News
Give women opportunity to grow for impact Director-General of GAEC
The Director-General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), Professor Samuel Boakye Dampare, has called on institutions to foster an environment that encourages women to put up their best effort in order to obtain possibilities for advancement and influence.
According to Prof. Dampare, “when we support and invest in women, we strengthen families, institutions, and society as a whole.”
Prof. Dampare made this revelation during the GAEC Ladies Associations (GLA’s) recent International Women’s Day (IWD) and Handing-Over ceremony in Accra.
Sister Ladies’ associations and other guests attended the event, which had as its theme: ‘Giving to Gain: The Power of Women’s Voices in Shaping Society.’
Recognising the contributions of the GLA over the years, he said, “You have greatly improved staff welfare, encouraged unity, and strengthened the social fabric of this institution through your dedication and commitment.”
The Director-General once more praised the ladies for building a network of support that encourages staff members’ emotional health, professional development, and mentoring.
Prof. Dampare, who was also chairman for the occasion, said “Today’s ceremony is not just a formality, but a celebration of continuity, growth, and renewed commitment.”
“You have improved workplace morale, promoted departmental collaboration, and given women a platform to develop leadership skills and confidence,” he continued.
He said their impact had been equally spectacular through outreach programmes, health education projects, community support activities, and charitable engagements that have improved lives, raised awareness, and demonstrated the commission’s commitment to social responsibility.
He, therefore, asked the incoming executives to build on the strong foundation established and lead with integrity, inclusivity, and innovation while praising the outgoing executives for their outstanding leadership and committed service.
The special Guest of Honour, Mrs. Suweibatu Adam Esq., Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MEST), said empowering women was not optional; it’s essential.
“We create stronger institutions and a more resilient country when women are given the opportunity to lead, speak, and influence decisions.”
“For this reason, we continue to promote gender equity, capacity building, and inclusive participation across all sectors under our mandate,” she stated.
She praised GAEC women for their commitment to promoting harmony, career advancement, and social influence among women.
“Your efforts show that individual voices are amplified through collective action. I urge both outgoing and new executives to continue their dedication to teamwork, mentoring, and meaningful service as you transition leadership today,” she continued.
In addition to continuing to provide opportunities for women to flourish, speak, and lead with confidence, he challenged the incoming leadership to lead with vision, ethics, and inclusivity.
The keynote speaker, Professor Josephine Dzahene-Quarshie, Dean of the School of Languages and Linguistics at the University of Ghana, Legon, welcomed the commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD), which honours women’s contributions in the fields of science, politics, education, and the arts.
“It serves as a focal point for action against gender-based violence, inequality, and discrimination. And it’s still a call to action as much as a celebration because discrimination against women still exists,” she said.
Citing this year’s UNESCO theme: ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls, she said “it reminds us that when rights are denied, inequalities deepen and tensions grow´ therefore “It is a call to address the root causes of injustice, strengthen protection frameworks, and support policies that respond to the real needs of women and girls.”
Professor Dzahene-Quarshie encouraged the women to make more of an impact because when women give, society not only advances but also gets its conscience and future.
Rev. Dr (Mrs) Eunice Agyarko-Mintah, President of GLA, urged the women to support the new executives so they can succeed.
By Spectator Reporter
A woman who is accused of bolting with ‘susu’ money totaling GH₵156,445 has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.
Martha Nana Esi Afful was alleged to have collected the money from 35 complainants.
Charged with 35 counts of fraudulent breach of trust, Martha, who was earlier remanded, pleaded not guilty.
The court, presided over by Mr Joseph Y. Kuunsong on Wednesday, admitted the accused person to a GH₵200,000 bail with two sureties.
One of the sureties, the court said, must be a public servant earning not less than GH₵5,000.
She is expected to reappear on August 12, 2026.
The Prosecution’s case before the court is that the complainants are traders and residents at La in Accra.
Prosecution described Martha as a ‘Susu’ collector, who resided at Burma Camp.
The court heard that the accused person run a business with the name ‘ZOE’ and she deceived the 35 complainants into believing that she collected ‘Susu’ daily, which was kept for a period of one-three years, and paid interest on the money invested.
The complainants contributed in 2023 for a three-year period, prosecution said.
In December 2025, when the complainants went to take their money with interest, Martha went into hiding and only took phone calls from a few complainants.
Prosecution said the accused provided a MTN Momo number through which a few of the complainants still paid monies.
It said all efforts made to collect the money, totaling GH₵156,445 from her, proved futile.
On June 14, 2026, a report was made to the police and Martha was picked up at a washing bay at Tse Addo.
During interrogation, she admitted the offence in her caution statement, saying she lost her husband and relocated to Swedru in the Central Region, hence the complainants were unable to reach her from December 2025 till date.
Prosecution said Martha further stated that she had invested the monies into refuse collection business and she needed time to pay the amount.
Police are investigating the claims. –GNA
A Public Health Nurse at the Roman Ridge Sub-Municipal of the Ayawaso West Health Directorate, Ms Patience Adoli Kporxah, has cautioned the public against coming into contact with floodwaters, warning that exposure can lead to serious diseases, infections and injuries.
Floodwater, she said, should always be treated as contaminated, regardless of how clean it appears, because it may contain sewage, human and animal waste, chemicals, fuel, sharp objects and disease-causing micro-organisms.
In an interview with The Spectator in Accra on Thursday, Ms Kporxah explained that contact with contaminated floodwater exposes people to bacteria, viruses, parasites, hazardous chemicals and other physical hazards that can result in illness or injury.
Her advice came in the wake of recent exposure to floodwater following Monday’s torrential rains that left vast areas of the capital flooded.
As a result, a lot of people were seen either ‘swimming’ in the floodwater to rescue people or retrieving items being washed away.
According to her, exposure to floodwater could cause skin infections, particularly where there are cuts or open wounds, as well as diarrhoea diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and other forms of gastroenteritis if contaminated water was swallowed.
Other health risks, she said include hepatitis A, eye and ear infections, tetanus in people with untreated wounds or incomplete vaccination, and injuries from submerged sharp objects, debris or electrical hazards.
Ms Kporxah advised anyone who had contact with floodwater to monitor their health closely and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe headache, muscle aches, skin rash, difficulty breathing, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
She also urged people whose wounds became red, swollen, painful or begin to discharge pus, as well as those who accidentally swallow floodwater, to report to the nearest health facility without delay.
Although not everyone exposed to floodwater requires immediate treatment, she stressed that pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, individuals living with chronic illnesses and those with significant wounds should seek prompt medical evaluation.
On water safety, Ms Kporxah cautioned that rainwater was not automatically safe for drinking or cooking, especially during or after flooding. She explained that rainwater collected from roofs, gutters or open containers could be contaminated by bird and animal droppings, dust, leaves, bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemical pollutants.
She advised that rainwater intended for drinking should first be treated by boiling, chlorination or another approved water purification method before use.
Touching on food safety, Ms Kporxah said factory-sealed bottled drinks and canned foods with intact packaging might still be safe after flooding.
However, she stressed that any containers submerged in floodwater should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before handling. Foods in paper packaging, damaged containers or products with broken seals should be discarded because contaminated water may have seeped into them.
She further warned that flooding increases the risk of outbreaks of cholera, typhoid fever and other waterborne diseases through contaminated water sources.
In addition, she said flooding could contribute to respiratory illnesses in overcrowded shelters and mould-infested buildings, foodborne illnesses from spoiled or contaminated food, and mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression and trauma.
It could also disrupt access to medicines and healthcare for people living with chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, asthma and kidney disease.
Ms Kporxah therefore urged the public to practice good hygiene, avoid unnecessary contact with floodwater, consume only safe food and drinking water, and seek medical attention promptly whenever symptoms develop.
She said observing these preventive measures would help minimise the risk of disease outbreaks and protect lives as the country continues to experience heavy rains and flooding in some communities.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
