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Gender advocates call for quality care for women’s sexual, reproductive health
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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The newly appointed Managing Director of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Dr Isaac Okpoti Nai, has urged staff of the corporation to play their part in advancing the growth and success of the organisation, stressing that every employee has a crucial role to play in achieving its goals.
According to him, it was important for staff to see themselves as owners of the institution and work together to achieve its goals to remain sustainable.
Dr Nai made the remarks when he was introduced to staff last Friday.
“You need to work as though the company belongs to you. You are not doing it for me; take ownership. Let us work as a team,” he said.
He urged employees to be committed to their duties, respect time and meet deadlines, adding that teamwork and responsibility were key to the growth of the organisation.
Dr Nai also thanked staff for their hard work and dedication over the years and praised them for contributing to the growth of the corporation.
The Board Chairman, Prof. Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, expressed confidence in Dr Nai and wished him success in his new role.
A Board Member and Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee, Dr Charity Binka, also urged staff to give him their full support to enable him to succeed.
Dr Nai is an experienced management executive, academic and corporate leader with more than 25 years of experience in finance, administration, corporate governance, strategic planning, auditing and organisational leadership in Ghana and the United Kingdom.
Before his appointment, he served as General Manager in charge of Finance and Administration at the State Housing Company Limited. He has also held senior positions at the Ghana Integrity Initiative, the Central Region Development Commission, the London Boroughs of Croydon and Merton, and Ananemantey & Co.
His experience spans both the public and private sectors, including development organisations, local government institutions, financial institutions and higher education institutions. He has also lectured in Accounting, Finance, Taxation and Management.
Dr Nai holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree in Financial Management from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management from the University of Greenwich, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Oxford Brookes University.
He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICA).
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Sunday night belonged to Ghana’s screen royalty, the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City transformed into a runway of dreams as actors, filmmakers, and creatives rolled in for the 15th Ghana Movie Awards under the theme “Rewarding African Excellence.”
The red carpet didn’t just glow, it roared. From bold traditional wears to sleek couture, the movie fraternity showed up and showed out.
Kafui Danku, Nana Akua Addo, Yvonne Nelson, Hajia 4Reall, Kofi Okyere Darko, Juliet Ibrahim, James Gardiner, Clemento Suarez, Jackie Appiah, Kwaku Manu, Akabenezer, and Nigeria’s Deyemi Okanlawon led a constellation of stars who lit up the night.
Their patterns, colour play, and statement accessories turned Kempinski into Accra’s fashion capital for one night.
It wasn’t just about the looks. The night delivered wins that mattered. Nana Ama McBrown, Dr. Likee, Kwadwo Nkansah, Mawuko Kuadzi, and Janet Ayensu were among the heavyweights who walked home with top honours, celebrating craft, consistency, and African storytelling.
Class, pomp, and pageantry met purpose, a reminder that Ghanaian and African cinema isn’t just entertaining but on a mission for greatness.
The Ghana Movie Awards (GMA) is one of the most prestigious award schemes in Ghana’s film industry.
The scheme was established by Ghanaian actor and producer Fred Nuamah, and has over the years celebrated excellence.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
