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Kpone Katamanso Imams call on The Spectator, Ghanaian Times Editors
Leaders of the Muslim community in the Kpone- Katamanso Metropolitan area on Wednesday called on the editors of the state-owned newspapers, The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, and called for stronger collaboration to deal with some of the societal issues that confront them.
The visit was to first of all introduce the Muslim clerics in the area and also ensure a fair representation of Muslims’ perspectives on national discourse.
Both parties discussed issues of content balance, community development, and partnership opportunities.
The delegation, led by the Metropolitan Imam, Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, said the Muslim community in Kpone Katamanso alone estimated to be over 620,000, well-structured and plays an active role in both civic and religious life.
He disclosed that the community has been divided into 18 zones, each led by a zonal Imam, with the Municipal Imam serving as the head.
“We have a constitution, and we work closely with the assembly, central government, and traditional authorities. Our presence is strong, and we want the media to reflect that,” the Imam stated.
Alhaji Abdulai further stressed that the Muslim leadership in Kpone Katamanso operates in a democratic and accountable manner, mirroring Ghana’s own political system.
He also stated that zonal Imams were eligible to rise to the position of municipal Imam, and the leadership regularly engages with government, civil society, and traditional leaders to promote peace and development.
Recently, the Municipal Imam received a certificate of recognition from a local chief during a youth gathering, a testament to the cordial relationship between Muslims and traditional authorities in the area.
“Our community is disciplined, organised, and proactive. We believe the media should showcase these positive stories instead of leaving gaps that are usually filled by stereotypes or misinformation,” he added.
Quoting a verse from the Qur’an, one of the leaders reminded us that all humans were created from a single source and must, therefore, treat each other as brothers and sisters, irrespective of religion.
On her part, the Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina Naa Maku Quaittoo, welcomed the initiative and expressed readiness to collaborate with the Muslim community.
She indicated that the papers remain committed to inclusiveness and community development.
The Editor of The Ghanaian Times Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahman, expressed concern about the growing influence of social media in shaping public opinion, warning that many online platforms often spread misinformation about religion.
“Social media is full of half-truths. We prefer the credibility of the established press. If issues are reported by The Times or Spectator, they carry weight,” he said.
Practical partnership ideas were also discussed, including establishing newspaper stands in Muslim-dominated communities such as Ashaiman, Nima, and Madina, to create space for regular opinion pieces by Muslim scholars. “If our readers in these communities know their voices are represented in the pages of The Times or Spectator, it builds both trust and readership,” the editor added.
Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue and build a long-term partnership that would give voice to Muslims while also strengthening interfaith understanding.
The Muslim leaders pledged to provide regular articles for publication, while the newspapers assured them of space to promote peace, inclusion, and national development.
They pledged to contribute accurate and insightful content on Muslim perspectives, festivals, and social development efforts, so that the wider Ghanaian public would gain a more balanced understanding of the faith.
The delegation included imams from various communities within the Kpone Katamanso Metropolitan Assembly.
They included Mustapha Abdul Wahaab, Appolonia, Mohammed Rufai, Peaceland, Mohammed Aminu Masud, Washington and Sa-id Mukhtar Abubakar, New Zealand.
The rest Shafiu Jibril, Washington, Salih Usman, Chief, Washington, Salis Abubakar, Zenu and Soalihu Mohammed Awal, Kpone-Bawaleshie.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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