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Don’t stigmatise women with mental health challenge — DDP Ashong-Mettle
A Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP), Yayra Ashong-Mettle, is urging society to refrain from stigmatising women with mental health disorders.
Rather, such persons, she stressed, must be empowered and approach issues regarding such people with resilience.
DDP Ashong-Mettle, an Officer-In-Charge of the Senior Correctional Centre, gave the advice during an interaction with female officers at the Senior Correctional Centre in Accra last week,
Addressing both senior and junior female officers at the station, she noted that, mental health was a critical aspect of an individual’s overall well-being, but often overlooked in the society.
The Officer-In-Charge also disclosed that, mental health issues were often stigmatised and misunderstood in the society, simply due to cultural beliefs and lack of awareness.
She enumerated depression, stress, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as some of the forms of mental health disorders officers’ deal with, adding that it was important to intensify awareness in order to help combat it.
Stigma to the aforementioned mental disorders, she emphasised, could often lead to social exclusion, loneliness and feeling of shame which could in the long-run worsen the issue.
She urged women in the society to collectively help in combating stigma related issues concerning female mental health disorders and also safeguard their mental well-being.
“Let us avoid the use of derogatory terms that perpetuates stigma to mental health, because it affects productivity at work and affects relationships”, the OIC expatiated.
Also, Dr Erica Dickson, a Clinical Psychologist at the 37 Military Hospital, urged officers and women to safeguard their mental well-being as a priority and galvanised them not to be overwhelmed with stress.
Dr Dickson again encouraged women to boldly come out from every mental disorder to seek psychological support from experts in order to have a productive life devoid of mental disorder.
Superintendent Dr Florence Djoeletoe, a Medical Doctor with the Ghana Prisons Service, who facilitated the programme with support from DSP Jessica Lartey and other officers, thrilled female officers with fun activities to climax the Gender Week Celebration marked by SCC.
Activities include basic makeup and baking tutorials coupled with an artistic “Sip and Paint” sessions to amuse officers as part of stress management.
Senior male officers who were specially invited were DDP Dr Adama Okai, the Chaplain General of the Ghana Prisons Service and Assistant Director of Prisons, Roland Suurbesig, Second-In-Command of the Senior Correctional Centre and ASP Enoch Kusi Boadum.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
News
President Mahama swears in last batch of deputy ministers of state at the presidency
The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has sworn in four deputy minister designates at the presidency.
The deputy ministers are Dorcas Affo Toffey for Transport; James Gyakye Quayson for Foreign Affairs; Mohammed A. Sukparu for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations; and Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu Danquah for Health.
President Mahama administered the Oaths of Allegiance, Office and Secrecy, and presented each appointee with an instrument of office in the national colours, red, gold and green.
He noted that this final swearing-in completes the formation of his government’s ministerial team, totaling 60 appointees.
He described this as a clear sign of his commitment to a purposeful and efficient administration.
According to the President, only ministries with heavier workloads and broader responsibilities are assigned deputy ministers.
He stated that his administration is focused on achieving real results and not merely filling positions.
He urged the new deputies to work closely with their sector ministers, remain humble and serve with integrity and accountability.
President Mahama highlighted that the size of government had been reduced, and cost-saving measures such as cuts in fuel allocations and travel budgets were freeing up funds for key sectors like health, education, infrastructure and energy.
He shared encouraging signs of economic recovery, including a drop in inflation, a stronger cedi, improved GDP growth and successful payments to bondholders, students and public schools all without a supplementary budget.
The President condemned a recent incident involving the manhandling of a joy news journalist by military personnel.
He described the act as unacceptable and assured that investigations and sanctions would follow.
Speaking on behalf of the new deputy ministers, Mohammed A. Sukparu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve.
He pledged their full commitment to the President’s vision and promised they would not disappoint the Ghanaian people.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Government to train chiefs in Volta Region to resolve disputes and improve local governance – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy will roll out capacity building workshops to strengthen the leadership of traditional rulers in the Volta Region.
The initiative, he said, is part of a bigger plan to enhance the role of chiefs in governance, conflict resolution, and community development particularly in Volta, where chieftaincy disputes are on the rise.
According to the President, the workshops will equip chiefs and traditional council staff with the skills and knowledge to manage disputes, handle community affairs, and better understand their statutory responsibilities.
He made this known during a high-level engagement with the Volta Region House of Chiefs at the Flagstaff House.
The chiefs had raised concerns about the increasing number of unresolved chieftaincy disputes and the limited capacity of newly inaugurated traditional councils.
President Mahama acknowledged the challenges and said government would provide direct funding to support these workshops and ensure that traditional leaders in the region are empowered to function effectively.
He stressed that strengthening the institution of chieftaincy was critical to maintaining peace and stability at the community level, and would support efforts in decentralization and grassroots development.
The President also expressed hope that the ongoing constitutional review process would capture the views of traditional authorities particularly in enhancing their role in sanitation, civic education, and environmental management.
President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, welcomed the announcement and said the Volta regional house of chiefs was ready to partner with the government to resolve disputes and promote development at the local level.
By: Jacob Aggrey
