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Empowering women key to equality, overall development
Empowering women is a strategic move towards the attainment of equality and the overall development of Ghanaian society, Vice President, Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman has said.
According to her through innovations such as the Direct Aid Programme (DAP), women and the marginalised in Ghanaian society are being empowered.
The Vice President said this on Tuesday, when the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Berenice Owen-Jones, visited her to officially congratulate her on her new role and discuss issues of mutual interest to Ghana and Australia.
Prof Opoku–Agyeman noted that through innovations such as DAP, women and the marginalised in Ghanaian society are being empowered.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang was in awe of the huge interest and investment made by the Australian government in the country, which traverses mining, agriculture, industry, and community empowerment.
She commended Australia’s mining expertise and called for sustainable practices that align with Ghana’s developmental goals. “Our new administration is keen on partnerships that prioritise environmental protection and community development,” she said, emphasising the potential of joint ventures.
On her part, Ms Owen-Jones celebrated the historic rise of Professor Opoku-Agyemang as Ghana’s first female vice president, describing it as a great feat in the fight for equality and women’s empowerment.
She noted that many women and girls across the country and beyond would be inspired by the outstanding achievement of Professor Opoku-Agyemang, who is also an accomplished educationist.
During the meeting, the two distinguished women exchanged knowledge on their respective countries’ plans for gender equality and climate change.
Berenice Owen-Jones said the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in Ghana was one initiative that was being used to empower women and ensure the growth of Ghana’s agriculture sector.
The initiative, she said, would foster collaborative research and innovation in agriculture, supporting the government’s mechanised farming agenda and efforts toward food self-sufficiency.
The High Commissioner also highlighted Australia’s significant mining investments in West Africa, valued at $30 billion, with Ghana hosting a substantial share.
She expressed enthusiasm about Atlantic Lithium’s upcoming project in Ghana, pending parliamentary ratification of its mining license. The project promises to generate over 900 direct jobs for Ghanaians, boosting local economies.
By Spectator Reporter
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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