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Relationship mistakes which often lead to break-ups
1. Being excessively jealous
Being a little jealous is okay, it’s okay to be jealous because to some, being jealous proves their love, but when it’s in excess it becomes annoying because too much of a thing is bad. Don’t be overly jealous or insecure. It will make your partner think you don’t trust him or her.
It will always cause arguments and in some cases the arguments don’t end well, so don’t kill your relationship with jealousy, because no one enjoys being accused. Give your partner some space.
Allow him or her to hang out with friends, and enjoy his or her hobby. Don’t tie him down all in the name of relationship.
2. Expecting him or her to always read your mind
Women are said to be more sensitive, therefore, they often expect men to have that same level of sensitivity. It is good for a man to understand a woman’s need sometimes, but it is not all men that have the ability. If you want to be cuddled or massaged at a particular moment, don’t magically expect your partner to know. Your partner may be there physically but may not be able to notice or read your mind at the moment. Therefore, always communicate your likes and preferences.
3. Involving a third party
Involving third party is totally not necessary, be it your best friend or even your mum, try to keep your relationship issues or problems as personal as possible. Even when you feel the need to vent out a problem about the relationship, don’t involve a third party. Instead of making things better, a third party may end up messing it up by causing you to follow a wrong relationship advice.
4. Trying to change him or her
Sometimes you may spot a flaw in your partner but you still continue the relationship anyway because you think he or she may change. It is good to try changing your partner but there are things that cannot change. For instance, you may want to change his or her love for movies to reading but it may never work. Sometimes you need to enjoy your own hobbies and allow your partners to also enjoy theirs too.
5. Not taking good care of yourself
When relationships are at their peak some partners become complacent. They feel there is no need to shave, maintain good body stature, or wear nice and attractive outfits, like they used to do at the beginning of the relationship. Some men and women argue that “my partner must love me at my worst.” That is not entirely true. It is important to continue to groom yourself appropriately, irrespective of what stage the relationship has reached. Partners must continue to take very good care of themselves and keep their things attractive and refreshing at all times.
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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