News
NLA donates to NGO supporting mentally challenged
His love for the mentally challenged in society is unmatched as he has dedicated his personal time and resources to the welfare of the neglected in society.
Mr Eliasu Baba, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bahass Foundation in the Upper West Region is committed to ensuring that persons with mental health conditions are well catered for.
So contrary to usual practice where some people distance themselves from such persons in society on the streets, Mr Baba gathers these persons once every month and with the help of his staff, give them a warm bath, shave their hair and dress them up for homemade meals.
Even though he has no permanent place to keep them, he is able to provide their immediate needs and get their clothes changed to ensure that they are kept warm on the street and also make the beneficiaries feel loved.
It is, therefore, welcoming when the National Lottery Authority (NLA) donated assorted commodities valued at GH¢15,000 to the Foundation to hep support its activities in the region.
The donation which included bags of rice, oil, maize, bales of second hand clothing and detergent was meant to be distributed to persons with mental health conditions at Jirapa, Lawra, Nandom and the Wa Municipality of the upper West Region.
The Deputy Coordinator of the NLA’s ‘Good Causes Foundation’, Madam Ama Frimpong said the donation at Wa was to cushion the Bahass Foundation to provide quality care and support to the target beneficiaries in the region.
She said NLA had the mission of undertaking corporate social responsibilities as well as sustaining the gains in order to create shared values of social cohesion and national development.
She said persons with mental health conditions deserved love in order to feel good about themselves stressing that the Foundation would continue to identify and help vulnerable members in society.
She commended the Bahass Foundation for the great job they were doing and encouraged them to continue to work harder to ensure the wellbeing of persons with mental health.
Mr Baba who received the items thanked the NLA for the gesture and assured them that the items would be fairly distributed to the target group as the foundation was focused on putting smiles on the faces of persons with mental health conditions on the street.
He called on other well-meaning institutions and organisations to come to the aid of persons with mental health conditions and other vulnerable groups in the region and help provide a comfortable washroom for them.
From Rafia Abdul Razak, Wa
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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