News
Breastfeeding mothers demand privacy at church …as naked boobs ‘torment’ men
Mothers have the natural inclination to provide protection, care and love to their babies. Above all these demands, nursing babies is one of the foundamental roles mothers perform with great passion.
Aware of this deman and always zealous to ensure that babies are well fed, mothers feel uncomfortable feeding babies in public and in church.
According to nursing mothers, they do not want to expose their bodies and offend the sensibilities of men at such “sacred” functions.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator on Monday, some women expressed their discomfort with breastfeeding in church and appealed to churches to consider making a room available for nursing and breastfeeding on Sundays and major church activities.
They were of the view that the provision of a room dedicated to exlusive breastfeeding or nursing of babies would provide people the opportunity to concentrate on the worship.
“It is alright for me to nurse or breatfeed my baby in a public transport, at the market or even on campus. However, when it comes to church I am unable to feel free to do so and so at a point in life, I even decided to put church on hold because I didn’t want to expose my breast or give any man who is not serious funny ideas during worship,” AkuaAtaa a student and mother of one said.
She, therefore, appealed to authorities of religious institutions to prioritise providing a room for breastfeeding to give nursing mothers some privacy.
Madam Naomi Tindaana Korey, another nusing mother, said she had always tried to wear the right clothes and even cover the breast while she nursed her baby, but said if a permanent solution of a restricted area for mothers was provided it would be better.
“Imagine a man listening to the word of God and suddenly turns to see the breast of a woman? It is not a pleasant thing at all for both the woman and the man and so we should not trivialise it but help to put measures to support nursing mothers by making a room available for that.
She said there are suggestions that they go out of the churches to the compound but if a mother did not have a car to sit in, there was still the possibility of exposing her breasts outside and also she would miss much of the churchactivities, thereby defeating the purpose for which she had come to church.
However, the situation is different at the Central Assemblies of God Church in Tema Community Four in the Tema Metropolis in the Greater Accra Region, a room has been designated for breastfeeding and even a changing room for babies.
“The church dignifies and respects women as the homemakers, hence the decision to make provision for an official room for them to breastfeed their babies” the Pastor in Charge, Rev Emmanuel Oforisaid .
He said the proximity of the breastfeeding room has also made it possible for the mothers to listen to ongoing proceedings from the church auditorium and therefore they do not lose out.
He admitted that it has really helped to give the church a place ahead of others andhas made it possible for mothers to be comfortable to enable them to go about their motherly duties conveniently while in church.
Rev Ofori said the Breastfeeding room was set up about ten years old and the church has been committed to that gesture and even gone ahead to provide an air condition and other basic needs to ensure that the place was conducive for both mother and baby.
Ms Gloria Anderson, a church member, recalled her struggles as a nursing mother when the facility was not available at the church.
She said she had to stay at home for about nine months after being delivered of her babies because it was embarrassing breastfeeding with a man just a seat or two away.
She said, she made things easier for herself when she wore a nursing bra designed for breastfeeding which covered the breasts to a large extent and ensured that the breast was not too much exposed.
She commended the church authorities for their thoughtfulness of mothers and encouraged more churches to do same to make the church a convenient place for such mothers because the privacy of women was important.
She said it was exciting to also know that a nursing mother could come to church and participate fully in the service and this had encouraged more mothers to come to church about a month or two after they were delivered of their babies.
From DzifaTettehTay, Tema.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Elikplim Akurugu, has donated assorted hampers and cash support to mothers at Taifa Polyclinic and Ga East Municipal Hospital as part of activities marking this year’s Mother’s Day celebration.
The donation, which targeted nursing and lactating mothers at the two health facilities, included assorted hampers and an amount of GH¢500 presented to the women in appreciation of their sacrifices, commitment to motherhood and contribution to nurturing children in society.
Interacting with the mothers during the visit, MP Akurugu commended them for their resilience and dedication to their families despite the challenges associated with motherhood.
She encouraged the women to continue showing love, care and discipline in raising their children to become responsible members of society.
The MP also urged expectant and nursing mothers to prioritise regular health checkups and adhere to medical advice to ensure the wellbeing of both mothers and their babies.
According to her, mothers play a vital role in national development and therefore deserve recognition and support for their efforts.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Member of Parliament for the gesture, describing it as timely and thoughtful as the world celebrates mothers.
Health officials including some of the nurses at the facilities commended the MP for the initiative and called for continuous support towards maternal and child healthcare in the constituency.
During the visit to the Ga East Municipal Hospital, Madam Akurugu appealed to the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, and the contractor working on the Ga East Hospital road to expedite work on the stretch due to its deteriorating condition.
According to the MP, the poor state of the road has become a major concern for residents and motorists, contributing to frequent accidents and in some cases loss of lives before patients are even able to access medical treatment at the hospital.
In an emotional appeal, Madam Akurugu knelt and pleaded with the roads minister to treat the road project as an emergency to help protect lives and ease transportation challenges for residents and patients who use the facility.
She called for immediate intervention to ensure the road is completed and made safe for public use.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Elikplim Akurugu, has come to the aid of a constituent identified as Bintu at Dome Pentecost after a severe leg condition nearly claimed her life.
According to the MP, news of Bintu’s deteriorating condition was brought to her attention after reports emerged that one of her legs had badly rotten, leaving her in critical condition and in urgent need of medical care.
Madam Akurugu immediately intervened and facilitated her admission to the Ga East Municipal Hospital where doctors began treatment to save her life.
Following medical examination and treatment, doctors reportedly advised that the affected leg had to be amputated to prevent further complications and save her life, a decision the MP supported after consultations with the medical team.
The surgery was subsequently carried out successfully, leading to an improvement in Bintu’s condition.
Speaking during a visit to Bintu’s residence, Madam Akurugu revealed that beyond paying her hospital bills and ensuring she received proper medical attention, she had also taken steps to improve her living conditions.
According to the MP, Bintu had been living in a deteriorated and partially collapsed structure at Dome, making life extremely difficult and unsafe for her recovery.
As part of the intervention, the MP fully renovated the house and upgraded it to a modern living standard.
The renovation included furnishing the home and providing essential facilities such as a bathroom, toilet and other household necessities to ensure Bintu could live comfortably and with dignity.
Madam Akurugu also donated foodstuff and an undisclosed amount of cash to support Bintu’s upkeep and recovery process.
The MP further pledged to continue supporting Bintu throughout her lifetime, stressing that vulnerable persons within the constituency deserved care, compassion and dignity.
As part of activities marking this year’s Mother’s Day celebration, Madam Akurugu surprised Bintu with the newly renovated home after she was discharged from the hospital, describing the gesture as a way of giving her a fresh start in life following her recovery.
She noted that the intervention formed part of her commitment to improving the welfare of constituents facing hardship and medical challenges.
Residents and some community members who witnessed the gesture commended the MP for the support and described the intervention as life changing for the beneficiary.
By: Jacob Aggrey Dome Kwabenya MP pays hospital bills of constituent on the verge of death; renovates her home to modern standard
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Elikplim Akurugu, has come to the aid of a constituent identified as Bintu at Dome Pentecost after a severe leg condition nearly claimed her life.
According to the MP, news of Bintu’s deteriorating condition was brought to her attention after reports emerged that one of her legs had badly rotten, leaving her in critical condition and in urgent need of medical care.
Madam Akurugu immediately intervened and facilitated her admission to the Ga East Municipal Hospital where doctors began treatment to save her life.
Following medical examination and treatment, doctors reportedly advised that the affected leg had to be amputated to prevent further complications and save her life, a decision the MP supported after consultations with the medical team.
The surgery was subsequently carried out successfully, leading to an improvement in Bintu’s condition.
Speaking during a visit to Bintu’s residence, Madam Akurugu revealed that beyond paying her hospital bills and ensuring she received proper medical attention, she had also taken steps to improve her living conditions.
According to the MP, Bintu had been living in a deteriorated and partially collapsed structure at Dome, making life extremely difficult and unsafe for her recovery.
As part of the intervention, the MP fully renovated the house and upgraded it to a modern living standard.
The renovation included furnishing the home and providing essential facilities such as a bathroom, toilet and other household necessities to ensure Bintu could live comfortably and with dignity.
Madam Akurugu also donated foodstuff and an undisclosed amount of cash to support Bintu’s upkeep and recovery process.
The MP further pledged to continue supporting Bintu throughout her lifetime, stressing that vulnerable persons within the constituency deserved care, compassion and dignity.
As part of activities marking this year’s Mother’s Day celebration, Madam Akurugu surprised Bintu with the newly renovated home after she was discharged from the hospital, describing the gesture as a way of giving her a fresh start in life following her recovery.
She noted that the intervention formed part of her commitment to improving the welfare of constituents facing hardship and medical challenges.
Residents and some community members who witnessed the gesture commended the MP for the support and described the intervention as life changing for the beneficiary.
By: Jacob Aggrey
