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‘Lack of respect threat to blind community’

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• A blind man

A visually impaired retired Public Servant has said that lack of social etiquette by some family members posed a serious challenge to the blind community.

According to her, some disparaging remarks from family members with regard to their condition had deprived some physically challenged persons of wives and husbands.

“Contemptible remarks from family members of potential spouses is robbing the blind community of quality men and women.

“Sickness or illness does not discriminate and can attack anybody at any point in times: It is inevitable”.

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Speaking in an interview with The Spectator on condition of anonymity last Saturday, the retiree disclosed that she was not blind at the time of marriage but was struck by sickness resulting in her predicament.

“No one knows what tomorrow brings in life so let us love one another and be each other’s keeper. What has happened to me can happen to anyone because blindness is not sold for people to buy,” she said.

She observed over the years that some families would go every length to discourage their members from marrying blind people because they felt they were not good marriage material.

She said it was important to accord persons who had lost their sight the respect and dignity they deserved like all humans.

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The retired public servant stated that some families used various means namely emotional blackmail, threats even to the extent of disowning them and leaving some of the people with no choice but to abandon the thought of marrying a blind person.

She said it was disheartening that these physically challenged were men and women who were responsible and gainfully employed with other enviable qualities but just because they had lost their sight, they were not given a chance to get married to their preferred partners.

She pointed out that even in the case of blind men, it was better as compared with blind women, who sometimes found it very difficult to get husbands.

She said some blind women had to settle with some blind men or give up completely on marriage to prevent any inconvenience from the family and friends of their potential spouses.

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She said such rigid stance by the society was unfortunate and not doing anybody any good and therefore appealed for a change in behaviour explaining that people should be judged on their potentials not their physical disabilities because some people might not be physically challenged but could be the worse spouses. 

She gave a reminder that even sighted people asked for help to manage their homes and take care of their families so the case of the disabled persons should not be seen as something that was out of the ordinary if they also asked for help.

From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.

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Police arrest five suspects, retrieve firearms and ammunition in Sapeiman operation

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The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested five people and retrieved firearms, ammunition and other offensive items during an intelligence led operation at Sapeiman Faase in the Greater Accra Region.

According to a press release issued by the Command on Monday, the operation was carried out jointly with the National Police Intelligence Directorate (NPID) on July 17, 2026.

The Police identified the suspects as Torgbui Agah Semaglo, 50, Shadrach Agah Semaglo, 22, William Kweku Sedanu, 21, Cyril Kassenu, 26, and Kingsford Agah Semaglo, 18.

The Command said a search at the suspects’ premises led to the retrieval of a pump action gun, a Stoeger ST R9 pistol, a dummy Austria pistol, a jackknife, a face mask, 12 BB cartridges, three rounds of 9mm ammunition, one AK-47 round of ammunition, a talisman and two kitchen knives.

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It noted that all the items had been kept as exhibits to support investigations.

The Police said preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects were members of a criminal group involved in armed robbery and landguard activities.

It alleged that they used the recovered weapons to terrorise residents in Sapeiman and nearby communities.

The suspects are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations, while efforts continue to determine their involvement in other robbery cases and related criminal activities. The Police also said it was working to identify and arrest any additional accomplices.

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The Accra Regional Police Command commended members of the public for providing credible information that supported its work and urged residents to remain vigilant.

It encouraged the public to report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the Police emergency numbers, adding that it remained committed to protecting lives and property across the region.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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Revised basic school curriculum to introduce coding, AI and TVET- Haruna Iddrisu

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The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that a revised national curriculum for kindergarten to junior high school will be presented to the Ministry of Education on Wednesday for further approval.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series today, Mr. Iddrisu said the new curriculum was developed by the National Curriculum Assessment Agency (NaCCA) as part of efforts to improve teaching and learning at the basic education level.

According to him, the revised curriculum will be formally submitted to the Ministry before it is forwarded to President John Dramani Mahama. He added that it will then be sent to Cabinet and Parliament for consideration and approval.

Mr. Iddrisu said the revised curriculum is designed to support a “Smart Start” approach by strengthening the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

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He explained that the government intends to introduce new subjects, including coding, electronics, artificial intelligence (AI) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), into the basic school curriculum.

The Minister said the changes form part of the government’s commitment to equipping pupils with practical and digital skills needed to meet the demands of the modern world.

He expressed confidence that the revised curriculum would help prepare learners for future opportunities by integrating technology and innovation into education from the early years of schooling.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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