News
Take pride in learning Ga customs, they aren’t fetish —Nae Wulomo
The Nae Wulomo of the Ga State, Nuumo Akwaa Mensah III, has urged the youth to take pride in learning and upholding Ga customs and traditions, stressing that it is their identity.
According to him, although they have shown interest, the process has been slow as a result of their involvement in church activities, due to the thinking that these customs and traditions are fetish.
But the Nae Wulomo insisted that, “these customs and traditions are not fetish. It has been with us for ages and our ancestors have kept them sacred before handing over to this generation.”
He said this in an interview with The Spectator in Accra last Saturday as the people of Ga Mashie celebrated their Homowo festival.
The festival attracted scores of people from all walks of life to observe the rich culture of the Ga people and other activities lined up as part of the festival.
The Nae Wulomo said it was important for young people to equip themselves with knowledge of the Ga customs and practices so they are not misled or disconnected from their roots.
The Nae Wulomo, who is the Highest Chief Priest of the Ga State, also cautioned the youth against violence and involvement in chieftaincy disputes.
He said many of these young people end up either as victims or perpetrators of crime when they allow themselves to be drawn into such conflicts.
“No girl or boy should be involved in fights or any confusion. If you are not killed, you may kill somebody and the punishment and agony that follow are the same,” he warned.
He decried the growing menace of drug abuse among the youth, describing it as a practice that destroys both the body and the mind.
“Drugs weaken the youth, ruin their appearance, and damage their mental and physical health. We need all young people alive and strong to build the future of our communities and nation,” he cautioned.
Nuumo Akwaa Mensah III also expressed concern about young girls being exploited as juvenile sex workers, appealing to them to pursue education instead.
“My beautiful girls, please stay away from such practices. Return to the classroom and prepare yourselves for a bright future. Education will open the doors to greatness,” he urged.
Turning to the Homowo celebrations, the Nae Wulomo praised the peace and unity experienced in this year’s festival, commending leaders of the communities for resolving some of the issues through dialogue and with the support of the Police and National Security.
“Yes, there were disputes in some areas before Homowo, but they were resolved. With unity and security involvement, everything went on successfully and peacefully,” he indicated.
He concluded with prayers and blessings for the people of Ga State and the nation as a whole.
This year’s Homowo was marked with pomp and pageantry at James Town and other areas of Ga Mashie amid drumming, dancing, chanting and firing of musketry.
Homowo means ‘hooting at hunger’ and also commemorates the triumph of the Ga people over famine during their migration to present day Accra.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has held its Fourth Quarter Ministerial Advisory Board Meeting to review progress, discuss key policy matters, and strengthen collaboration towards achieving its strategic goals.
The meeting brought together members of the Advisory Board, which was set up under Section 39 of the Civil Service Act, 1993 (PNDCL 327), and the Civil Service (Ministerial Advisory Board) Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1961).
The Board serves as a platform for continuous engagement between the Ministry and its stakeholders.
Its role is to advise the sector Minister on policy planning and implementation, while ensuring that programmes on gender, social protection, and child welfare align with national priorities and government development goals.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, commended the Board for its consistent support and technical guidance in advancing the Ministry’s mandate.
She noted that the Ministry’s work in promoting gender equality, protecting the vulnerable, and ensuring the welfare of children and families depends on strong policies and effective partnerships.
Dr. Lartey stressed that the Advisory Board plays an important role in helping the Ministry deliver its mission in a sustainable and impactful way.
A major highlight of the meeting was a presentation on the Ministry’s achievements so far this year, followed by discussions on future policy direction and strategic focus areas.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the Africa Geopolitical Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
The election took place on October 19, 2025, during the ongoing 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. His victory places Ghana at the center of continental and global parliamentary diplomacy.
With this new role, Speaker Bagbin will coordinate and harmonize Africa’s collective positions on major IPU decisions and policies.
He will also serve as the continent’s chief representative on key issues such as governance, peace, security, and sustainable development.
Speaker Bagbin currently serves as the President of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (COSPAL) and is the immediate past Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) International.
In his remarks after the election, he thanked African delegations for their confidence and unity, particularly commending Nigeria for seconding his nomination and Senegal for withdrawing its candidate in the spirit of cooperation.
He pledged to strengthen collaboration among African parliaments and promote transparency, democratic governance, and sustainable development through stronger legislative institutions.
He succeeds Ms. Angela Thokozile Didiza, Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly, who served with distinction.
The Africa Geopolitical Group, formed in the early 1950s, serves as a continental branch of the IPU, ensuring fair representation of African countries in the Union’s committees and decision-making bodies.
It also coordinates Africa’s common positions on major parliamentary issues discussed at IPU assemblies.
By: Jacob Aggrey
