News
UG Centre for Gender Studies holds forum
Dr Adolf Awuku Bekoe (second left) speaking at the event
An Engineering student at the University of Ghana, Legon Mrs Anna-Marie Oyan, has appealed to the University to pay attention to derogatory remarks that some lecturers make at students, especially female students, in order to make the University “a gender-safe”institution.
She believes sexist comments could affect female students negatively hence the need to treat such “loose utterances” with the contempt it deserves.
Mrs Anna-Marie Oyan was speaking at a Gender Sensitisation programme last Friday organised by the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) and Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT).
She was part of panellists who spoke at the event on the theme; “Creating a Gender Equitable University Community: Perspectives of Students.”
A Research Fellow at CEGENSA, Dr Abena Kyere, also speaking at the event, said the University of Ghana, being the premier tertiary institution to set up a gender centre, had provided equal opportunity for all category of students.
“We are conscious of the increasing population at the university and we are able to influence others to be gender sensitive within our societies to reflect our cultural norms and values,” she said.
She noted that the University’s Gender Policy addressed a wide range of issues, therefore, students should approach the centre whenever they encountered any misconduct by colleagues, lecturers or any members of the university community.
Highlighting other concerns to be addressed, Mrs Beatrice Boamah, General Secretary of the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) also urged the University to raise awareness on mental health issues in addition to the existing career and counselling centre.
Another panellist, Dr Adolf Awuku Bekoe, noted that despite the strides the University was making, much needed to be done in relation to the lighting system on campus.
“Between the School of Public Health and Sarbah Hall, the lighting system is poor. There are many dark alleys as well which need prompt attention,” he said.
He again tasked students to empower themselves and take advantage of the numerous opportunities the University presented to them.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs Eugenia Selasie Seadey, stated that the introduction of an Affirmative Action Policy at the student level had helped increase the enrollment of females, especially in male dominated programmes.
She lauded student activists and organisations for their advocacy in ensuring gender equity at the university.
A Senior Programme Officer, Mrs Cynthia Sunu, took the students through the role of NETRIGHT in championing Women’s Rights.
By Yunusah Essandoh
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
