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Funeral jams, cause of teenage pregnancy …Chief calls for ban
● Some girls are unable to identify the men who got them pregnant
The Chief of Kulpieniin the Nadowli Kaleo District of the Upper West Region, NaaKunzozolomaDanlaabu I has said that funeral jams popularly known as “dance” was the cause of teenage pregnancies and promiscuity among young people in the area.
He explained that the jams mostly took place funerals in the various communities where huge speakers were mounted to amplify songs played by disc jockeys from the evening of the last day of the funeral after the mourners had left, till mid night or dawn of the next day.
He said many of the teenagers moved from one community to the other to attend such events where they danced their hearts out, mingled with the opposite sex and indulged in excessive drinking of alcohol led to sexual immorality and its concomitant pregnancies.
The chief stated this during a meeting on Sexual and Gender-based Violence at Kpaala community in the Kulpieni Electoral Area by the Department of Gender with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
NaaDanlaabu I who was worried about the issue said there was the need to ban those jams in the area but that would need the consensus of all chiefs in the communities to ensure that it was bound in all areas to prevent the young from moving from one area to the other in search of where the dance was taking place.
“During the main funerals, we hardly see young people around but when it is time for the dance, you see them everywhere around; they even bring new people from other areas on board”, he said.
He stated that when the music began to play, the young ones behaved like they were plugged to a source of electrical power and danced till they were worn out whilst others drank liquor or smoked.
The Chief stated that some of the teenagers had information about where the next funeral dance was taking place and moved to that area even when it was out of their jurisdiction and said they prepared adequately for such events in order to meet new partners to hook up with.
“It is not surprising, therefore, that we have so many teenage pregnancy cases in the area and some of the girls are not even able to identify the men that got them pregnant; we need to push for sexual responsibility among our youth and if it means regulating such funeral activities, we will”, he stressed.
He called for a consensus building between himself and the other chiefs on how to adequately ban funeral jams in and around the traditional area to prevent the youth from patronising the event in areas where it had not been banned.
Adding her voice, the Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Ms Charity Batuurecharged the chiefs to engage in a meaningful dialogue on the issue to know how best they could deal with the menace.
She explained that it was necessary for the parents to protect their children, particularly females from ruffians who would impregnate them and abandon them or cause them to get married early when they were not ready.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Kpaala
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
