Editorial
Promote well-being of Boy Child
On May 16, Ghana joined the world in marking International Boy Child Day – a day set aside to reflect on the experiences, challenges, and potential of boys in our society.
While national efforts have rightly championed the empowerment of girls, today is a timely reminder that boys, too, face unique hurdles that must be addressed with equal urgency.
Across Ghana, many boys grow up navigating rigid expectations of masculinity. From an early age, they are taught that expressing emotion is a sign of weakness, that strength is defined by dominance, and that vulnerability is unmanly. These beliefs can hinder emotional development, leading to mental health struggles that are often overlooked or dismissed.
In our schools, boys are frequently labelled as troublemakers rather than understood as young people in need of guidance and mentorship.
In our communities, many boys grow up without consistent male role models, with absentee fatherhood and economic pressures further complicating their paths. And in our homes, the boy child can often be assumed to be self-sufficient, receiving less nurturing attention than needed.
Yet, Ghanaian boys are full of promise. They are future leaders, fathers, husbands, professionals, and agents of change. When we invest in their well-being – emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and socially – we help build a more balanced and just society. A boy raised with compassion, empathy, discipline, and confidence is more likely to become a man who respects others, values equality, and contributes positively to national development.
International Boy Child Day is not about diminishing the progress made in supporting girls. It is about balance. It is about recognising that the development of any nation including Ghana requires the holistic empowerment of all its children.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) in a statement to mark the Day has pledged its commitment to promoting the wellbeing and development of children regardless the gender.
It said “ we recognise that boys have the vision to create safe spaces where boys can expresss their feelings without judgement as well as provide emotional support for vulnerabilities.”
It is the hope of The Spectator that the Ministry will live to its promise to promote the well-being of children and also provide safe spaces for boys.
The Spectator also calls for a collaborative action from parents, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to be intentional in mentoring and nurturing boys.
“Let us challenge harmful stereotypes and create safe spaces where boys can express themselves, learn healthy behaviours, and understand that true strength lies not in aggression, but in character.”
As we celebrate the boys of Ghana, let us also pledge to support them in becoming the men our nation needs; responsible, respectful, and ready to lead with heart and purpose.
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this esteemed platform to urge the traditional councils of Osu and La to call for independent investigation into the recent demolition exercise at Kaajaano.
The exercise rendered hundreds homeless.
Information about the reason for the demolition has been scanty with those desiring to know feeding heavily on social media posts.
One particular name –Jato, has been associated with it but under whose instruction the exercise was carried is also not known.
Sadly, instead of getting to know who ordered the demolition and for what reasons, traditional authorities of Osu and La have been embroiled in a tug-of-war over ownership of the said land.
This is premature. At this moment, they should call for investigation into the exercise to know the people behind it.
When that is done, then discussions about the owners of the site can begin. That would end the posture of the two neighbouring town which has the potential to turn into something else.
Ataa Osa Mensah,
Osu
Dear Editor,
I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.
About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.
The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.
I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.
Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.
As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.
This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.
It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.
Mary Osei Badu,
Swedru
