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Stakeholders pledge to champion sexual and reproductive health rights, women empowerment
• Some participants at the forum
Stakeholders at a round-table discussion held in Accra recently have pledged to champion issues of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and help in harnessing the talents of young girls and the youth in society.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) made this pledge after the consortiums of SRHR Alliance, the organisers, had in-depth discussion with some stakeholders championing adolescent health rights and women empowerment in the country.
Madam Linda Akweley Ocloo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Shai-Osuduku in the Greater Accra Region, highlighted the need to make policies that would help adolescents to build their capacities and also strengthen women to take up roles in the community to enable them to position themselves as virtuous and empowered women.
Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Member of Parliament for the Asuogyaman Constituency in the Eastern Region, appealed to the youth to continually exhibit good traits and urged the authorities to amend the law which would enable the youth to assume certain leadership positions due to age restrictions.
Mr Abednego Bandim, Member of Parliament for Bunkpurugu in the North East Region, said most youth were not able to articulate what they lacked to policymakers and politicians because “they do not have the courage to fight for what belongs to them.”
Other Parliamentarians present included Hon. Rita Sowah, MP for La Dadekotopon, Freda Prempeh, MP for Tano North constituency, Francisca Oteng Mensah, MP for Kwabre East.
Mr. Archibald Adams, The Executive Director of African Institute for Population and Development,in a presentation observed that Ghana was a signatory to many human rights conventions and human rights formed a fundamental principle to hold on to when advocating and claiming equality.
Mrs. Dorcas Manortey-Aggrey, the Executive Secretary of GH Alliance, said it was important for stakeholders to dialogue and strengthen capacities of parliamentarians, and partner organisations on gender transformative approaches.
According to her, the mandate of GH Alliance was to convene the works of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) state actors and individuals to ensure that the needs of the adolescents were prioritised.
“Unplanned pregnancies, child marriage, sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices to some women can be dealt with when parliamentarians pass bills to put a stop to the aforementioned practices” she noted.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
News
GBBF assistant treasurer, Aurora Commodore-Toppar eyes GOC Treasure slot at Elective Congress on Saturday
The Assistant treasurer of the Ghana Basketball Federation (GBBF), Madam Aurora Commodore-Toppar, has set her sights on becoming the next assistant treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) at the upcoming Elective Congress on Saturday.
The daughter of the former Chief Executive Officer of Accra Hearts of Oak, Mr. Emmanuel Martey Commodore-Mensah, will be vying for the position against Bernard Quartey of the Ghana Boxing Federation and Edward Patrick Nii Lante Banerman of the Handball Association of Ghana.
Having had her nomination approved by the GOC’s Electoral Commission, the well-seasoned banker, with over 15 years of rich working experience, believes she is well-suited and positioned to help structure the finances of this esteemed organisation.
In a chat with Spectator Sports, the captain of the bronze-winning 2024 University of Ghana basketball team at the 11th African University Games in Zaire, Nigeria, revealed her commitment to effective and accurate financial management, growth, and development of all associated sports federations.
She said, “I am committed to the growth of the GOC, and I want to offer my financial knowledge to aid in ensuring that the GOC operates with the highest standards of financial governance and set-up.”
According to her, the mission is to help promote the GOC’s agenda widely, and having served for over two decades in sports—especially basketball—in various capacities and roles, she believes this experience will help protect the GOC’s finances.
“If elected as assistant treasurer, I will do my utmost, together with the treasurer, to manage the GOC’s finances, including accounting and financial reporting among others,” she added.
According to her, “Accurate financial record-keeping has been a problem across the board; I will help eradicate this issue.”
Aurora Commodore-Toppar stands for transparency, hard work, and an inclusive work culture, she further added.
The former Aburi Girls’ Secondary School basketball team captain has played pivotal roles in improving sports in the country—especially basketball—including being a member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2023 Africa Games, an LOC member for the recently concluded Hoop Rave SHS competition, a project lead for FIBA’s “Her World, Her Rules” initiative, chair for the 2024 Fetu Afahye Basketball Tournament, and founder of the Stomp De Yard Basketball Tournament, among others.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
News
113 Cardinals hold 3rd General Congregation in Rome
The 113 Cardinals present in Rome held the third General Congregation on Thursday morning, and announced who will deliver the two pre-conclave meditations.
The Cardinals decided that Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández will celebrate the Mass on the sixth day of the Novemdiales, instead of Cardinal Kevin Farrell.
They agreed that Fr. Donato Ogliari, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls, will deliver the first meditation on Monday, and that Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher Emeritus of the Papal Household, will deliver the second meditation at the beginning of the conclave, whose starting date has not yet been decided.
The Cardinals began a conversation about the Church and the world, deciding to hold the next General Congregation on Friday morning at 9:00 AM.
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told journalists that 61,000 people have paid their respects to the late Pope Francis as of 1:00 PM on Thursday, adding that St. Peter’s Basilica should close at midnight on Thursday, unless large crowds are still queuing to enter.
Following the Pope’s funeral on Saturday, April 26, a Rosary will be held in front of the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Saturday at 9:00 PM.
Mr. Bruni said the burial service for Pope Francis will take place in private.
Starting the morning of Sunday, April 27, the faithful may begin to visit the tomb of Pope Francis at the Marian Basilica.
