News
Use innate gifts to lure partners – women advised
Mrs Joycleyn Adii, Regional Director, Department of Gender
The Bono Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Joycelyn Adii has urged women to make use of their innate gifts or skills such as respect, pampering and ‘sweet talk’ to lure their partners to support them in household chores and other responsibilities.
These, she said, would soften the hearts of their partners to willingly offer them the needed assistance at home
“Most men are willing to help their partners when they are shown respect, and pampered and not made to feel they are obliged to do so,” she said.
Mrs Adii was speaking at a community dialogue on women’s participation in decision making at the household and community levels at Yawhima, near Sunyani in the Bono Region on Saturday.
The programme, organised by the Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in partnership with the Department of Gender with support from Plan Ghana International under its WISE Project intended to ensure more women play key roles in the development of communities at the local level
It also sought to deepen the knowledge and understanding of men, and community members on women’s rights and the benefits in supporting women’s economic and social empowerment drives.
About 15 communities with an estimated number of 1,500 men and women in the Sunyani Municipality have been targeted to benefit from the four-year programme.
Some of the communities are Nkrankrom, Yawhima, Nkrankese, Watchman, and Nwanwasua among others.
The Bono Regional Director of Gender appealed to men to consider the views and opinions of their partners and children in the decision making process to ensure peace and harmony in the home.
This, she said, has the potential to diffuse tension and conflicts arising from women exclusion and building a better society for all.
Nana Abena Saah, the Krontihemaa of Yawhima commended the organisers of the programme, saying it would go a long way to build the community.
She urged women to maintain good personal hygiene at all times to promote their health and look presentable to their husbands.
A 50-year-old farmer, Godwin Odame urged men to be more responsible by working hard to provide the needs of their families and make the home lively at all times.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Yawhima
News
Gaming Commission warns operators against underage betting
The Gaming Commission of Ghana has warned gaming operators involved in underage betting to desist from it.
The Commission also said such facilities will be closed down if it continues in the illegality.
“There is the need to pay attention to underage gambling because the children are our future,” he added.
Acting Gaming Commissioner of Ghana, Emmanuel Quainoo said this in Accra when he paid a courtesy call on the Editor and Acting Editor of The Spectator and Ghanaian Times newspapers, respectively.
The call was part of the Acting Commissioner’s familiarisation tour to some media houses and to build partnerships with them.
He said the mandate of the commission was to regulate the activities of game operators and ensure they conform to the law.
The Acting Gaming Commissioner said the commission has been receiving calls on illegal and underage gambling, a situation he said will need the assistance of the media in clamping down such operators.
He mentioned that the commission has so far licensed 55 gaming operators across the country.
He explained that as of January 2025 to date, 23 casinos, 15 Sport betting, two route operators and five remote interactive games have been licensed.
He mentioned that other operators have put in applications while the rest have paid part of their license fees.
He said the commission was hoping to expand their operations and be visible in all regions across the country.
The Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahman said the rate at which the youth in the Zongo community are involved in betting was alarming.
Alhaji Abdul-Rahman called on the Gaming Commission to intensify their education in schools, especially in the zongo communities while urging them to clamp down on illegal operators.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N.M. Quaittoo thanked the Commission for the visit, saying “we are willing to partner and support you.”
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Director, Human Resource and Administration, Ms Jennifer Puplampu, Deputy Director, Finance Mr Nana Kwame Sekyi Dadzie and Head of Corporate Affairs Ms Beatrice Baiden.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
News
KNUST mourns death of 3 students
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is grappling with the devastating loss of two students, Akosuah Owusuaa and Bertha Kookale Hammond, who passed away in separate incidents on March 9, 2025.
The university community is still reeling in shock as details of the incidents are scarce, leaving many to read meanings into the loss of these young lives.
Akosuah, a third-year Forest Resource Technology student, was said to have fallen ill before her passing.
Bertha, a final-year English student, also passed away on the same day, with the cause of her death still unknown.
The Association of Students of English, KNUST, released a statement announcing Bertha’s passing, describing her as a “dedicated and talented student” who will be deeply missed.
“It is with great sorrow that we write to you regarding the devastating loss of one of our very own, Bertha Kookale Hammond, a final-year student of English who has passed away, leaving behind a gaping void that cannot be filled.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to Bertha’s family, her friends, and loved ones during this agonising moment. May we find comfort in the memories of her bright smile and sheer enthusiasm.”
These recent deaths come on the heels of a similar incident involving a final-year Biological Sciences student, Joana Deladem Yabani, whose lifeless body was found near the KNUST Disability and Rehabilitation Centre on February 27, 2025.
The cause of death is still under investigation, with initial police examination revealing marks of violence on her body.
CCTV footage analysis led to the arrest of a suspect, Daniel Tuffuor, a 21-year-old fellow student, and reportedly Joana’s boyfriend, the same day.
Tuffuor was remanded and is set to appear in court again on March 17, 2025.
The KNUST community is mourning the loss of these young lives, and the university is working closely with the authorities to ensure that justice was served.
From Kingsley E.Hope,
Kumasi
