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Focus on education not dressing, makeup
Nana Ogyedom Ama Tsetsewa I
The Osumpahen of Gomoa Akyempin Traditional Council, Nana Ogyedom Ama Tsetsewa I, has asked women to pursue education and skills learning to put value on themselves.
In her view, women were gradually relegating issues about their education, skills learning and other ways of putting value on themselves to the background and rather seemed to be focusing on dressing well to look good.
“Much as a good appearance is not bad in itself, it was gradually becoming the most important thing in the life of many ladies, relegating other ways of adding value to themselves to the background,” she claimed.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator on Tuesday, Nana Tsetsewa I said “Enough of the dressing and makeup. Every woman must strive to add intellectual value or have a skill to complement her looks.”
“Now when you engage many young ladies in a conversation, they appear more concerned about wearing makeup, beautiful dresses and pair of shoes. It is so disappointing that knowledge acquisition has become secondary,” she said.
Doubling as the Mankrado of Gomoa Oguan and also an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioner, she said women play critical role in the society, and as the first person a child comes into contact with, it was good to add quality to her life so that she could pass on same.
Nana Tsetsewa I said the great women recognised in the history of Ghana were not celebrated because of their biological or physical appearance, but because of their intellectual attraction or empowerment and impact on society.
She said if women did not try harder as a group or individuals to add value to themselves, females would have only a handful of voices to represent them when it comes to making important decisions.
She said that women had all it took to make an impact on fields such as security, engineering, religion, tradition, media, academia, health, among others and urged them to go all out for it.
“Some women have paved the way to show that we can excel wherever we find ourselves. Mrs Gifty Afenyi Dadzie excelled in the Ghanaian media. So was American Talk Show hostess, Oprah Winfrey, in her field. In politics, former Liberian President, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, showed her prowess. Warrior queen mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Empire, Yaa Asantewaa, also made an impact on the traditional landscape.”
“If a woman empowers herself, she could stand up for herself and others and so unhealthy practices such as widowhood rites, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and abuse of many forms would be reduced,” she said.
In reference to the axiom “behind every successful man, there is a woman”, she stated that role can be performed in several capacities as wives, mothers, sisters or daughters, adding that “in all of them, women still play roles to inspire greatness in men to make the world a better place”.
She encouraged the youth to invest most of their time and energy in education, skills training or any other thing that would make them responsible in future.
Nana Ogyedom Tsetsewa I also advised healthy lifestyles and good eating habits to ensure good health because health is wealth.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
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Focus on more pressing issues like Galamsey, not hate speech – Ellen Ama Daaku to Mahama
An aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,Ellen Ama Daaku has advised President John Dramani Mahama to shift his attention from social media hate speech to more urgent national issues such as illegal mining.
Speaking in an interview, she noted that the President’s recent comments about tracking the IP addresses of people who spread hate speech were unnecessary.
According to her, President Mahama must first define what he considers to be hate speech before seeking to punish people for it.
Ms. Daaku argued that the President himself had benefitted from hate speech and social media attacks in the past when he was in opposition.
She said even during his time in government, he described his opponents and their tribesmen in unpalatable terms, which later drew complaints from former President Nana Akufo-Addo to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
She stressed that harsh criticism of leaders on social media should not automatically be considered hate speech, adding that former leaders, including former President Nana Akufo-Addo had all been subjected to it.
“He is only feeling what Nana Akufo-Addo went through for eight years,” she remarked.
While acknowledging the need to regulate misconduct online, Ms. Daaku insisted that going after social media activists should not be a priority.
She noted that many political activists, including herself, had been insulted and attacked online but never called for arrests.
She concluded that President Mahama should focus his energy on solving pressing problems such as galamsey and the economy instead of concentrating on critics on social media.
By: Jacob Aggrey
