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Editorial

 Don’t demand sex from teenage girls when you support them

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 Some teenage girls are becom­ing increasingly concerned about men requesting sex from them in return for the sup­port they provide.

The girls have urged for inter­vention to address their predica­ment, claiming that the demand for sex by men in exchange for assistance frequently leads to teenage pregnancies among them.

The girls voiced these con­cerns when the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) conduct­ed a study in three locations with over 200 adolescents, 80 percent of whom were girls.

The initiative forms part of the larger West and Central Africa strategy to ensure a better future for girls and is a component of Ghana’s national priorities for the welfare of teenage girls.

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Participants were selected from the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Upper West regions, including Wa, Kumasi, and Tema.

In collaboration with the gov­ernment, the consultations were conducted to establish safe spac­es where girls between the ages of 10 and 19 may discuss their goals and concerns and propose solutions.

The girls said that “some of us are willing to work, but there are very few opportunities available” and described their situation as a terrible reality that is having a significant impact on them.

They also bemoaned the fact that “we would gladly take jobs if we had access to them so that we can move away from this harmful lifestyle.”

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Even more disturbing is the abusers’ use of their social status, influence, and power to coerce, manipulate, exploit, or threaten these defenseless girls. Some vic­tims may feel pressured to com­ply with the abuser’s demands, making it difficult for them to report the abuse or escape, which causes emotional distress.

Experts in emotional therapy say that serious mental trauma, such as anxiety, sadness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can result from feeling helpless and exploited.

The Spectator advises parents to be responsible, mentor, and as­sist teenagers in making decisions about their sexual health. They should also establish private, open avenues for sex education discussions in order to allow their children to ask questions about sex, puberty, and relationships,

By empowering victims, hold­ing perpetrators accountable, creating safe environments, and fostering education and aware­ness we can work towards pre­venting sexual abuse and help reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancies.

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The Spectator applauds UNICEF for promising to keep turning these realisations into tangible action by strengthen­ing programmes that empower adolescent girls and provide them with the opportunities needed to thrive.

We also implore the govern­ment and all other stakeholders to take action in order to invest in teenage girls’ potential, pro­mote gender equality, and pro­vide a better future for them.

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Editorial

The law must deal with sexually abusive fathers

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Dear Editor,

I am deeply concerned about the increasing reports of fathers sexually abusing their own daughters.

This disturbing trend is not only destroying families but also leaving victims with lifelong emotional, psychological and physical trauma.

Parents are expected to protect and nurture their children, not become a source of fear and abuse. Such acts are unacceptable and must be condemned by every section of society.

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I urge law enforcement agencies to investigate these cases promptly and ensure perpetrators face the full rigours of the law.

At the same time, government, religious bodies, schools and civil society organisations must intensify public education on child protection and encourage victims and witnesses to report abuse without fear.

Communities must also stop shielding offenders because of family ties or social status. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving environment.

I hope this issue receives the urgent national attention it deserves.

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From Eugene Ampiaw

Accra

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Editorial

Teach children basic swimming, water safety techniques

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that drowning is still one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide for those between the ages of one and 24, with children under five being most at risk.

Drowning is defined as being underwater and not being able to breathe, which can result in death or injury.

Additionally, UNICEF has warned that children playing in or near water without adequate supervision and safety precautions can quickly transform a happy moment into a tragedy.

It is worrying that children and young adults make up the majority of the estimated 1,100 drowning deaths that occur in Ghana alone each year, or almost three deaths per day.

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These were contained in a statement commemorating World Drowning Prevention Day, which is observed on July 25 every year to strengthen national and international efforts to prevent drowning.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), drowning is a preventable global public health emergency that kills around 300,000 people a year, or 30 people every hour on average.

In addition to the numbers, many more cases in isolated areas go unreported, underscoring the problem as a serious yet underappreciated threat to public health.

Drowning can result in death, long-term health problems, or disability, hence it is important to raise awareness of this issue by educating the public on how to save lives.

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Although flooding is a common cause of drowning, swimming pools, natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers, and residential water storage facilities are the most common locations. As a result, preventing drowning necessitates ongoing supervision, physical barriers, and critical water safety education.

Additionally, training in basic water rescue techniques and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an emergency lifesaving operation carried out when the heart stops beating, is crucial.

It is important for parents and community people to learn how to react to an emergency without endangering themselves.

There is the need to install a fence around any body of water near your house, such as a pond or pool, to keep children from walking in unattended. Keep an eye on your children and avoid becoming sidetracked by your phone or talking to someone else.

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The Spectator agrees with the WHO’s recommendation to cover more water sources, including cisterns, wells, and water containers, in order to avoid an accidental fall. When not in use, keep bathroom and laundry room doors locked and empty buckets, containers, and portable pools.

Teaching school-age children over six years old the fundamentals of swimming and water safety is one of the best approaches to prevent drowning.

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