News
‘Love, nurture teenage girls unconditionally’
Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP) and Head of Commercial Unit at the Senior Correctional Centre in Accra, Ms Helen Korkor Quarcoo, has asked parents to unconditionally love and nurture their teenage girls in order to have that sense of belonging and make them feel safe at home.
She made the call in an interview at the “Access to Agency: Empowering women through digital inclusion” conference held in Accra recently.
According to the Senior Officer, most teenage pregnancies usually occur due to some emotional challenges which makes the teen girls go out searching for love and affection that is not provided at home.
Sharing more insights, CSP Quarcoo was of the view that teenage pregnancy could be a form of trauma response to emotional starvation which has huge repercussion on the girl child both physically and psychologically.
“Some of these teenage children living in the villages and remote areas who are not loved at home usually get brainwashed by false love from some irresponsible area boys/men who later impregnates them and run away,” she narrated.
CSP Quarcoo said teenage pregnancy was a complex issue associated with various factors including the absence of emotional needs.
Stressing on emotional needs, she indicated that teenage girls may seek love, attention or validation through relationships that may potentially lead to teenage pregnancies.
The Senior Officer further stated that lack of self-worth as a result of no-love shown at home leads to low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness.
She said it could be a contributive factor to promiscuous behaviours resulting in unprotected sex.
Additionally, Mrs Quarcoo underscored that it was important to approach the heart-wrenching issues of teenage pregnancy with empathy and understanding or recognising the unique circumstances and challenges each girl faces.
She called for supportive services, conscious education and dedicated resources to be invested in helping teenage girls navigate through these complex issues.
Moreover, the Chief Superintendent of Prisons noted that empowerment of teenage girls and building their self-esteem is another way of fighting teenage pregnancies.
“Fostering positive self-image, worth and life skills through education, mentorship and community engagement, would positively help work towards achieving a low rate of teenage pregnancies and promote healthier outcomes for teenage girls”, she indicated.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
For generations of graduates, the University of Ghana has shaped some of life’s most meaningful moments.
It is where lifelong friendships were formed, marriages began, business ideas took shape, partnerships were built, entrepreneurs nurtured, and identities discovered.
UG became a shared home, one that inspired pride and a deep sense of belonging. Yet, as the years pass and life takes alumni into different careers, countries, and seasons, many gradually lose touch with the University and with one another.
On 28 May 2026, the University of Ghana will officially launch the University of Ghana Global Alumni Network (UGA Network) App, a digital platform designed to foster and strengthen lifelong connections between the University and its alumni worldwide.
The launch, scheduled to take place at the University of Ghana, marks a significant shift in alumni engagement and development, from fragmented, informal networks to a single, trusted, and official digital home for all Legonites.
For years, alumni engagement has largely depended on WhatsApp groups, social media pages, and independent alumni groups.
While these channels have kept conversations alive, they have also created fragmentation, making it difficult to maintain accurate records, share official updates, and mobilise alumni for mentorship, networking, and institutional development.
The UGA Network App was developed to address this gap.
It provides a secure platform where alumni can register, verify their alumni status, update their profiles, reconnect with classmates and year groups, and stay informed about university and alumni initiatives, all in one place.
At the heart of the UGA Network App is a simple idea: alumni should never feel like outsiders to the University they helped build.
Designed with alumni experiences in mind, the platform makes it easy to rediscover old bonds, build new professional relationships, participate in alumni events, and contribute meaningfully to the University’s advancement.
Whether a recent graduate navigating early career decisions or a seasoned professional seeking to give back, the app creates space for every alum to belong and participate.
The UGA Network App is the official alumni engagement platform of the University of Ghana, managed by the Institutional Advancement Directorate, in collaboration with the Information Technology Directorate.
Built on a verified and secure alumni database, the platform protects personal information while ensuring credibility and trust for users.
As the University prepares to unveil the UGA Network App, alumni are invited to register, reconnect, and belong.
The Bank of Ghana has directed Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL) to suspend the implementation of its proposed 0.75 percent fee on direct wallet-to-bank transfers pending further consultations.
The proposed charge was scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2026.
In a press release issued by its Communications Department, the central bank said the decision to halt the implementation was to allow for further engagement on the matter.
According to the Bank of Ghana, the move forms part of efforts to ensure that any changes in charges within the mobile financial services sector are introduced fairly and in a way that protects consumers.
The Bank said it remains committed to safeguarding the financial wellbeing of users of mobile money and other digital financial services.
The proposed fee had generated public discussions ahead of its planned implementation date.
However, the Bank of Ghana did not indicate when a final decision on the proposed charge would be announced.
By: Jacob Aggrey
