News
‘Otufo’ rites usher girls into womanhood

The elders of Okortoshieshie family at Ngleshie James Town last week performed their annual Otufo rites to usher their chaste and matured females into womanhood.
The rites, according to history, were performed since 1737, when the Okortoshieshie family migrated from Ada Tergbebiawoe to settle at James Town in Accra.
The family spread eventually to live at Amanhia, Amamole, Afuaman, Aplaku, Weija, Nsakina, and Obeyeyie in the Greater Accra Region.
The Head of the family, Nii Ahistey Tetteh, at a briefing, said the rites were performed by experienced elderly women who confined the young girls for some weeks.
The young girls, he said, were then taken through the rudiments of hygiene, dancing, cooking, marital roles, storytelling, their history as well dos and don’ts of marriage life.
The rites were crowned with feasting after prayers had been said to the ancestors for protection and good health.
By Francis Xah
News
Honouring a legend: Tourism minister hails Agya Koo Nimo’s legacy

In a heartfelt tribute to one of Ghana’s musical treasures, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has lauded high-life maestro, Agya Koo Nimo, by highlighting his immense contribution to the country’s cultural heritage and national development.
The 94-year-old virtuoso, born Daniel Amponsah, is famed for pioneering the ‘Palm Wine’ music genre—a soulful blend of indigenous storytelling, melodic guitar rhythms, and age-old wisdom.

For over five decades, he has remained a cultural torchbearer, captivating audiences with both music and message.
During an official visit to the New Adwase residence of the legendary musician in Kumasi, Madam Gomashie, flanked by her Deputy, Mr Yussif Issaka Jajah, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, presented a hamper and also made a cash donation to the nonagenarian.
She conveyed the gratitude of President John Dramani Mahama and the Ghanaian people for the maestro’s trailblasing role in shaping the nation’s music industry.
“Agya Koo Nimo didn’t just create music—he crafted identity, instilled pride, and charted a path for generations to follow,” the Minister stated.
A former lecturer at KNUST and founder of the iconic ‘Adadam Agofomma’ troupe, Agya Koo Nimo has been a fixture at university events and traditional ceremonies alike.
Despite retirement, he remains the lifeblood of the cultural group, continuing to inspire with humility and grace.
Dr Amoakohene reaffirmed the government’s ongoing efforts to spotlight creative industry pioneers, revealing that over 25 actors have already been acknowledged in the Ashanti region alone. The visit to Agya Koo Nimo marked a new phase of this outreach to musicians.
Gracious and visibly moved, the music legend expressed his appreciation to President Mahama and called for the establishment of a Creative Arts Museum to preserve and honour the works of Ghanaian musicians.
He also paid tribute to his 74-year-old wife, Madam Comfort Manu, and the members of his troupe for their enduring support.
The Minister’s delegation later toured the KNUST Department of Indigenous Arts and Technology, where she interacted with staff and students, and viewed an exhibition showcasing creative pieces made from local materials.
With this act of recognition, Ghana once again affirms that those who shaped its cultural soul will not be forgotten.
From Kingsley E. Hope
News
Step up efforts to address Africa’s health, social challenges —First Lady

Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama, has urged fellow First Ladies to step up efforts in addressing Africa’s health and social challenges through collaboration, compassion, and innovation.
She said this at the 2025 Merck Foundation Africa First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Platform in Dubai on Wednesday.
According to her, African leaders needed to combine passion with expertise and forge strong public-private partnerships to build healthier and more inclusive societies across the continent.
“Africa must aspire to greatness by uniting public and private efforts, combining passion with expertise, and ensuring that every life, no matter how remote or marginalised, can flourish,” she emphasised.
Mrs Mahama highlighted the positive impact of the Merck Foundation Talent Programme in Ghana, which has empowered 110 young people in the creative sector including music, ICT, filmmaking, and fashion.

group photograph

flanked by the Ghanaian team

plesantries with one of the first lady

CEO of Merck Foundation
Senator Dr Rasha Kelej

She noted that such initiatives help the youth discover their potential and pursue excellence.
Expressing deep appreciation to the Merck Foundation, she commended its 30 years of support, describing it as a legacy of empowering communities to “heal, dream, and rise.”
She pledged continued collaboration through the Lordina Foundation in order to improve healthcare, promote education, and combat stigma in Ghana. “Our partnership with you will deliver a lot to the benefit of our people,” she affirmed.
Joined by 16 other African First Ladies, Mrs Mahama praised the Foundation’s efforts in transforming public health, advancing girls’ education, and strengthening media across the continent. “We must raise our voices and break the silence so that every woman recognises her worth and every child grows in dignity and health,” she urged.
The Merck Foundation CEO, Senator Rasha Kelej, shared that over 2,270 scholarships had been awarded to doctors from 52 countries in 44 underserved specialties.
These include oncology, fertility, diabetes, hypertension, internal medicine, reproductive health, pediatric emergency care, critical care, rheumatology, urology, psychiatry, ophthalmology, trauma and orthopedics, dermatology and palliative care, among others.
ACCORDING to Senator Kelej, many of the recipients have become the first specialists in their countries, serving patients who previously had no access to such expertise.
Additionally, about 1,000 girls have benefited from scholarships across 17 countries in partnership with African First Ladies.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, cited a World Health Organisation (WHO) report showing Africa’s 24 per cent of the global disease burden but has only 2.91 healthcare workers per 1,000 people.
He noted that Merck Foundation’s programmes have helped close the gap, particularly in critical areas such as oncology and fertility care, where many countries previously had no specialists.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu