News
NCCE, UNFPA engage Bakpa Avedo market community on adolescent health, gender equality
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with support from the Global Affairs Canada, have organised a community durbar at the Bakpa Avedo Market in the Central Tongu District to educate market women and men on adolescent health, gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence.
The engagement, held on June 25, formed part of efforts to raise awareness on issues affecting adolescents and promote peaceful coexistence through the elimination of harmful social practices.
Mr George A. K. Amey, Central Tongu District Director of the NCCE, said the programme formed part of the Commission’s efforts to deepen public understanding of issues affecting adolescents and promote respect for the rights of women and girls.
He said civic education played a critical role in changing attitudes and behaviours that fuelled teenage pregnancy, gender inequality and gender-based violence.
Mr Amey encouraged participants to become ambassadors of the messages by educating their families, neighbours and peers, stressing that collective community action was essential to building a safe, inclusive and violence-free society.
Mr Wisdom Nyikplokpo, a Public Health Officer, appealed to parents, particularly fathers and boys, to support adolescent girls to realise their full potential by providing their basic needs and guidance.
He said such support would reduce the vulnerability of young girls to exploitation and teenage pregnancy, adding that parents should serve as mentors and role models to their children.
Madam Evelyn Abese, Psychosocial Counsellor and Chief Executive Officer of the Mamalyn Charity Foundation, urged residents to reject all forms of gender-based violence, describing it as a major threat to families and community development.
She emphasised that violence was not the solution to resolving conflicts and encouraged dialogue, mutual respect and consensus in addressing disagreements.
Mrs Ametsigo Kaka Justine, a retired educationist, called for equal opportunities for both men and women, noting that societal practices had historically favoured men at the expense of women and girls.
She said women and girls deserved equal access to education, leadership and economic opportunities and appealed to men to support efforts aimed at empowering females to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Madam Mawusi Teyikpa, Queen Mother of the Bakpa Avedo Market, expressed appreciation to the NCCE, UNFPA and Global Affairs Canada for bringing the civic education programme to the community.
She expressed hope that the initiative would help reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy, prevent gender-based violence and promote equal opportunities for both men and women to live peacefully and harmoniously. -GNA
The Asantehene, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has selected Nana Ama Bonsu as the 15th Asantehemaa.
The announcement was made at the Manhyia Palace today, following traditional consultations and customary processes within the royal household.
Nana Ama Bonsu who was outdoored today, succeeds the late Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III, the 14th Asantehemaa, enstooled as the 14th Asantehemaa on February 6, 2017 and passed away on August 7, 2025.
The late Asantehemaa reigned for 8 years and was widely respected for her role in promoting the welfare of women, children, and cultural values in Asanteman.
As Asantehemaa, Nana Ama Bonsu will serve as the Queen Mother of the Asante Kingdom. Her role is central to chieftaincy affairs, the nomination of chiefs, and the preservation of Asante customs and traditions. She will also be a key figure in advising the Asantehene on matters affecting women and the development of the kingdom.
The new Asantehemaa comes to the position with a deep understanding of Asante tradition and community leadership.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Government, under the auspices of the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee, has declared Friday, July 10, 2026, and Saturday, July 11, 2026, as National General Cleaning Days in the seven regions affected by the recent floods.
Under the theme “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the floods,” this two-day national exercise seeks to mobilise our collective duty to clean our communities, secure our environment and safeguard lives across the country.
According to the statement, this is a critical, nationwide exercise and all citizens are strongly encouraged to fully participate in it.
Against this backdrop, the President has accordingly directed that all government appointees, including Ministers of State, CEOs, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives MMDCEs), and Heads of Public Institutions, step out of their offices, pick up tools, and lead the cleanup efforts alongside members of their respective communities.
To ensure a structured, highly coordinated, and effective exercise, the activities have been scheduled as follows- Friday, July 10, 2026: Personnel from all security agencies, the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and waste management companies will commence the cleanup.
Additionally, Saturday, July 11, 2026: The general public will join the security agencies and assemblies to scale up the exercise.
During this two-day exercise, efforts will be heavily focused on:
⁃ Desilting choked drains to ensure free, uninterrupted water flow ahead of the heavy rains. ⁃ Sweeping and clearing sand, weeds, and debris from major roads, streets, and highways, ⁃ Cleaning up public spaces, including markets, lorry parks, recreational parks, and communal waste collection points.
This two-day exercise is a critical intervention and a vital wake-up call for the nation. For far too long, indiscriminate littering and plastic pollution have clogged our drainage systems, contributing to devastating, preventable floods that destroy livelihoods and claim precious Ghanaian lives
All Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are directed to collaborate with waste management companies to provide adequate ogistics, including waste trucks, gloves, shovels, and other cleaning tools at designated collection points.
Assemblies have been tasked to ensure that all silt and gathered refuse are evacuated immediately to prevent them from washing back into the drains.
“Let us rise together and show that the Ghanaian spirit of community, discipline, and unity is alive and well. Protect your home, protect your neighbour, and let us clean our beloved homeland,” the statement concluded.
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