News
Don’t lift heavy loads…Physiotherapist cautions women
Women have been advised against lifting heavy loads and engaging in activities that put strain on their pelvic muscle.
“Women tend to have a lot of health-related problems which are not given the needed attention due to a number of socioeconomic commitments they make for themselves and their families,” Ms Anna Hughton, a Physiotherapist and Clinic Director at the Accra Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic said in an interview with The Spectator.
She said that, even where there were abnormal signs some women ‘put them aside’ and went about their usual daily activities.
The pelvic area, she said, “is one of the sections where women have problems and prolapse is one of the conditions.”
Prolapse, she explained, was when “the pelvic organ which supports the uterus, bladder and other organs, gets out of place and starts to drop beyond the normal place where it is supposed to be.”
This condition, she said, could be mild or severe and could emerge as a result of child birth or when women put excessive strain on the pelvic muscle.
Causes
Stressing on a number of causes of the prolapse she said, “Frequently straining while trying to pick heavy loads, a lot of pushing during the delivery process and pregnancy with a heavy baby can put pressure on the pelvic floor and make it weak to cause a prolapse.”
Whilst menopausal women could be exposed to prolapse due to a reduction in the hormones that straighten the pelvic floor muscle, some lifestyle activities such as heavy smoking associated with constant cough could also predispose one to having a prolapse.
“A heavy smoker who coughs constantly strains the pelvic floor making it weaken; she stressed”.
Being obese can cause general weakness including a weakened pelvic floor because the weight of the body and the abdomen can put pressure on the pelvic floor and contribute to prolapse.
Unexpectedly, women who also generally do not engage in exercises to keep the pelvic floor strong are likely to have a prolapse because “the pelvic floor is what supports the uterus, the bladder and the rectum so if it weakens, any of these organs can also drop,” Ms Hughton said.
Constipation coupled with not having good bowel movement she stated, could lead to prolapse and explained that “this happens when one strains constantly to free the bowel, overtime, the pelvic floor is weakened and can also cause a prolapse.”
Symptoms
She gave some symptoms of prolapse as: A feeling of pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area, if you stand, you can see a bulge; urinary problems such as leaking of urine or a chronic urge to urinate; a feeling that something is coming out of the vagina; Constipation among others.
What to do
Depending on the level of the condition, pelvic floor exercises could help at the early stages of prolapse.
- Avoid the lifting of heavy things or an activity that increases the pressure on the pelvic floor.
- Maintain a balance between the abdominal pressure and the pelvic floor pressure and refrain from activities that strain the pelvic floor muscle.
- Pelvic floor muscle exercise can help and it can help also during delivery, maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking.
- Women who experience such conditions should visit a qualified physiotherapist.
By Portia Hutton-Mills
The Ashanti Regional Police Command says it has arrested five suspected robbers in two separate intelligence-led operations within the Kumasi Metropolis.
According to the Police, two of the suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery and murder of a 28-year-old woman, Silver Ngozi, at Asokore Mampong on December 6, 2025, around 5:00 pm.
The Police explained that following investigations, a joint team from the Regional Police Headquarters and the Anti-Robbery Unit arrested the two suspects on December 12, 2025, at about 9:00 pm at their hideout in Aboabo, Kumasi.
The suspects, Police said, are Farouk Iddris, a 20-year-old motorbike mechanic and rider, and Salim Mohammed, a 19-year-old motorbike mechanic and rickshaw rider.
Police indicated that preliminary investigations show the suspects robbed the victim, during which one of them allegedly stabbed her, leading to her death.
A search conducted in the room of Farouk Iddris, the Police said, led to the retrieval of knives, a machete, and other offensive weapons. An iPhone 11 Pro believed to belong to the deceased was also recovered.
The Police added that both suspects are currently in custody assisting with investigations and will be put before court.
In a related development, the Police said three other suspects were arrested in connection with a series of street robberies within Asokore Mampong, KNUST, Kanyase, Bosore, Duase, Antoa, Mayanka, Ayeduase, and nearby areas.
The Police identified the suspects as Abdul Fatawu, also known as “UN,” aged 22; Philip Nyarko, also known as “Kawawa,” aged 24; and Samak Hadi, also known as “Toronto,” aged 21.
According to the Police, items retrieved from their hideouts at Aboabo include 59 iPhones, six Android phones, four tablets, and five laptops.
The Police said all three suspects have confessed to the offences in their caution statements and are currently assisting with investigations.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has appealed to members of the public who may have been victims of these robberies to report to the Police to help with investigations.
The Police assured the public that all suspects will be arraigned before court as investigations continue.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Martha Korsah has been crowned the 4th Ultimate Akye3de3 Kese3 winner in a ceremony held at the Electroland Ghana Limited Mankessim branch.
She walked away with electronic items worth GHC100,000, including a NASCO SMART 43-inch TV, chest freezer, double door standing fridge, 2.0 Air conditioner, twin tub washing machine, and more.
The event also saw about 200 lucky customers in Mankessim and close towns rewarded with items such as 24-inch NASCO TVs, microwaves, industrial blenders, and home theatres for participating in the ongoing customer loyalty reward scheme since October 2024.
Adiza Ibrahim, Head of Marketing & Media Relations at Electroland Ghana Limited, expressed excitement about the company’s customer-centric approach, offering value for money and discounts on products from SAMSUNG, TCL, Midea, and NASCO.
She noted that the aim is to leave a lasting impression on customers and factor them into the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.
“The exceptional customer experience I get from EGL is what keeps bringing me back to buy at least 3 times every week,” said Martha Korsah, the 4th winner. “I have become the go-to person for friends and family abroad seeking electronics for their Ghana projects.”
The EGL Akye3de3 Kese3 promotion is a flagship customer loyalty reward scheme for customers who buy from SAMSUNG, TCL, Midea, and NASCO. The grand prizes include a full SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS house makeover, a Midea Electronics house makeover, and an all-expense-paid trip to Morocco to watch live soccer, and a TCL Electronics house makeover.
Electroland Ghana Limited is the leading consumer electronics company in Ghana, distributing SAMSUNG, TCL, Midea, and NASCO products.
