News
Health advocate calls for tax waver on sanitary products
Ms Minnow
A health advocate Ms Wilhemina Minnow has called on government to support the fight against period poverty by wavering taxes on menstrual products.
This she said would make such products affordable and make them more accessible to girls especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds .“Addressing menstrual poverty through improved access to menstrual products, proper hygiene facilities, and comprehensive menstrual education is crucial to empowering young girls and ensuring their over-all wellbeing,” she added.
She bemoaned that there were many girls who miss school during their periods due to the lack of sanitary pads, leading to a negative impact on their education and potential opportunities.
Ms Minnow who is also a health professional mentioned that menstrual discomfort and fear of leaks could discourage young girls from participating in extra-curricular activities like sports, limiting their overall engagement and self-confidence.
“We cannot afford to put young girls through the pain of societal stigmatisation and shame surrounding menstruation because this can lead to emotional distress and can also affect their mental health to a large extent.”
“If policy makers do not ensure an end to menstrual poverty, a time will come that we cannot find any confident young girl especially in deprived communities. Poor girls will lose confidence even before they become women. This is unacceptable,” she stressed.
Throwing more light on health risks associated with poor menstrual hygiene, the health advocate stated that using unhygienic materials during menstruation could increase the risk of infections and other health issues including, chronic candidiasis, Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), infertility and even birth complications.
She said, it is therefore very important for young girls to receive frequent education on the significance of proper menstrual management to promote overall wellbeing.
“Providing comprehensive and age-appropriate menstrual health education, both at home and in schools, to empower girls with knowledge about menstruation, hygiene and overall menstrual health is very important.”
“Also, teaching them about menstrual tracking is necessary to help them understand their cycles, which can help identify irregularities and potential health issues,” she added.
According to the healthcare giver, engaging boys and men about menstruation could equally help promote empathy and understanding while creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.
By Raissa Sambou
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
