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‘Improving menstrual hygiene among girls crucial’
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Emefa Kumaza donating sanitary pads to some school girls
Improving menstrual hygiene among girls is crucial because it affects school attendance as well as the engagement and performance of school girls, the Founder and Director of My Youth Led Community Organisation, Emefa Kumaza has said.
She explained that when girls were equipped to manage their menstruation safely and with confidence, it reduces the days she misses school.
Ms Kumaza said this in an interview with The Spectator on Friday in Accra as the world marks Menstrual Hygiene Day which is commemorated every year on May 28.
This year, the day was celebrated globally on the theme “together for a period friendly world,” with the aim of eliminating the stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation and live in a world where everyone can access the products, period education and period-friendly infrastructure needed.
She said consistent engagement enhances their academic performance and opens up future career opportunities and lay a foundation for economic independence.
She was of the view that addressing menstrual hygiene helps normalise menstruation and reduce the stigma leading to a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students
Ms Kumaza said period poverty worsens the already existing barriers to girls’ education especially in rural Ghana, explaining that many girls lack access to menstrual hygiene products, adequate sanitation facilities and accurate information about menstruation.
She said in 2021, she started an initiative known as ‘Her Period Matters’ and distributed over 3000 sanitary pads and organised educational workshops.
“These efforts not only help with immediate needs but also empower girls with knowledge about their bodies, challenging taboos and enhance their confidence,” Ms Kumaza said.
She said the initiative had worked with five schools in the Northern regional capital, Tamale with monthly distributions of sanitary pads, adding that “we have moved on to setting up pad banks in collaboration with school authorities.
She called on government to abolish taxes on menstrual products and make it freely available in schools, saying that when implemented, it would ensure that menstruation would not impede the education of girls.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
