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ASWIM salutes mothers for their frontline services to humanity

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The Association of Women in the Media (ASWIM) is delighted to join in the global celebration of women for their critical motherly roles, which have sustained humanity through generations.

Over the years, mothers have been recognised as the embodiment of the essence of life because of their ability to generate new life, nurture and guide their children to play critical roles essential for the sustenance of humankind.

A mother’s work, it is said, is never done.  She is a caregiver, mentor, coach, dietician, teacher, housekeeper, seamstress, repairer, model, spiritual leader, confidante, motivational speaker, peace broker, disciplinarian and many more despite her educational level or social status.

The UN aptly states that: “From cooking and cleaning, to fetching water and firewood or taking care of children and the elderly, women carry out at least two-and-a-half times more unpaid household and care work than men.

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“As a result, they have less time to engage in paid labour, or work longer hours, combining paid and unpaid labour. Women’s unpaid work subsidises the cost of care that sustains families, supports economies and often, fills in for the lack of social services.

“Yet, it is rarely recognised as ‘work’. Unpaid care and domestic work is valued to be 10 and 39 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product and can contribute more to the economy than the manufacturing, commerce or transportation sectors”.

In carrying out these frontline duties all these countless years, mothers have demonstrated admirable multi-tasking abilities, selflessness, compassion, ingenuity, patience, long suffering, resilience, intuition, foresight, discipline, dedication, loyalty- among other values – and have undoubtedly been able to pass them on to successive generations, less their societies become poorer in their shared humanity.

William Ross Wallace, in his 1865 classic poem, ‘What Rules the World’, duly states thus: “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world”.

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Wallace recognises the divinely assigned nurturing roles of mothers and their influence in making the world a better place; and gratefully asks for blessings for them to continue to shape their societies.

It is in this light that ASWIM salutes all women for their diverse frontline motherly roles in the lives of the households, communities, societies and nations they have touched and played tremendous roles in moulding and transforming for peace in our world.

We pray for God’s guidance and protection for all, especially women who despite the dangers of COVID-19 have continued to offer care for their helpless children and families and risked their lives to engage in varied income generating activities to feed their households and the world.

ASWIM, particularly, recognises the millions of women all around the world providing healthcare, food and other essential services to contain and finally overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and salutes them for their sacrifices.

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Additionally, we commend frontline workers in all countries for being the ‘mothers’ of the world at this critical time in history for their  selfless services.

Such selfless motherly role was exemplified by Ms Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, the 28-year old pregnant Ghanaian nurse in the United Kingdom, whose life was snuffed out by COVID-19 in her dedication to saving lives.

ASWIM celebrates Ms Agyapong and many like her, and prays that their sacrifices will never be in vain.

The association also salutes all Ghanaian women for their diverse contributions towards combating COVID-19.

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A special commendation goes to the mother of the nation, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Mrs Akosua Frema Osei Opare, the Chief of Staff, for their sterling contributions to building our nation.

ASWIM also uses this special occasion to encourage all women to use their unique motherly influences to mobilise their communities to comply with all the preventive protocols against COVID-19.

There is no doubt that should the situation in the country get out of hand, women stand to suffer more emotionally and physically as caregivers in the home, communities and health facilities.

Indeed, Ghana needs all of its mothers to continue to be in the frontline to drive holistic national development.

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Happy Mother’s Day to all Ghanaian women!

Mrs Mavis Kitcher, President, ASWIM.

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Watch your mattresses!…they can cause chronic back pain, other health disorders

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A display of substandard matress
A display of substandard matress

Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.

At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.

Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.

These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.

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This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.

According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.

“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”

“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.

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The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.

The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.

In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.

The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.

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Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.

They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.

Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.

Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.

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As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.

They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.

“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.

From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi

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Raissa Initiative demands harsher punishment for sexual abusers of girls

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Ms Raissa Sambou

The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.

Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”

She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.

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Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.

She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.

“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.

Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.

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“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.

She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.

Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

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