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Govts urged to reform political systems to accommodate women
Governments have been advised to systemically reform political systems to elevate women’s participation in politics.
Dubbed the 2025 Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace Forum, the event brought together political leaders, diplomats, civil society actors, and regional experts from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Australia.
It was under the theme “Amplifying Women’s Voices in Democratic and Political Transitions,”
Also in attendance was Ghana’s Minister of The Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka who represented the President, John Dramani Mahama.
Addressing the delegates, the Liberia Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Musu Ruhle, said true empowerment of women demands structural changes in political parties, electoral financing, customary law, and transitional justice.
Referencing Liberia’s post-war experience, she highlighted how grassroot women’s peace initiatives ended 14 years of conflict, yet many of those women remained excluded from decision-making.
“Democracy cannot survive unless women have an equal say; security will not be complete until every woman wherever she lives feels safe, heard, and respected,” she stated.
Adding her voice to the call, the Australia High Commissioner to Ghana, Mrs Berenice Owen-Jones, affirmed her country’s deepening engagement with Africa and its global leadership on peace building.
Ms Owen-Jones announced Australia’s increased voluntary contribution of $15 million annually to the UN Peace building Fund and its leadership in developing a Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, with support from Sierra Leone and other humanitarian actors.
Underscoring gender equality as “a primary predictor of peace, even more so than a state’s wealth or political system,” she reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Adding his voice, the Minister for The Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, noted that, the government was commitment to peace, inclusive governance, and regional security to promote stability in the country.
“Peace is not merely the absence of war, it is the presence of justice, inclusive governance and respect for human dignity,” he said.
The Sierra Leone High Commissioner, Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, urged governments to reform political systems to make room not just for women’s presence but for their power.
The forum held in Accra on Friday was organised by the Australian High Commission in partnership with the Embassy of Liberia in Ghana, the High Commission of Sierra Leone in Ghana, the West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP) and the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS).
By Cecilia Yada Lagba
News
Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
