Gender
COVID-19 and matters arising
The corona virus pandemic has really wreaked havoc in the world, causing many deaths and making others sick and putting a huge burden on healthcare systems.
Luckily, a number of vaccines have been developed and are being administered to people in various countries to help control this deadly disease which has now become an albatross around our necks in the world.
Keeping safe
Everybody is doing their best to keep safe. People are managing with the “new normal” regarding the safety protocols such as social distancing, not hugging or shaking hands, wearing of masks, regularly washing of hands or using hand sanitisers, etc.
The need to adhere strictly to the safety protocols has become even more necessary because of the different variants of the virus and how they are spreading quickly. According to health experts, a number of different variants of the corona virus are now circulating around the world.
There are many reports where people have accidentally become infected after all their diligence with the safety protocols. You never know, actually.
Boosting one’s immunity
Health and nutrition experts have been advising on the need to boost one’s immune system with healthy foods rich in vitamins, exercises or physical activities to keep the body strong and help to fight sickness.
A good immune system, it is said, helps to fight the virus and prevents it from doing damage to our health. We are advised to eat leafy greens such as spinach, and other foodstuffs such as fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins, zinc, and other immune boosting nutrients.
Our own kontomire and other greens used for soups and stews are very healthy. These days because I cannot get kontomire here (Finland). I use spinach to prepare green kontomire-like soup. I enjoy the more of this and other foodstuffs, such as plantains (I usually mash the plantain into an oto with smoked dried fish to give it an aromatic touch, accompanied with slices of avocado pear, which I eat straight from the apotoyewa).
A friend here recently told me that in their home they had made it a point to eat salad (with other vegetables) every Saturday morning. No room for complacency oo.
Why I will get vaccinated
Luckily, a number of vaccines are being administered to people in many countries to help control this deadly epidemic which has now become an albatross around our necks in the world.
I cannot wait to receive my vaccination. Some friends elsewhere have taken the first and second shots and are doing okay. They are so elated to have had that opportunity.
Ghana has taken delivery of its initial vaccines recently and has started administering. That’s good.
According to key health institutions and experts, vaccines are an important part of stopping the spread of COVID-19 as they reduce the severity of the symptoms in case one becomes infected.
This is one important reason I will not delay at all to take the vaccine. I will take it sharp, sharp. Again, who knows what happens should hoarding set in or if demand for the vaccines exceeds supply at a point in time? That means it will then become difficult to get vaccinated. A word to the wise…
The conspiracy theories
It is sad that there seems to be vaccine hesitancy in Ghana because of conspiracy theories, cynicism, ignorance, and worse of all, sheer mischief by some people. All this has resulted in casting doubts about the efficacy of the vaccines brought to Ghana and other African countries.
Some people think the vaccines for African countries are different from the ones for the Western nations; therefore, the ones brought to Africa could be dangerous and meant to depopulate the Black race. Some have even claimed without any proof that the vaccines would leave people with sexual dysfunction.
Such conspiracy theories remind me about HIV/AIDS. Conspiracy theories were rife about the disease in Africa with some people claiming that HIV/AIDS had been created in laboratories in the West to kill Blacks, that it affects only urban dwellers, etc.
In the end, HIV/AIDS saw many infections and deaths in Ghana and other African countries. Sub-Saharan Africa actually remains the most affected region in the global HIV epidemic and bears more than two-thirds of the global HIV burden, according to the UNAIDS.
Increasing the education
There is the need to intensify education about the vaccines to help control COVID-19. The key stakeholders—government/state institutions, health authorities, religious leaders, traditional authorities, non-governmental organisations in Ghana should all come in even more strongly than before to educate people in our localities. The media should be one of the leading groups in this endeavour.
Finally, let’s all follow the safety measures, especially the wearing of masks. Let the authorities constantly drum it home to us to help control the virus. Thank you!
The writer is a Ghanaian lecturer at University of Helsinki, Finland
Gender
Parents urged to provide moral guidance to help children transition to adulthood
North Hill International School (NIS), a basic school situated at North Legon in Accra has held its 6th Speech and Prize-Giving Day with a call on parents and guardians to provide the needed moral guidance and support for children to become responsible and disciplined adults in society.
The Guest Speaker for the occasion, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State and Government Communication who made the call in a speech read on his behalf, said this stage was crucial for children to learn values that enable them become responsible members of the family unit, their immediate environment and the country at large.
Themed: “Discipline- The bridge between dreams and reality” the event saw 36 learners in total graduating comprising primary and lower secondary.
Master Vielung Kwadwo Bagbin, son of Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, emerged overall best student.
Mr Ofosu said their formative stage was an age where good habits, behaviours and characters were built which lay a solid foundation for their lives.
In an address, the Principal of the School, Mrs Emma Coleman Opoku, said the school reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence as demonstrated by the outstanding performance of pupils in the 2025 Cambridge Checkpoint Examinations.
She described the outcome as result of tireless efforts from passionate teachers, the determination and diligence of pupils and the support of parents.
Over the years, she said, NIS has made remarkable strides in the Basic Education Certificate Examinations, consistently raising academic standards and producing outstanding results.
According to her, last year, the school recorded exceptional achievements including ten grade ones with two pupils attaining eight grade ones and another achieving six grade ones.
“Despite these successes, we have observed a decline in interest and enrollment in the GES curriculum,” she said.
The Principal indicated that, after careful examination and in light of current enrollment figures, the school has decided to suspend the GES curriculum temporarily.
On her part, the General Manager of the school, Mrs Bernice Adu Boateng, expressed gratitude to teachers for their dedication and professionalism and the invaluable role of parents which has brought the school thus far.
Come September, she said the school would roll out digital boards to complement the use of projectors and desktops in every classroom to infuse the use of technology to enhance facilitator-learner activities.
In a Global Perspective Project titled, “ Acting on Poverty and Inequality “, Year 7 pupils of the school raised an amount of GH₵17,530 to support the cause and donated used personal effects to Potter’s Village.
The Administrator and Human Resources Manager of the school, Mrs. Bertha Boamah Benin, expressed profound appreciation to companies and individuals that supported the event.
By Francis Cofie
Gender
Take control of your financial future …female students urged
Mrs. Janet Acheampong Otoo, Treasurer of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), has urged young women to take control of their financial future by embracing literacy, confidence, and purposeful planning.
Speaking at the university’s Financial Literacy Summit over the weekend, she emphasized that “money is power” and that women must be empowered with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions.
The summit, organised by the Student Representative Council, was held under the theme “Financial Fitness: Building wealth and securing your future.”
Mrs Acheampong Otoo explained that financial literacy was more than budgeting—”it encompasses saving, investing, and managing debt”.
However, she noted that many women still struggle due to a confidence gap that hinders their ability to create and follow effective financial plans.
“Financial independence is about freedom, confidence, and the ability to pursue your dreams,” she said. “As women, we have the power to shape our own futures and contribute meaningfully to society and family life.”
She encouraged female students to attend workshops, read widely, and avoid impulsive spending on beauty and lifestyle. “Every financial decision should align with your long-term vision,” she added. “Believe in yourself. Lead the charge.”
Joining the conversation, the Municipal Chief Executive of Sekyere South, Mr Evans Amo Twumasi, called financial literacy one of the most overlooked foundations in nation-building.
“In today’s world, the line between economic survival and financial freedom is drawn not by luck but by knowledge and discipline,” Mr Amo said. “Money may be finite, but knowledge is infinite—and financial discipline is the bridge between them.”
He stressed that financial fitness was not just about saving or spending, but understanding the value of a cedi, the cost of each decision, and the power of forward planning. With the right mindset and habits, he said, anyone can achieve economic resilience and long-term success.
Mr Amo urged students to embrace financial education as a tool for personal transformation and national progress. “The future does not belong to those who merely wish for wealth—it belongs to those who plan it, save it, and work for it,” he said.
He also called for policies that strengthen entrepreneurship and youth empowerment and encouraged students to respect money and use it with purpose.
Other speakers included Dr Evans Duah, Dr Prince Gyimah and Prof. Joseph Mbawuni, all lecturers at the University.
From Kingsley E. Hope
