News
Haunted (2)… continued from last week
In her dream, a man went to stand at her door and asked for a bottle of water. She told him she only had one sachet of water and he started laughing. She woke up with a start and could still hear the laughter.
She initially thought it was Fridman but that wasn’t his voice too. Convinced she was still dreaming, she closed her eyes and tried to sleep again but the laughter became hysterical and then she heard a knock at her door.
“Gizelle, I don’t know who is in there with you but can he tone it down? I want to sleep.”
That made her eyes fly open because she was alone and she could hear the laughter outside the room and not inside.
“But there is nobody here except me and I can hear the same laughter but it’s from outside the door and not inside here.”
“Really?”
Immediately, the voice stopped. She got up to open the door and felt an instant attraction but she curbed it. Fridman was a very cute guy and she really had a soft spot for cute but because they’d both agreed to just remain friends, she didn’t want to rock the boat.
They both agreed that maybe it wasn’t anything. Perhaps a figment of their imagination and went back into their rooms.
The next day, there was no incident but in the evening, Fridman could hear loud snoring. He hated snorers but decided to let it go because Gizelle was exhausted after painting 2 of the bedrooms and putting wallpaper on part of the living room walls.
The following morning, he teased her about her snoring and she told him she’s never been accused of snoring, ever. He teased her that he was sure her bedmates hadn’t wantto let her know how much she probably disturbed them.
They both suspected there was something terribly wrong with the house they were in but convinced themselves it was nothing. They refused to utter their suspicion to the other thus they both thought it must be a figment of their imagination.
It all reached a head that night when Gizelle suddenly woke up with a start. She’d seen the man laughing again and had woken up. She was shocked to see all the windows and doors in her room open.
She quickly closed them and as she was about to close the bedroom door, she noticed that the main door across the hall way was also open. She ran to close it yelling out Fridman’s name. He also woke up and saw that all his doors and windows were open.
They both thought armed robbers had entered and quickly secured the place whiles looking out for burglars. There was none but nobody could explain why all the windows and doors were open.
Gizelle was so disturbed that she couldn’t sleep a wink. Fridman was scared himself but didn’t want to let it out.
He asked her if she wouldn’t mind sharing his bed and she readily agreed. They both slept in each other’s arms and woke to find the room flooded. The tap wasn’t on when they slept but it was, when they woke up.
to be continued.
News
Govt urged to provide safe, supportive environment for menstruating girls
The government has been urged to take urgent steps toward providing a safe and supportive environment for menstruating girls to ensure proper personal hygiene and promote school attendance.
Sarah Nkansah Boateng, a midwife at the Eastern Regional Hospital made the call during a forum organised as part of activities to observe Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The event was held under the theme “Together for a Period-Friendly World.”
She noted that many girls skip school during their menstrual periods due to a lack of access to sanitary products and appropriate spaces to change them.
“The basic necessities for these girls are not being provided; creating a safe and enabling environment is crucial,” Madam Boateng emphasized.
She called on school authorities and policymakers to prioritise the construction of hygienic and private changing spaces in schools.
She further appealed for a collective effort to address menstrual health challenges affecting girls in the community.
The New Juaben North Municipal Director of Health Services, Nana Yaa Konadu, also highlighted her office’s initiatives in both school-based and community clinics to educate young girls on menstrual hygiene.
She stressed the health implications of poor menstrual hygiene, saying, “When girls lack access to sanitary pads and a clean environment, it can negatively impact their reproductive health.”
Madam Konadu warned that the absence of menstrual hygiene facilities and products left some girls vulnerable to exploitation, increasing the risk of teenage pregnancy.
The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben North, Mr Samuel Adongo, described menstruation as a natural biological process and not a taboo or burden.
He expressed concern over the poor state of sanitation facilities in schools.
“I have visited almost all public schools in the municipality, and none has a proper, standard toilet facility suitable for girls,” he stated.
Mr Adongo assured that the assembly would work to create an enabling environment to reduce school absenteeism related to menstruation.
“Too many girls are missing school because of their menstrual cycle, and this is unacceptable,” he added.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
News
Akwesi Agyeman, Ekpe vow to lead GJA to ‘era of purpose and professionalism’
As the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) prepares for its national elections, two of the key contenders, General Secretary Aspirant Akwasi Agyeman and Vice Presidential hopeful Rebecca Ekpe have called for a return to ethical journalism, stronger mentorship and institutional reforms.
They both made the remarks during separate visits to The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times, respectively to solicit for votes.
Akwasi Agyeman, an Editor with Multimedia is seeking to lead the association into what he calls a “new era of purpose and professionalism.”
He stressed the urgent need to reposition the GJA as a strong and relevant voice in national affairs.
“We cannot continue with business as usual. The GJA must be visible, active, and fearless in advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists,” he said during a meeting with media practitioners in Accra.
Mr. Agyeman noted that his leadership will focus on building partnerships, improving member services, and restoring the dignity of the Association. “We need to rekindle the spirit of solidarity within the GJA and provide real value to members, especially the younger generation,” he added.
Ms Rebecca Ekpe, a respected Broadcast Journalist and Editor, echoed similar sentiments in her call for mentorship and capacity building.
“I discovered through my journey that journalism is not just my job, it is who I am. My path in journalism was shaped by my seniors in the newsroom, and now I feel called to give back,” she said.
Ms Ekpe envisions a GJA where senior journalists regularly engage with young professionals through face-to-face mentoring and training platforms. “Even if you attend a session and pick just one idea, it could change the course of your career,” she remarked.
She also raised concerns about the rise of misinformation and the blurred lines between journalism and social media content creation. “People sit online insulting others and call themselves journalists. When they are attacked, GJA defends them, but we must ask: are they truly journalists? We must protect the integrity of our profession,” she stressed.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo wished them well in their campaigns and quest to serve the GJA.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
