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Happy International Boy-child Day!
May 16 is International Boy-child Day….
I have all three of my most beloved as sons…….no daughters……..
….and yet I have celebrated International Women’s Day religiously; even finding a way to adapt the celebration of this day in a female college in Saudi Arabia with the Motawa at our gates in March 2015!
A shame I got to know about an International day for the Boy-child on May 16, a few months ago.
…but it is not ever too late to seek the empowerment of the Boy-child by ‘celebrating the unique potential and contributions of boys while also acknowledging the challenges they face. It’s a day to encourage their growth, empower them, and foster a supportive environment where they can thrive.’
Interesting to read this during my research of the International Boy-child Day as indeed it is not any different from all I have championed in celebrating the Girl-child; International Women’s day on March 8 each year.
Interesting also to note that EMPOWERMENT is the key objective in celebrating this ‘International Boy-child day.’
This should in my opinion call for a re-visit of the true meaning of ‘EMPOWERMENT’ which has been the main objective of most ‘Girl-child’ agendum; and now, ‘Boy-child agendum.
As my research into a celebration of an international Boy-child took its turns and twists, I couldn’t help but wonder how utopian a world it would be if all the ‘International Day celebrations’ for boys, girls, men or women were amalgamated into one BIG International EVERYDAY celebration for the entire EVERYBODY!!
A celebration where everybody felt empowered……
An EVERYDAY celebration where the entire EVERYBODY’s empowerment was acknowledged, respected and celebrated.
Taking a moment to picture how this will go for families who beget communities that beget societies that beget nations, that then meaningfully encompass us all in our entirety, further research led me to the following summaries:
Women Empowerment: ‘Promoting women’s sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves and others.’
Children Empowerment: Girl-child; Boy-child: Allowing children to become stronger and more confident, against a backdrop of the cultural, traditional and religious environment of their heritage and taking responsibilities for their actions.
Men Empowerment: Building confidence and self-esteem in a manner that makes them better placed to be great family men and true leaders of their communities.
Inherent in the above process of EMPOWERMENT for each one of us will be the strength to make sound choices; the grace also to acknowledge and respect the EMPOWERMENT of one another-the end result of this only making each individual, boy, girl, man, and woman a better version of themselves…
As we add May 16 to all the International-Day celebrations already known and celebrated, perhaps it is time to make everyday a celebration of a Happy Humanity Day; a daily celebration of our own EMPOWERMENT; of other people’s EMPOWERMENT.
By Dzigbordi B-A
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
