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Ghana Girl Guides calls for an increase in access to menstrual products
Madam Apprey addressing the girls
The Kokrobite chapter of the Ghana Girl Guides Association (GGGA) is advocating for an increase in access to menstrual products for girls in schools across the country to help promote menstrual hygiene among them.
Leader of the volunteeringgroup, Madam Paulyn Apprey said educating young girls on the dangers of not practicing menstrual hygiene alone was not enough as many girls resort to the use of unhygienic materials during their menstrual cycles, which increases their risks of contracting infections.
She made the call over the weekend at an event to commemorate the world menstrual hygiene day at the Sunbeam Foundation School at Kokrobite in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, organized by her outfit.
More than 200 schoolgirls from selected schools within the area were in attendance.
According to Madam Apprey, it was very necessary for measures to be put in place at all cost, to ensure girls do not skip school because they cannot not afford sanitary products for use during their menstrual cycles.
“Imagine girls missing classes four or five days each month all because they cannot afford to get themselves sanitary pads? This, if not checked will greatly affect their academic performance.”
“There are many young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds so supporting such children with free sanitary pads each month will go along way to boost their confidence and make them feel comfortable coming to school, no matter the time of the month,” she stressed.
To this end, she revealed that her outfit embarked on a project to provide Emergency Prepared Packs (EPP) containing sanitary pads, tissues and hand sanitisers for distribution to some school purposely to be given to girls on their periods each month at no cost.
The initiative, she said had increased the enrollment of girls in the schools where such sanitary products had been made available, adding that punctuality of girls in the schools had also improved significantly.
Madam Apprey therefore called on benevolent individuals and institutions to support the good cause “to ensure our girls do not miss school just because they cannot afford sanitary pad.”
A senior health educator at the public health unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Madam Eunice Nyankahsaid making girls familiar with menstrual hygiene practices was very necessary because proper hygiene practice during menstruation helps prevent bacteria growth, urinary tract infections and other reproductive health issues.
Explaining, she noted that educating girls about menstrual hygiene makes them understand how to take good care of themselves during their menstrual cycles and avoid potential health risks.
She also indicated that menstrual hygiene education goes a long way in boosting confidence of girls, as menstruation in some jurisdictions, is accompanied by feeling of shame and low self-esteem.
She also called on government to as a matter of urgency scrap taxes on menstrual products to make them affordable.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
The New Times Corporation (NTC) on Monday held its annual thanksgiving service, bringing together staff and management to reflect on the past year, express gratitude, and renew their commitment to the organisation’s growth.
At the service, the Deputy Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and a Board Member of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Madam Charity Binka, called for strong and intentional collaboration among staff, emphasising that unity and teamwork were crucial to transforming the corporation during its challenging times.
“This is a time to break silos, share ideas and work together as one team with a shared vision,” she said, adding that innovation and digital transformation must be embraced to secure NTC’s future.
Madam Binka expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the corporation and its employees despite financial and operational difficulties.
“Though the journey has not been smooth, God has sustained us. We are here today because of His grace,” she indicated, acknowledging the resilience and dedication of staff who have kept The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator among the country’s most respected newspapers.
Quoting Jeremiah 29:11, she encouraged staff to remain hopeful and confident that brighter days lie ahead.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. John Akorli of Word Divine International Ministry at Sukura, Accra, cautioned staff against excessive talking and gossip, warning that careless speech could create unnecessary problems.
Rev. Akorli further reminded staff that their identity should not be defined by past mistakes, family background, or negative labels.
He encouraged them to live confidently, depend on God’s guidance, and remain focused on their responsibilities, noting that spiritual awareness and discipline were essential to personal and organisational growth.
The service ended with prayers for unity, renewal, and a prosperous new chapter for the New Times Corporation.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Catholic Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese, Bishop Joseph Afrifa Agyekum, has expressed concern over the rising rate of divorce in the country, attributing the trend largely to inadequate knowledge about marriage and misplaced expectations of couples.
He said many marriages were collapsing because couples entered into the union without a clear understanding of the responsibilities, sacrifices and commitments that marriage demands.
The Bishop raised the concern while addressing congregants at the 50th anniversary of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church at Madina on Sunday.
According to him, marriage was increasingly being viewed through unrealistic lenses shaped by social media, peer pressure and material expectations, rather than mutual respect, patience and shared values.
“Many people go into marriage with expectations that are not grounded in reality. When those expectations are not met, conflict sets in and eventually leads to separation or divorce,” he observed.
The Bishop noted that some couples lacked proper preparation before marriage, adding that pre-marital counselling was often treated as a formality rather than an opportunity to gain deeper insight into marital life.
He stressed the need for churches, families and society to intensify education on marriage, particularly among the youth, to help them make informed decisions before entering into marital unions.
The Bishop also urged married couples to embrace dialogue, forgiveness and understanding, saying disagreements were inevitable but could be resolved through patience and commitment.
He urged couples experiencing challenges to seek counselling instead of resorting to separation, emphasising that strong families remained the foundation of a stable and progressive society.
By Kennedy Afedzi
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