News
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
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
GHANA celebrated her 69th Independence Anniversary last Friday with colourful parades across all 16 regions of the country.
This year’s theme: ‘Reflect, Review, Reset,’ emphasised the importance of reflecting on the nation’s journey, assessing its current state, and planning for a brighter future.
At the Jubilee House, dignitaries present were President John Mahama, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former Presidents, Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor, behalf of the President, former President of Tanzania, and other distinguished guests.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, addressed the nation at the seat of government whiles Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives addressed their various assemblies on.
As part of the celebrations, school children paraded and displayed their marching skills whiles others performed cultural and other social activities to mark the day across the regions.
IN the heart of Ghana’s Central Region, Abura Dunkwa in the Abura-Asebu- Kwamankese District has been shaken by a dramatic rupture in its traditional leadership.
Nana Obo Kwefuah VIII, once the Gyasehene of the town, has been stripped off his stool after allegations of misconduct — including a clandestine romantic relationship with the community’s fetish priestess.
The Odompem Adwenadze Royal Family announced the destoolment last weekend, after months of mounting tension in the town.
Abusuapanyin Kwame Essoun, who led the process, declared that the chief’s removal was justified by both ritual neglect and personal indiscretions.
“He has refused to perform the necessary rites during festivals,” Essoun explained. And his affair with a fetish priestess is against our traditions,” he added.
Family elders echoed the decision. Obaapanyin Aba Appiawa revealed that repeated summons over five months were ignored.
“We invited him several times, but he didn’t come. I fully support the decision to destool him,” she said firmly.
Destoolment remains one of the most powerful disciplinary tools in Ghana’s chieftaincy system. Rooted in centuries of custom, it is the formal removal of a chief deemed unfit to serve — whether for corruption, abuse of power, neglect of ritual duties, or moral failings.
In Akan tradition, chiefs are not merely political figures; they are custodians of spiritual balance. Their authority rests on their ability to perform rites, uphold taboos, and embody moral integrity. A breach of these responsibilities can destabilise the community, making destoolment both a corrective measure and a symbolic act of purification.
“Chiefs are expected to remain above reproach,” said a local elder who requested anonymity. “When they fail, the stool itself loses respect.”
A close relative of the destooled chief, who resides at Abura Abaka near Abura Dunkwa, told The Spectator that Nana Kwefuah had been in a secret relationship with the priestess for a long time. He expressed surprise that the matter had now erupted into public view
From Kingsley E. Hope
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
