Hot!
CEHDAR express worry over increasing sexting in Ghana
The President of Centre For Health Development and Research (CEHDAR), Dr Jemima Dennis-Antwi, has expressed worry about the increasing number of children lured into the act of sexting in the country.
According to her, sexting is becoming common in our society, as young girls are engaged in photographic literatures on their phones, by some recalcitrants men to lure them into the act, which may end up jeopardizing their future through sexual abuse.
Speaking in an interview with spectator.com.gh yesterday in Accra, Dr Dennis-Antwi said, parents should be concerned about what their children used their phones for, especially those who allowed their children to go on the internet.
CHEDAR is a non-governmental organisation that promote health system strengthening, and policy advocacy.
Dr Dennis- Antwi added that, sexting makes girls sexually inclined, and urged parents to protect their girls from these recalcitrants, to prevent them from being sexually abused.
She appealed stakeholders, especially religious bodies and educational institutions, to train the youth to have some sort of positive distraction, that allows girls seek for their future, to enable them become better persons whose contributions would impact positively in our society.
Dr Dennis-Antwi called on the government to strengthen institutions such as the Ghana Police Service , the Judiciary, and other relevant institutions with the needed logistics, for them to provide justice for victims of sexual abuse.
She explained that, if the law does not put measures to protect girls whose future could be compromised through sexting, these children would one day become pregnant, and becomes a burden to society.
” When a girl have a baby which is she not ready for, and the baby cannot get the protection he or she needs to able the baby grow into responsible adulthood.It means that we are breeding people who will become a burden to society, and at the same time, the girl may carry a huge physiological burden which affects their social development and health” Dr Dennis-Antwi said.
She added that, when girl are not ready to have babies, it creates danger for them, as some lose their lives through delivery, and others who cannot afford to take care of themselves financially, also get themselves into indecent lifestyles such as prostitution.
“Institutions such as the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit, the Department of Social Welfare, the Legal Aid Scheme, and others, should also be supported to provide justice for sexually abused girls and women,” she said.
Acorsing to her, “If we fail as stakeholders to protect these children, we are undermining the future of these girls who may someday becomes the future leaders of our country.”
“It is also important to say that, children, especially girls need to focus on their future and education, and desist themselves from any behaviors that may jeopardize their vision,” Dr Dennis-Antwi said.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN.
Firefighters from the Upper West Regional Command have responded to a vehicular incident involving a long vehicle carrying 35 Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC totes) reportedly containing hydrogen peroxide at Goriyiri in the Nadowli-Kaleo District.
The five-member crew, led by ASTNO Balagee, reported to the scene where a fire and an explosion had reportedly occurred.
The firefighters assessed the scene, identified the chemical hazards and implemented appropriate response measures, bringing the situation under control.
The driver reportedly sustained severe chemical burns and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
