News
New library complex commissioned at Axim
The new library Isert: Awulae Attibrukusu III assisted by Mr. James Kainyiah (right) and
others guest cutting the ribbon
The Western Heritage Home (WHH), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) operating in the Western Region has constructed a Library Complex for Axim in the Nzema East Municipality of the region.
The President of WHH, Mr. James Kainyiah at the commissioning ceremony said reading was very important to learning and all libraries played a major role in learning all subjects.
He said for any community to develop rapidly three basic things were necessary and mentioned hospital, Police Station and education in which the presence of a good library to help the students was needed urgently.
He said the library had all the knowledge in the world stocked in it and anybody seeking knowledge must always contact the library to look for the needed knowledge.
Mr. Kainyiah recalled that in 2010 Madam Mercy Ackah then in charge of the Axim Library wanted to create a small corner in the library for children to come and learn.
He said as an NGO, he started thinking of how to help build a bigger Library for Axim since the population was growing and the library was old and too small to accommodate those who visited it for knowledge and more so to get another corner for children.
He said he consulted Madam Marian Ward of the United States of America (USA) who readily agreed to look for funding for a new library and to get some books for the new library and today a new Library Complex well stocked with books of diverse subjects is being opened for Axim.
He urged all students in and around Axim to visit the library to gain more knowledge or to research into any subject matter since the library was well equipped.
The Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Nathaniel Affum also said libraries represented different subjects which talked about different people and was the best place to access more knowledge.
He said without libraries it would be very difficult to advance since libraries provided the needed knowledge to research and solve problems.
He said reading was a major challenge in Ghana adding “the Western Region was second but last in the new school curriculum because of poor reading habits”.
Mr. Philip Yaw Asamoah of the Ghana Library Authority (GLA) noted that the commissioning of the library would be the beginning of the promotion of literacy at Axim.
He said it would enable the young generation as well as the old to study easily and choose where to follow in terms of future career.
Mr. John Abugri who represented the Member of Parliament (MP) suggested that schools should liase with the (GLA) and choose specific days for students to visit the library as a way to draw their interest in reading and visiting the library.
A Police station built in the colonial days was renovated and handed over to the Ghana Police Service.
The Chairman of the occasion, the Paramount Chief of Lower Axim, Awulae Attibrukusu 111 appealed to the MP to provide 40 computer desks to the library while the municipal assembly should furnish the conference hall with furniture.
From Peter Gbambila-Axim
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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