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‘Don’t be intimidated …be proud of resisting FGM’
● Nana Ogyedom Tsetsewa I
Women and girls who have not undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) have been advised not to entertain unsavoury comments aimed at making them feel less of women.
They should rather be proud of themselves that they have been able to resist a tradition that violates the human rights of women.
The Osumpahen of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council in the Central region, Nana Ogyedom Ama Tsetsewa I made the comments in an interview with The Spectator on Wednesday towards the International Day of Zero tolerance for FGM scheduled for February 6.
She observed that, there were husbands who even made their wives feel that because they had not undergone the procedure of altering their female genitalia as dictated by their communities, they fall short of the qualities of a wife.
Nana Ogyedom Tsetsewa I said such disappointing comments had even compelled some wives to undergo the practice and some parents force their daughters to do so.
“Every part of the body was made for a purpose and so was the clitoris and other parts of the female genitalia and so why should they be cut off to complicate the lives of women under the guise of making them clean, faithful or prevent them from being promiscuous,” she questioned.
The Osumpahen of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council said there was therefore the need to educate the public continuously to spread the message about the dangers of FGM because of its serious health implications on women.
“It is on record that a woman or girl could die in the process especially because little or nothing was done medically to control the pain or loss of blood and sharing of the tools without proper sterilisation transfer diseases from one person to another,” she said.
She called on traditional leaders to talk about the issue at all social gatherings to attract public attention.
She advised religious institutions to be actively involved in the education at places such as churches and mosques to encourage behavioural change.
Nana Ogyedom Tsetsewa I also advocated for frequent public education by the Ministry for Gender Children and Social Protection, (MGCSP) National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and not treat it as a once in a while event.
“Perpetrators of the act must also be severely punished to serve as a deterrent to others and also handsome rewards given to members of the public who expose the activities of such persons “ she recommended.
She said it was sad that the act was mostly carried out by women and so called on all women to learn to love themselves and also protect one another.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
