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World Menstrual Hygiene Day
Ghana Reads Initiative Sensitises Public On World Menstrual Hygiene Day
As part of activities to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Ghana Reads Initiative (GRI) has organised a programme to raise awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene management.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day creates a platform to challenge societal norms and promotes open discussions to encourage society to view menstruation as a natural and healthy process.
The programme, which was under the theme, “Breaking Barriers, Shaping Futures” was to sensitive the public to break the stigma surrounding menstruation as cultural beliefs have contributed to deep-rooted taboos and misconceptions leading to menstrual stigma which affects the well-being and development of women and girls.
In all, about 150 pupils were selected from New Legon Complex School, New Hope School, Better New Home Academy, among others attended the programme.
A midwife, Ms. Elizabeth OfosuaaDanquah spoke extensively on the menstrual cycle, especially how and when it happens, and what to eat during that period. She advised the girls not to be afraid as menstruation is part of the biological formation of a woman.
Ms. Danquah, appealed to the government to reduce taxes on sanitary pads since menstruation is part and parcel of the development of a woman.
A consultant for the Ga Mantse Foundation, Madam NaaKwaale Dove admonished the girls to abstain from sex until marriage.
“Sex is for married couples so young ladies desist from the act if you are not married,” she stressed.
GRI believes that by addressing infrastructural gaps, ensuring that the government provides affordable and sustainable menstrual products, and empowering society through education and awareness on world menstrual hygiene day, Ghana will break the stigma attached to menstruation so as to view as a natural and healthy part of a woman’s life.
This will pave the way for a more inclusive and empowered society where women and girls can manage their menstrual hygiene with dignity and without hindrance.
By George Obeng Osei
News
NTC staff demonstrate prowess in fire fighting
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Tuesday held a sensitisation workshop on fire safety for staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator.
It created awareness on fire prevention and safety measures to prevent fire in the home or office.
During the practical session, a section of the staff were taken through fire outbreaks drills steps to take in fire .
tries his hands on
one of the traditional
way to combat fire
Nortey led the demonstration exercise
to staff before the demonstration exercise
of staff Herty Nortey to put off a fire
Can-Tamakloe trying to
extinguish the fire
Led by Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO 1) Isaac Tengfaa, the staff were taught how to use the different types of fire extinguishers to combat fire.
He said it was important for home owners and office workers to put off every electrical gadget at work before leaving for their respective home because more fires in offices occur at closing hours.
He said fire incidence often resulted from carelessness, ignorance or natural occurrence.
Supported by ADO I Richard Mensah, ADO I Eunice Ceasar and Fire woman Anita Amponsah, some of the staff tried their hands on the fire extinguishers and other modes of combatting fire.
By Linda Abrefie Wadie
News
GJA commits to fighting ‘galamsey’
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Kwabena Dwumfour, has expressed the association’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining, known in the local parlance as ‘galamsey.’
According to him, the association was worried that forest reserves, water bodies and farm lands were being destroyed and degraded, all in the name of gold mining.
He said this when he addressed a press conference on issues affecting the nation and welfare of Journalists.
The GJA president indicated that in the mining communities, law and order were crumbling with impunity, with associated human right abuses, adverse and forced possessions of individual lands and farms while the decentralised administrative arms of government and traditional authorities seem to be helpless.
Turning his attention to assurances given by President John Dramani Mahama to fight illegal mining, the GJA President stressed that those assurances were welcomed, but urged the President to honour them.
“We welcome the assurances and commitment of President Mahama towards the fight against galamsey and it is our prayer that he will not relent or give up but honour his promise of stopping illegal mining in the country,” Mr Dwumfour emphasised.
He pledged the GJA’s support for the government in curbing the menace.
“We reiterate our condemnation of all illegal mining activities and demand urgent steps to be taken to tackle the issues head-on. There should be strict enforcement of all mining laws and regulations without any concessions, as well as the imposition of maximum sentences on offenders. This is a reliable approach to addressing this issue,” Mr Dwumfour added.
“The GJA urges the media to maintain the galamsey issue at the forefront until the menace was eliminated. As indicated in previous press conferences, we will not stop highlighting the issues until Galamsey stops,” he urged.
