Foundation under the auspices of His Royal Majesty (HRM) King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse and President of the Ga Traditional Council.
It was celebrated under the theme ‘Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030.’
The Day, which falls on May 28, is to break taboos and increase public understanding of the value of proper management of menstrual hygiene (MHM).
In a speech delivered on behalf of the Ga Mantse, Queen Mother Naa Ameley Tesaa I of the Teiko Tsuru We Abola emphasised that menstruation is a normal and natural part of life and should never be a barrier to one’s goals, aspirations, or education. She also advised the young girls to accept this stage of life with dignity.
She added that the Ga Mantse Foundation was dedicated to raising awareness and education to empower young women and girls.
“I want to urge each and every one of you to learn about menstrual hygiene, support one another and advocate for gender equality. Your understanding and support will pave the way for a healthier and well informed community,” she said.
Dr. Evelyn Tawiah, a retired medical professional, said that eradicating the stigma associated with menstruation was imperative, and that menstrual hygiene day should be observed.
“It is time to make menstruation normal so that it will not be like when one is menstruating, she cannot go to school or go somewhere,” the speaker continued, adding that it was time to normalise menstruation as a part of daily life.
According to Ms. Joyce Akyere Adu, a representative of Adwinsa Publications, a company that supports children’s education, menstruation was taboo in the community and rarely discussed.
She added that the company has been sponsoring such programmes for the past six years and felt compelled to support the celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day.
She urged young people, parents in particular, to stay in strong relationships with their children and teach them self-care techniques instead of allowing their wards to feel that having a period is a social taboo.
Offering her perspective, Ms. Heritage 2023 Francisca Agama advised the teenagers on self-care, saying, “If you do not like bathing, ensure to bathe at least twice in a day when you are menstruating.”
She also reminded them to properly dispose of their used pads by packing them in a polythene bag rather than flushing them down the toilet.
She advised the young girls to get enough of exercise, eat a lot of fruits, drink lots of water, and get adequate sleep when they experience menstrual cramps.
By Elizabeth Agyeibea Ackon
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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.
