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Gender Ministry condemns video of child forced to smoke
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The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has condemned a viral video that shows a group of men forcing a young child to smoke a cigarette.
The Ministry described the act as abuse and a violation of the child’s rights.
It explained that exposing a child to harmful substances is an offence under Ghana’s Children’s Act, which requires that all children be protected from physical, psychological, and moral harm.
The incident, according to the Ministry, also goes against the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy, which calls for children to be raised in safe and nurturing environments.
The Ministry cautioned parents, guardians, caregivers, and the public to uphold their responsibility to protect children from harm.
It stressed that actions that endanger children are unacceptable and punishable by law.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection referred the video to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service for immediate action.
The Ministry urged the police to move quickly to arrest and prosecute those involved.
With the world approaching the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, the Ministry called on families, traditional leaders, religious groups, and civil society to intensify efforts to prevent violence and protect vulnerable people, especially women and children.
It said the incident is a reminder of the urgent need to shield children from all forms of abuse, adding that the protection of children is a shared duty for everyone.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has questioned why Ghana continues to import toothpicks despite having the resources to produce them locally.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Iddrisu, who previously served as Minister for Trade and Industry, said he feels ashamed that the country still depends on imports for such a basic product.
“I have been Minister for Trade and Industry before and I carry the shame. How come that in Ghana we cannot produce toothpicks and we have to import them?” he asked.
According to him, Ghana has enough resources to support local businesses to manufacture products such as toothpicks instead of relying on imports. He said the country should encourage private sector investment in manufacturing to create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign goods.
Mr. Iddrisu alleged that some people who received government support under private sector initiatives failed to use the funds for their intended purpose.
“If you want, Honorable Kojo, because you… I can’t go there. There are people who took money in the name of the private sector and said they were going to farm. That money never went to their farms. You know that,” he told Parliament.
On job creation, the Education Minister said he agreed with the views expressed by a colleague on the need to create more employment opportunities. However, he argued that the One District, One Factory (1D1F) programme did not provide the solution to Ghana’s employment challenges.
Mr. Iddrisu made the remarks during parliamentary proceedings while contributing to discussions on job creation and the country’s industrial development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications officer, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has dismissed reports linking him to an alleged GH¢55 million case, insisting that no such issue was raised during his detention by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
In a Facebook post after his release from EOCO custody, Mr Aboagye stated that at no point during his detention was he questioned about any GH¢55 million.
“For the records: There was no discussion of any GH¢55 million with me by EOCO. None,” he wrote.
According to him, he was detained for four days, a day after announcing his intention to contest for the position of National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party.
Mr Aboagye alleged that false narratives were circulated about his arrest but expressed confidence that the truth would eventually prevail.
He thanked NPP supporters who demonstrated and called for his release, saying news of the protests reached him while he was in detention and encouraged him.
Mr Aboagye indicated that the support shown by party faithful strengthened his resolve and reaffirmed his commitment to serve the NPP.
He maintained that his detention had not discouraged him from pursuing his political ambition.
“If the intention was to break me, it has failed. If the intention was to scare me, it has failed spectacularly,” he stated.
Mr Aboagye expressed appreciation to his legal team, the leadership of the NPP and all supporters who stood by him throughout his detention.
He reiterated his determination to lead the party’s Communications Directorate, declaring that he remained “ready to win” and committed to what he described as the party’s mission to “command the narrative.”
By: Jacob Aggrey
