News
Cohabitation, cause of high teenage pregnancy at Cape Coast — Social Welfare Officer
The Cape Coast Metropolitan Director of Social Welfare, Mr. Okine Mustapha Aryee, has called on the chiefs and family heads within the Oguaa Traditional Area, to institute punitive measures against men who impregnate girls out of wedlock in the municipality.
He said that cohabitation among the youth was becoming a norm in the metropolis thereby contributing to a high rate of teenage pregnancies in the town.
The situation, he said, had become necessary due to a number of parental neglect and wondered why people must be left to experiment with marriage which was supposed to be a sacred and serious business.
Mr Aryee made the proposal at a stakeholder engagement organised by the Oguaa Traditional Council with the support of the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South, Mr Kweku Rikkets Hagan to address a number of challenges confronting the traditional area.
He stated that, most of the men who were responsible for the pregnancies sometimes refused to take up responsibility after the ladies had been impregnated.
Marriage, he said, was not mandatory and that, those who were not ready should not try to experiment it for fun, saying, “Marriage is a serious business”.
“Most of the men who refused to take responsibility, are now paying for the upkeep of their children at the Social Welfare department after the mothers have reported them to the department,” he said.
The Metropolitan Director said that drivers, fishermen and teachers were the highest number of men responsible for such teenage pregnancies in the metropolis which was affecting the development of children in the area.
He mentioned parental irresponsibility as also one of the major causes of teenage pregnancy and urged parents to support the efforts in moulding their children.
The Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, in his address, expressed concern about the rate of road accidents and called for action to address the situation.
He expressed worry about the rate of teenage pregnancies in the area and called on the youth to be committed to their studies.
The MP, Mr. Kweku Rickket Hagan, who chaired the event expressed concern about the poor performance of pupils at the basic education level which he said denied majority of them the opportunity to gain admission into some of the elite Senior High Schools within the metropolis
On his part, the MP for Cape Coast North, Mr Minta Nyarko also urged the residents to explore the various opportunities opportunities available for the development of the area.
From David O. Yarboi-Tetteh, Cape Coast
For the first time in its seven-year history, the celebrated Guinea Fowl Bazaar has been brought to Accra, marking a significant expansion of an event that has, for the past six years, been a staple in Tamale.
The two-day cultural and culinary festival, held from May 1–2, drew over 500 patrons and featured nearly 20 vendors, to promote Northern Ghana’s rich food culture particularly guinea fowl delicacies.
Hosted by By Faith Catering Services, the bazaar brought together traditional leaders, cultural groups, food entrepreneurs, and government representatives in a display of heritage and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Angelo Dogbe, the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority underscored the importance of promoting indigenous cuisine as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation. Chiefs from the Northern Region also graced the occasion, lending traditional authority and reinforcing the cultural significance of the festival.
A major highlight of the bazaar was a series of captivating cultural performances representing the diverse tribes of the Northern Region. Attendees were treated to traditional music, dance, and attire, transforming the venue into a lively tapestry of Northern identity and pride.
Vendors expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience in the capital. Many noted increased visibility, networking opportunities, and strong sales throughout the two-day event.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of By Faith Catering Services, Mrs. Matilda Zenabu Pipio described the Accra edition as a strategic move to broaden the reach of the festival and create new economic pathways for vendors and producers from the north.
She announced plans to make the Accra bazaar an annual event, emphasizing its potential to boost employment, promote guinea fowl production, and introduce more Ghanaians to the unique flavours of Northern cuisine.
She said, the event is a platform for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and national unity through food.
She commended partners and called on more organisers to support and invest in initiatives like this.
Meanwhile, the organizers of Guinea fowl Bazaar paid a courtesy call to the Editor of Spectator, Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Mr. David Adadevoh, Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times.
Both editors lauded the initiatives and encouraged the organizers to sustain it.
Organizers for the initiative and called on stakeholders and cooperate bodies to support this good course.
By Geoffrey Buta.
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
