News
GREL HANDS OVER TWO WATER PROJECTS TO CHAVENE AND ELLOBANKATA.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL), Mr. Lionel Barre has advised the people of Chavene and Ellobankata both in the Ahanta Municipality of the Western Region to consider the two Water Projects the company has provided their own and maintain them.
He said the time government built infrastructure and maintained them for the communities had outlived its usefulness so beneficiary communities of government, Non-Governmental Organisations or philanthropists projects should take good care of them.
The Corporate Affairs Manager of GREL, Mr. Perry Acheampong was reading the Managing Director’s speech at the inauguration and handing over of two separate Water Projects undertaken by GREL at the cost of GH¢286, 100.00 at Chavene and Ellobankata, two farming communities. The Chavene Water Project cost GH¢93,500.00 while that of Ellobankata cost GH¢192,500.00.
He said GREL had been renowned through its many social intervention projects that it was championing in the 90 operational area communities in the Western, Central and Eastern regions of Ghana.
He said GREL believed it was essential to create and maintain a strong relationship with the stakeholders for improved livelihoods of residents in the operational areas by firmly holding on to their Sustainable Policy of Respect for Human Rights, Responsible Development of their Operations and Best Management Practices in line with National and International Laws Regulations and Conventions.
He said the water projects were in line with their SIFCA (GREL’s mother company) and GREL’s commitment to give meaning to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal Six (6) which talks of “Clean Water & Sanitation”.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Ahanta West Municipality, Mr. John K. Agyare observed that what the two communities had got was an expression of true love from GREL because anybody or organisation that brought water to a particular group of people actually gave such people life.
He said government alone could not meet all the social needs of the communities so companies, NGOs and individuals should try to complement government’s efforts by offering projects for some communities.
The Chairman of (ACLANGO) Association of Chiefs on Whose Lands GREL Operates, Nana Kwesi Agyeman IX, told the beneficiary communities to form workable committees to take control of the water projects and see to it that the projects worked very well.
The Vice Chairman of ACLANGO, Awulae Attibrukusu II noted that GREL had brought life to the people of these two communities who before then had no access to potable water.
He said the Water Project would allow people to lay pipe lines into their homes in order to have better access to the water making the walking of women and children to the river side to fetch water a thing of the past.
FROM PETER GBAMBILA, CHAVENA AND ELLOBANKATA.
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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