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Don’t stigmatise women with mental health challenge — DDP Ashong-Mettle
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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
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
