News
AABRYT Foundation promotes menstrual health among WBM Zion SHS students
The AABRYT Foundation has intensified efforts to promote menstrual health awareness among adolescents with a sensitisation and mentorship programme for students of WBM Zion Senior High School (SHS).
The initiative, held under the theme “From Cycle to Career: Empowering Girls for Healthy Living and Future Success,” sought to educate students on menstrual hygiene, break stigma surrounding menstruation and empower girls to manage their menstrual health with confidence and dignity.
Speaking at the programme, the Founder and Executive Director of the AABRYT Foundation, Ms Diana Akosua Adutwumwaa Britwum, said menstrual health remained a critical issue affecting the well-being, confidence and academic performance of many girls.
She noted that inadequate knowledge, limited access to sanitary products and persistent misconceptions about menstruation often prevented girls from fully participating in school activities.
“Menstrual health is not just a girls’ issue; it is a societal issue that requires collective understanding and support,” she said.
According to her, the Foundation was committed to ensuring that young girls, particularly those in underserved communities, received the education and support needed to manage their menstrual health safely and confidently.
Ms Britwum stressed the importance of involving boys in conversations about menstruation to help eliminate stigma and foster respect and empathy among students.
“When one part of society lacks understanding, the entire society suffers from silence, stigma and misinformation,” she stated.
She explained that creating supportive environments for girls was essential to promoting their physical, emotional and academic development.
Ms Britwum disclosed that the Foundation had distributed more than 20,000 sanitary pads to over 5,000 girls across the Eastern, Ashanti, Greater Accra, Central, Oti and Volta regions as part of its menstrual health intervention programmes.
The headmistress of WBM Zion SHS, Mrs Abena Owarewaa Debrah, commended the foundation for the initiative, describing it as timely and beneficial to the students.
She said the menstrual health education sessions would equip girls with practical knowledge on proper hygiene practices and help them develop confidence during their menstrual cycles.
Mrs Debrah noted that many girls still faced challenges discussing menstrual issues openly due to cultural misconceptions and social stigma, making such educational programmes necessary.
She expressed optimism that the knowledge gained would encourage students to adopt healthy menstrual practices and support one another.
The workshop formed part of the Foundation’s “Glow, Grow and Bold Futures” initiative and brought together health professionals, mentors and security personnel to educate students on menstrual health, personal development and future opportunities.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has announced the commencement of enforcement of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2523), warning institutions that fail to comply with the new requirements of possible fines of up to 2,000 penalty units.
The Authority says it will deploy a Biometric Verification Implementation Task Force to inspect institutions and ensure they comply with the regulations, following the expiration of a three-month grace period granted to businesses and public institutions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, November 2, 2026, the NIA’s Corporate Affairs representative, William Ampomah Emmanuel Darlas, said the Authority had completed its public education and stakeholder engagement activities and was now moving into the enforcement and compliance monitoring phase.
He explained that the regulations require institutions that verify the identities of customers or applicants as part of their operations to use the NIA’s approved biometric verification platform instead of relying solely on visual inspection of the Ghana Card.
Under the new rules, institutions are prohibited from photocopying, scanning or keeping copies of the Ghana Card for identity verification purposes.
Mr Darlas stressed that simply collecting a customer’s Ghana Card, looking at the photograph and comparing it with the person presenting it would no longer be accepted as a valid method of identity verification.
He, however, clarified that the Ghana Card remains the country’s official national identity document and that citizens are not required to register for a new card or capture their biometrics again under the new regulations.
He said the new system is intended to reduce identity fraud, impersonation and other crimes by ensuring that the person presenting the Ghana Card is the actual owner.
According to him, the biometric verification process will rely on information already captured during Ghana Card registration, including fingerprints, iris details and facial features stored in the card’s chip.
Mr Darlas warned institutions against using third-party companies or individuals to access the NIA’s identity verification platform, insisting that the Authority does not work with intermediaries.
He said institutions seeking access to the National Identity Register must deal directly with the NIA and complete its official onboarding process.
The process requires institutions to prove that they are legally registered companies in Ghana, obtain certification from the Data Protection Commission and work with the NIA’s technical team to establish the necessary connection to its platform.
He further cautioned institutions already connected to the platform against subletting their access to other businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
He disclosed that the Authority had received reports of some institutions providing their verification services to other businesses without the NIA’s approval and warned that those involved would face legal action.
Mr Darlas said organisations that fail to comply with L.I. 2523 could face fines ranging from 500 to 2,000 penalty units, depending on the nature of the offence.
He explained that the NIA does not have the authority to impose the fines directly but would take offenders to court for the appropriate punishment.
He indicated that Institutions found guilty could also face additional administrative measures, including being barred from accessing the NIA’s verification platform in the future.
The NIA representative further clarified that the new regulations do not prohibit all institutions from physically using the Ghana Card during transactions.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Publishing Company Limited, Nana Kwesi Boatey, has revealed how he transformed a major overstaffing challenge into a success story through the government’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, November 2, Mr. Boatey disclosed that when he assumed office in February 2025, and inherited a bloated workforce of 250 employees doing work that could be efficiently handled by 150 people, a situation that created serious liquidity challenges for the state-owned company.
Instead of resorting to downsizing, he adopted an innovative approach by instituting a 24-hour operational system.
Under the new system, staff were redistributed across three shifts: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.
This not only ensured optimal use of labour but also maximized machine utilization and improved overall output.
According to him, the single move redefined the productivity culture within the company, reinforcing discipline, accountability, and efficiency.
The Ghana Publishing Company’s turnaround is being cited as a practical example of how the 24-Hour Economy policy can drive growth without job losses.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
