News
Rare act: Female pallbearers at Tafi Agome
Though issues pertaining to women empowerment have had positive impact, the women of Tafi Agome in the Afadjato South District of the Volta Region, have taken a bold step to do the best of what men can do.
This gesture, according to the women of Tafi Agome was the last respect they could accord a female who died in her youthful age.
These women carry the mortal remains of their colleagues from the church to the cemetery.
“We the women feel delighted carrying the casket of our colleague because the deceased was one of us in social life and it is our responsibility to bid her farewell in a manner that we deem appropriate”.
These were the words of the late Madam Helen Honu, the Community Female Youth leader, who a decade ago spearheaded the idea of women carrying the casket of their kind to the cemetery.
Six women with the aid of pads on their heads, carried the coffin of the late Ms Mavis Edzidor to the cemetery on Saturday, February 12, 2022, and it was a delight to watch. They were assisted by another set of women when the first set became exhausted.
Mrs Gladys Bobi Edzidor, an elderly woman and an indigene, explained that this last respect was accorded deceased females between 18 and over 50 years.
She added that women were not responsible for carrying the corpse from the mortuary to the house, but only featured when all was set to move it to the cemetery for interment.
Mrs Edzidor, however, explained that the women’s group was not responsible for carrying the mortal remains of elderly women of the town.
Mr Paul Edzidor, a former staff of the New Times Corporation and the Stool Father of Edeveme Clan of Tafi Agome, also said that men of the town were full of praise for the performance of the gallant women. He was optimistic that women from the surrounding towns and beyond would emulate Tafi Agome women.
In a related development, the mortal remains of the late Mr Gilbert Bribi, a Graphic Designer and a former staff of New Times Corporation, Editorial Department, were laid to rest at Tafi Agome on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
By Raymond Kyekye
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
