News
Let passion drive your career choices …Girls advised
Prof Elsie Effah Kaufmann,
Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dean, School of Engineering, Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, has encouraged young girls to choose their career courses based on passion and not external influences.
She said when the child was passionate about a course, it made it easier for him or her to dedicate and commit time to study, excel, and unleash their potential.
Prof. Kaufmann gave the advice on Tuesday at a mentorship session for young girls to mark National Girls in ICT Day in Accra.
It was on the theme ‘Girls in ICT, Leadership.’
“I normally ask my students to choose a course that will enable them to contribute meaningfully to problem-solving,” she said.
She acknowledged that parents meant well when choosing a career path for their children, but they must be mindful of the passion of the child.
“Parents must understand that the world is changing. We need students who are creative and ready to address a problem,” she said.
The Professor advised the students to be assertive, focused on the courses they were interested in, and never be discouraged by people’s ideas.
“There is nothing you cannot do; if you have an interest in something, do not be distracted but work hard and pursue what you are passionate about.”
The Professor said the generation of young girls would need STEM to be better prepared to use and develop artificial intelligence to enhance their future careers.
She encouraged development partners and non-governmental organisations to partner with the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation to continue to support girls in ICT to be relevant in the emerging world.
Dr Nanayaa Tina Owusu-Prempeh, Board Chair, Ghana Domain Name Registry, underscored the importance of girls in ICT to bridge the digital divide and build their competencies for the job market.
She said, “ICT is the future, and it is important for the country to optimise technology in all sectors, especially agriculture, to improve food security.”
Dr Owusu-Prempeh advised the students to use technology to advance their development and not for negative things like watching pornographic materials and unhealthy practices.
“You have to use social media for research and development and not for promiscuity,” she said. —GNA
Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”
The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.
Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.
While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.
A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.
Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Dear Obaa Yaa,
During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.
To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest
At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.
The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.
We are about to get married, what should I do?
Enam, Keta.
Dear Enam,
The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.
Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.
For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.
Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.
Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.
Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.
