News
‘Introduce children to hobbies, not phones’
A child with a phone
A registered member of the Ghana Psychology Association (GPA), Dr May Wulff-Caesar, has advised parents to be interested in technology to enable them have more control over the devices of their children.
She said learning about technology could also help parents to monitor activities of their children on the phone.
She said this last week during a virtual seminar organised by the Mental Health Authority (MHA) on the topic, ‘conquering phone addiction: sharing real life experience.’
“As parents, we need to introduce hobbies to our children which will enable them get off the screens in addition to extra curriculum activities that will keep them busy and away from the devices,” she said.
Dr Wulff-Caesar said studies have proven that excessive use of cell phones could lead to anxiety and depression where persons addicted to their smartphones were more likely to experience mental health issues such as chronic stress and low emotional stability.
She said it would be beneficial for parents to set rules and regulations as well as some activities that would take the attention of children off the phone.
“Studies have proven that excessive use of cell phones could lead to anxiety and depression where persons addicted to their smartphones were more likely to experience mental health issues such as chronic stress and low emotional stability,” she added.
Some negative effects of phone addiction, Dr Wulff-Caesar said were exposure to radiation, changes in cognitive ability, problems with social or emotional skills, problems sleeping and mental laziness.
The Deputy Director, Health Promotion, MHA, Dr Amankwa Arthur, said using phones for research purposes and assignments had increased children’s addiction, adding that “it is toxic and worrying.”
According to Dr Arthur, poor family relationship and boredom were some of the contributory factors to the menace, adding that children find solace with the phone rather than having a quality time with the family.
A Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Seth Mawusi Asafo, said although the contributory factors were enormous, it was necessary to build a broad range of activities for children and other persons affected to manage boredom to prevent the attitude of being on the screens very often.
In order to get the children off the addiction, Dr Asafo urged parents to be moderate and patient with children when dealing with the challenge.
By Spectator Reporter
The trial involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has officially concluded, with the Accra High Court scheduling July 3, 2026, to deliver its final judgement.
The closure of the trial follows months of intense legal battles between state prosecutors and the political figure over alleged breaches of Ghana’s mining regulations.
The end to the final trial was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon by the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai.
In a public update shared via his official social media platforms, Dr. Srem-Sai revealed that the defence team successfully wrapped up its case.
“The accused persons in the case – The Republic v Bernard Antwi-Boasiako & 2 others – called their 5th and last witness today,” the Deputy Attorney-General revealed.
“The witness was discharged from the witness box a while ago. That brought the entire trial to an end. The judge has scheduled July 3 for judgement,” the Deputy Attorney-General stated.
The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, brings down the curtain on a trial that has heavily captured national attention.
Background of the Legal Battle
The case stems from state-led charges filed against Chairman Wontumi, Kwame Antwi (a director of Akonta Mining), and Akonta Mining Company Limited.
The state leveled six criminal counts against the accused persons, primarily centered on, unauthorized assignment of mineral rights, allegations that the defendants assigned mining concessions without the mandatory ministerial approval.
Also, facilitating unlicensed operations, an accusations of permitting unauthorized mining activities on their Samreboi concession.
The trial advanced to the defence stage earlier this year after the Accra High Court dismissed a “submission of no case” filed by Wontumi’s legal team.
In that ruling, the court maintained that the Attorney-General’s office had established a strong prima facie case, legally compelling the politician and his firm to open their defence.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
SC dismisses IMANI Africa’s suit challenging President’s Authority to appoint and remove security heads
The Supreme Court has dismissed a suit filed by IMANI Africa challenging the President’s constitutional authority to appoint and remove heads of Ghana’s security agencies.
The Court, presided over by Justice Gabriel Pwamang, ruled that the case lacked merit and dismissed all the reliefs sought by the policy think tank.
It also clarified the constitutional and statutory provisions governing appointments within the various security services.
Reacting to the ruling, a representative of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil said the organization was informed that the court had distinguished between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of Prisons, and other security service heads such as those of the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana National Fire Service.
According to him, IMANI Africa’s position was that all the security service heads are public servants protected under Article 191 of the Constitution and should be treated equally under the law.
However, he said the Supreme Court ruled that the IGP and the Prisons Service leadership are special cases and should be treated differently from the heads of the other security agencies.
“In a sense, what we asked for, they haven’t given us. But they’ve decided what to give us and that’s what they explained to us,” he said.
He noted that the Court’s reasoning appeared to be based on considerations of state security and the President’s role as head of the country’s security apparatus, although IMANI Africa said it was still seeking greater clarity on the basis of the decision.
The ruling brings to an end the legal challenge over the President’s powers to appoint and remove heads of Ghana’s security agencies.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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