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Gender advocates call for quality care for women’s sexual, reproductive health

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GENDER and women’s rights advocates have called for increased attention to women’s sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in order to improve their overall wellbeing.
In separate statements to mark International Women’s Day (IWD), the experts stressed that sexual and reproductive health remained a vital component of women’s total health and must be prioritised to ensure better access to quality care.
The Country Director of MSI Reproductive Choices, Demi Priscilla Letsa, speaking at a high-level panel discussion to commemorate the day, said challenges such as limited access to SRH services, disparities in service delivery and the uneven distribution of specialists across the country continued to affect the quality of care available to women.
According to her, the shortage of trained health professionals, including obstetricians, gynaecologists and midwives skilled in providing long-acting contraceptive services, remains a major challenge within the health system.
“There are not enough obstetricians, gynaecologists and even midwives who are appropriately trained to offer long-acting contraceptive methods. On an occasion like this, we want to highlight these issues so that as a country we can take deliberate steps to address them,” she stated.
Dr Letsa called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen reproductive health services nationwide.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation, Rasha Kelej, reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to empowering women and girls through various development programmes.
“At Merck Foundation, empowering women and girls is not confined to a single day; rather it is embedded in everything we do. It shapes our vision and guides our programmes,” she said.
Dr Kelej encouraged women to pursue their ambitions and contribute meaningfully to society.
This year’s IWD observed on the theme: ‘Rights. Justice. Action: For All Women and Girls,’ highlights the need to advance gender equality and protect the rights of women and girls worldwide
By Abigail Annoh
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Police arrest former boxer Ayitey Powers over alleged death threat on NSA boss

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
News
Afenyo Markin sues Sammy Gyamfi, Multimedia for alleged defamation

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








