Gender
Stigmatisation of infertile male spouses also high
In Ghana, when couples are unable to have children of their own, it is the women who are mostly deemed to be stigmatised and ridiculed for their inability to have children.
However, according to experts, male stigmatisation is also high with theirs done subtly, causing them to take in all kinds of drugs and aphrodisiacs to boost their ability and to help them solve their problems.
Some are teased and mocked by their wives, relations and friends also give them several names depicting their problem.
The situation is causing some infertile men to lose their confidence, some have developed low self-esteem while others push the blame on their spouses or commit suicide.
In an exclusive interview on the issue with Dr Francis Vinkpenuba Wuobar, an Obstetrician Gynaecologist from the Eastern Regional Hospital, he explained that male stigmatisation was real, adding that it is causing a lot of sub fertile men to suffer emotionally and therefore called on the public to stop all forms of stigmatisation of infertile couples and rather show love and give them support.
He explained that “men take ridicule and stigma rather poorly than women and tend to internalise their emotions which cause them to lose their ego. The concept of not being a man enough is devastating.”
“Sometimes, some men who are deemed infertile in a bid to remain emotionally stable rather take the blame out unto their partners and this may cause them to avoid seeking help altogether,” he added.
He lamented that stigmatisation was one of the reasons some men refused to go to the hospital with their spouses to go through tests when a couple have problems with their fertility, adding that stigmatisation may worsen the problem or prolong it.
Dr Wuobar explained that child bearing involves a lot of process which can be interrupted and cause infertility, revealing that infertility in men can be as a result of dysfunctional sperm, prostrate, dysfunctional testes among others.
“Even at the production stage, an interruption can occur, it could be a problem with the testes which at a child stage may have not descended well into the scrotum or because of poor temperatures among others.”
He said it is only on a few occasions that some men may accept they have a problem attributing their reluctance to the stigma that they may go through.
The Obstetrician Gynaecologist called on the public to desist from subtly mocking men or infertile couples in general and rather encourage and support them to seek help.
He also encouraged such couples to live healthy lifestyles, prevent and treat infections promptly as well as seek medical attention early.
Kwabena (not real names) who has been married to his wife, Akua for over 30 years and lives in Tema told The Spectator that his wife left home and married another man because he was unable to impregnate her after he was diagnosed with low sperm count.
He said the situation made him lose his respect before his wife, friends and relatives who subtly stigmatised him and called him names.
He said he has been unmarried since and adopted two children he was taking care of. He, therefore, called on people to stop stigmatising men and rather encourage them to seek help when necessary, adding that wives are supposed to support their husbands.
Adu, also told the Spectator the he has been married for 15 years without a child, adding that it has not been a pleasant situation and called on the public to desist from stigmatising infertile couples.
“You feel it more when your colleague has delivered and you hear people tell him you are a man, it’s terrible.”
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Gender
Naa Ayele Osabu leads initiative to groom teenagers
Naa Ayele Osabu
An initiative to inspire the next generation, especially teenagers, by indulging them in after-school activities and programmes, is set to be launched on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
It would be launched by the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.
Dubbed, “Heal the world/Make it a better place”, the initiative undertaken by a youth based non-governmental organisation, would involve teenagers aged 11-17 years and selected from schools in the catchment area.
Speaking to The Spectator, Naa Ayele Osabu, the lead of the initiative, said it targeted kids in the Ga communities because there was a high prevalence rate of teenage pregnancy and school dropouts in those communities.
Additionally, she explained that with the introduction of the after-school programmes and activities such as karate, arts and crafts, the kids would have an experience that fostered discipline, sparked creativity, and develop their mental capacity to become more productive in their communities.
Furthermore, Naa Osabu said experts and professionals in respective programmes would be available to enrol participants and engage them.
The initiative, she said, was a long-term project to roll out in many other communities globally and therefore urged all stakeholders to support to ensure its successful implementation.
Naa Osabu, who owns Ayele Kelewele (a local food restaurant) has had one of the most challenging experiences as a child. “It’s during these tough times that I figured it would be best to make an impact in the society while the business is yet to blossom, hence this initiative.”
“Being a Ga girl, I know the challenges a lot of these young kids face on daily basis. This project will give these kids in the Ga community an opportunity that will, equip them with skills, spark their creativity and achieve the dreams they never thought will be possible,” she stated.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
Gender
50 women screened for breast cancer in Hohoe
Some participants at the event
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Forshes Africa Foundation, has organised a breast cancer awareness campaign in Hohoe, and educated residents on the need to ensure regular screening exercise for cancer for early detection and treatment.
The one-day cancer screening exercise, which was under the theme: “Early detection save lives”, saw 50 women screened for the disease, and those who were suspected of early development of cancer were referred to the Volta Regional Hospital at Hohoe for further medical examination.
Speaking at the programme, the Project Manager of Forshes Africa Foundation (FAF), Pastor Nana Jones Boame, stressed the need for women who were mostly victims of breast cancer to at all times take proactive measures to ensure they were safe from the disease.
Referencing Proverbs 27: 12 of the Bible which read “the prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty,” Pastor Boame emphasised the need to be cautious and take preventive actions to avoid harm.
He explained that in the context of breast cancer, early detection through screening was a wise and proactive step to potentially save lives through early diagnosis and treatment.
According to him, it was important for breast cancer survivors both male and females to share their experiences in order to offer hope to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, saying breast cancer also affects men but was only prevalent among women.
An Oncology Nurse Specialist at the Volta Regional Hospital, Mr Jonas Ntikie Njibe, explained that breast cancer simply occurred when cells in the breast grew uncontrollably, which could affect men and women but commonly found among women, therefore it was important for men to also screen and know their breast cancer status.
Mr Njibe said there was the need for people to adopt healthy lifestyles to reduce cancer, including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and eating balanced diet which were crucial means to reduce cancer in the society.
From Samuel Agbewode, Hohoe
