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National Chief Imam names Clemence Gyato as Peace Ambassador
National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu on November 28, 2020, named Clemence Gyato as Peace Ambassador.
Gyato, a Master’s Degree holder in Conflict, Peace and Security and currently a PhD student, is renowned among the country’s Zongo youth and lauded for his efforts in conflict resolution, notably in the protracted Alavanyo-Nkonya dispute as well as discord between Hohoe natives and Zongo youth.
Announcing Gyato’s appointment, Sheikh Sharubutu said his office had “monitored Mr Gyato’s involvement in peacebuilding efforts in various parts of the country,” for which reason he was selected.
In his new role, Gyato is expected to amplify and coordinate harmony among the country’s youth, particularly in the build up to the 2020 polls.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Gyato cited a life-changing interaction with a victim of the Somali war whose account led him to the understanding that “no one is safe within a community or society riddled with insecurity. And no one filled with conflict, despair, and anxiety rises to the zenith of any godly profession. So, I set out to do this one thing: be at peace with myself and with all.”
The maxim, Gyato said, had been pivotal to his vision. He observed that his appointment was testament to the fact that, his efforts were being keenly observed by leadership.
“This honour bestowed on me for my little, submarine operations within the peace space is something I will cherish considerably.
“Election-related violence has destroyed many African countries. Ghana has escaped this unfortunate conundrum and it is my expectation that the 2020 elections will be no different”.
“It is time we saw peace neither as a prelude to, nor an addendum to elections. It is an ever-constant pre-requisite for personal, familial, and national progress. Insofar as each person values their peace of mind, it then behoves us to value the peace of our brother, friend, relative, colleague, political opponents, and/ or even perceived enemies,” he said.
Mr Gyato pledged to continue his mission to be at peace with, all, “speak and act peacefully to all men.”
“I undertake to accept diversity as strength and use diversity to build a peaceful society. I undertake to do more towards building a peaceful Ghana,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye, who chaired Gyato’s investiture, Madina MP Hon. Abu-Bakar Saddique Boniface, as well as NDC aspiring Member of Parliament for Madina, Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu also pledged peace before and after election 2020.
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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