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Ghana Deepens Fight Against Gender-Based Violence with National Men’s Conference
Ghana has taken a significant step to strengthen its response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) with the organisation of a National Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The conference brought together policymakers, Members of Parliament, traditional and faith leaders, transport unions, civil society organisations, development partners, academia, and the media to examine the critical role of men in building a just, safe, and equitable society.
Addressing participants, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, underscored the central role of men and boys in ending sexual and gender-based violence. She explained that promoting positive masculinity benefits both men and women by challenging harmful norms that limit emotional expression, fuel violence, and create unsafe conditions in homes and communities.
Dr. Lartey highlighted key government-led initiatives aimed at advancing gender equality, including the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, the Social Protection Act, Men and Boys Clubs, mentorship programmes, Domestic Violence Response Centres in markets, and digital support platforms such as the Orange Support Centre and the Boame App.
According to her, the conference was designed to spark a nationwide conversation on rethinking masculinity. “Positive masculinity empowers men to lead with empathy, responsibility, and respect, helping to build safer families and peaceful communities,” she stated.
The UNFPA Resident Representative, Dr. Wilfred Ochan, commended the Government of Ghana for championing a dialogue that aligns with UNFPA’s global male engagement agenda. He noted that deeply rooted cultural, religious, and traditional norms could be transformed to promote dignity, equality, and shared responsibility between men and women.
Representing the Chief of Staff, the Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Bodies, Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, described gender-based violence as a serious threat to national cohesion, stressing that every act of abuse weakens the moral fabric of the nation. He clarified that the conference was not about blaming men, but about inspiring them to become protectors, peacemakers, and positive role models.
“When men speak up, cultures shift. When men choose respect, households transform,” he said.
By Spectator Reporter
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Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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