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Promoting education among children: Give boys, girls equal opportunities – Otublohum Manye advises
Naa Densua V
The newly enstooled Queen mother of Otublohum in Ga Mashie, Accra, Naa Densua V, has expressed concern about the seeming disregard for boys in the quest to promote ‘girl child education’.
Speaking after her enstoolment on Friday, Naa Densua V said it appeared boys were being neglected while the focus had turned to the girls.
“We need to give both boys and girls equal opportunities to be educated. There are a lot of boys in the community who are not in school and no one cares; the fact that we want our girls too in school doesn’t mean it should be to the disadvantage of the boys.
“Let’s give all of them the same opportunities and a level playing field. Education is a right for all and not just girls,” she stressed.
In her capacity as Queen mother of Otublohum, her first task would be to ensure that boys and girls in the community received the same attention as far as education was concerned.
She attributed the development to a popular saying by a Ghanaian scholar, Dr James Emmanuel Kwegyir-Aggrey, which alludes that “if you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a family.”
She pledged to work with the chiefs, elders and people of Otublohum to foster development in the area and beyond.
“We need to remain united and form a strong bond that would help us progress as a community,” she said.
Naa Densua V, known in private life as, Violet Eve Naa Adukwei Bruce Vanderpuye, was installed following the demise of the late Queen mother of the area, Naa Densua IV, who passed on seven years ago.
She swore an oath of allegiance to the chiefs and people of Otublohum and promised to be available anytime she was called upon.
The Head of Family of the Naa Densua We, Nii Okanta Vandepuye, who administered the oath, said they were pleased to have a Queen mother that had the progress of the people at heart.
“The swearing of the oath of allegiance is a reminder to her that she needs to serve the family. If she is called upon at any time and she fails to respond, that would mean she is not ready to serve her people.”
“It is our hope that she would abide by the obligations. We expect her to work hard, unite the family, and together we can achieve our developmental goals,” he stated.
By Michael D. Abayateye
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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.
