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Don’t stigmatise women with mental health challenge — DDP Ashong-Mettle
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A Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP), Yayra Ashong-Mettle, is urging society to refrain from stigmatising women with mental health disorders.
Rather, such persons, she stressed, must be empowered and approach issues regarding such people with resilience.
DDP Ashong-Mettle, an Officer-In-Charge of the Senior Correctional Centre, gave the advice during an interaction with female officers at the Senior Correctional Centre in Accra last week,
Addressing both senior and junior female officers at the station, she noted that, mental health was a critical aspect of an individual’s overall well-being, but often overlooked in the society.
The Officer-In-Charge also disclosed that, mental health issues were often stigmatised and misunderstood in the society, simply due to cultural beliefs and lack of awareness.
She enumerated depression, stress, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as some of the forms of mental health disorders officers’ deal with, adding that it was important to intensify awareness in order to help combat it.
Stigma to the aforementioned mental disorders, she emphasised, could often lead to social exclusion, loneliness and feeling of shame which could in the long-run worsen the issue.
She urged women in the society to collectively help in combating stigma related issues concerning female mental health disorders and also safeguard their mental well-being.
“Let us avoid the use of derogatory terms that perpetuates stigma to mental health, because it affects productivity at work and affects relationships”, the OIC expatiated.
Also, Dr Erica Dickson, a Clinical Psychologist at the 37 Military Hospital, urged officers and women to safeguard their mental well-being as a priority and galvanised them not to be overwhelmed with stress.
Dr Dickson again encouraged women to boldly come out from every mental disorder to seek psychological support from experts in order to have a productive life devoid of mental disorder.
Superintendent Dr Florence Djoeletoe, a Medical Doctor with the Ghana Prisons Service, who facilitated the programme with support from DSP Jessica Lartey and other officers, thrilled female officers with fun activities to climax the Gender Week Celebration marked by SCC.
Activities include basic makeup and baking tutorials coupled with an artistic “Sip and Paint” sessions to amuse officers as part of stress management.
Senior male officers who were specially invited were DDP Dr Adama Okai, the Chaplain General of the Ghana Prisons Service and Assistant Director of Prisons, Roland Suurbesig, Second-In-Command of the Senior Correctional Centre and ASP Enoch Kusi Boadum.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
Businessman Mr. Ibrahim Mahama has denied reports linking him to a takeover bid for the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO).
His reaction follows a demonstration by members of the VALCO Labour Union today, during which some protesters alleged that Mr. Mahama was interested in acquiring the state-owned aluminium company.
In a statement issued by his Special Aide, Rafik Mahama, the businessman said he has “no such interest” and has not made any offer to acquire VALCO.
“The allegation is the latest in several vile attempts to impute the integrity of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama and subject him to needless public engagements,” the statement said.
The statement added that Mr. Mahama’s business track record speaks for itself, describing his companies as “some of the best-run operations across the African continent.”
It further noted that all of Mr. Mahama’s business interests were “legally commenced or acquired” and operate within the law a fact it said explains why his businesses have endured across seven election cycles.
“Mr. Mahama remains committed to contributing his quota to the development of Ghana by investing in business opportunities in Ghana and beyond,” the statement added.
The statement also disclosed that Mr. Mahama has instructed his lawyers to take the necessary legal action over the publication and allegations.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The leadership of Kristo Asafo has dismissed reports circulating on social media and in some media outlets that the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka will be buried on July 30, 2026, describing the claim as false.
The current head of the Kantanka family and leader of Kristo Asafo, Kwadwo Safo Akofena Kantanka, addressed the issue during a press conference in Accra today.
He said no burial date has been set and urged members of the church and the general public to disregard any unofficial announcements.
“I urge the members of Kristo Asafo and the nation to disregard any burial date out there,” Akofena said.
He further stressed that neither the leadership of the church nor the Kantanka family has made any such announcement regarding the funeral.
According to him, all official funeral arrangements will be communicated only through a formal statement from the Kantanka family when the time is due.
Akofena Safo Kantanka said the family remains united in ensuring that the final funeral rites are conducted in a manner that befits the legacy of the late Apostle.
He called on Ghanaians to remain calm and wait for the official communication from the family, warning against the spread of misinformation.
Background
Apostle Dr. Ing. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, founder and spiritual leader of Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana, passed away recently, plunging the church and the nation into mourning.
The late Apostle was widely known not only as a religious leader but also as an industrialist, inventor, and founder of the Kantanka Group of Companies, which manufactures vehicles and other machinery in Ghana.
Since his passing, there has been heightened public interest in his funeral arrangements.
It would be recalled that a faction of the siblings and family led by former MP Adwoa Safo had earlier announced a proposed burial date and arrangements.
That announcement, however, has been rejected by the current leadership of both the church and the family.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
