News
Gender Minister outlines plans to promote women, children’s wellbeing
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has reaffirmed her commitment to promoting the wellbeing of women and children across the country to impact national development.
Outlining bold initiatives including advancing women and children’s rights, commitment to gender equality, child protection and social welfare issues to reducing vulnerabilities to the barest minimum, the Minister called for multistakeholder support to achieving that.
She gave the assurance when she engaged some female journalists from selected media houses in Accra last Thursday.
The meeting was to strengthen media collaboration in amplifying women’s voices in the country while addressing challenges facing women and children in line with realising the Minister’s vision for the sector.
Underscoring the pivotal role, journalists play in shaping public perception and influencing policy advocacy, Dr Lartey said the media had the responsibility to push for a better ecosystem for Ghanaian women and children to thrive.
“I recognise the critical role women play in shaping public discourse but when it comes to women’s issues or gender, it is important to look out for those who can make the voices of women well articulated on issues so that together, we can build the Ghana we want to see which is why this meeting is important,” she explained.
The Minister indicated that as a matter of priority, the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act passed by parliament last year would be accelerated within her first 120 days in office.
She disclosed plans to also push for the Social Protection (SP) Bill to enhance Ghana’s social protection framework, offering stronger support to vulnerable populations.
Dr Lartey announced plans to decentralise the School Feeding Programme, increasing the current grant from GH₵1.50 to 2.00, to improve the quality of food given to children.
“We will ensure that if you cannot feed it to yourself or your children, you don’t feed it to others,” she emphasised.
Furthermore, Dr Lartey pointed out an intended partnership with other agencies and sector ministries to improve the economic empowerment of women as well as persons living with disability in the country.
In the area of gender-based violence, the Minister called for amendments to the Domestic Violence Act to enhance its effectiveness, announced plans also to establish shelters across all 16 regions of the country to provide safety and protection for survivors of abuse.
Veteran journalist and Chairperson of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), Ghana Chapter, Dr. Charity Binka, on behalf the journalists, congratulated the Minister on her appointment, pledging the unwavering support of colleagues to her and the Ministry in championing gender equality and social protection in Ghana.
By Abigail Annoh
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
