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“Early childbirth does not guarantee fertility”
Anytime the issue of infertility comes up, some people point accusing fingers at women or men who have never had a child.
This is why when one of a couple has a child from a previous relationship and is yearning for another but to no avail, such a situation triggers accusation and counter accusations in society.
But what many people are ignorant of is the fact that having a child earlier in life does not guarantee that such a person would not suffer infertility later.
Infertility according to Dr. Lughano Ndovie a Merck Foundation Alumni and a Scientific Committee Member in a compilation titled “infertility awareness prevention and management “, defined infertility as the failure to conceive after 12 months period of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
This therefore does not matter whether one has had a child previously or not.
The condition was further sub divided into a Primary Infertility that is couples that have never conceived and Secondary infertility on the other hand which has to do with couple who have conceived before but now failing to get pregnant again.
Mrs. Josephine Alai, the Founder of the Single Parenting with Purpose (SPWP) a non profit making support group for single parents shares her battle with infertility four years in marriage after 11 years of having a set of twins out of wedlock.
“Having kids before, I didn’t know that having kids again would be that much of a challenge. My husband and I had to go through a lot of processes in our quest to get a child” she disclosed.
“I so desperately needed to bear a child for my husband who loved me and my twins so much my words cannot describe” she disclosed to the Spectator in an interview.
Mrs. Alai recalled how she took to “self medications, herbal concoctions, had several tests,ranging from hormonal treatments , HSG,Hydrotubation,IUI,from doctor to doctor yet nothing worked”.
She commended her husband for his support during what she described as turbulent times and who always calmed and assured her that all will be well.
She said as a Christian she always prayed about it and would pass by the church to do so as often as possible.
“Lord,I have served you. Where did I go wrong? You gave me children, not one but twins when I was so young and not ready to have them. You gave me a second chance at life and given me a man who loves and honours me,why would u withhold a child from us” she questioned God.
The Founder of Single Parenting With a Purpose said as human as she was, she got tired and gave up.
“Interestingly, I found out I was pregnant when I had given up. For the first time in four years after marriage” she disclosed.
She said though the pregnancy was not a smooth one, she was grateful to God for blessing her marriage with a baby girl.
“For those trying to conceive, be not discouraged. The process is painful but be assured God has got you and you are in Good hands. He sure makes all things beautiful in His time” she said.
She advised couples to be strong and support each other when they a battling with infertility and also seek medical attention.
She said couples must also note that it was possible to struggle to conceive even after a previous child or children.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
