News
‘Renew spirit of volunteerism among the youth’
An Executive member of a volunteer group within the governing New Patriotic Party, has stressed the need to renew the spirit of volunteerism among the youth and inspire them to make meaningful contributions to society.
Mr. Samuel Emmanuel Adjei-Mante Foxy, Operations Director of the group known as Professionals for Political Action (PPA), speaking in an interview with The Spectator said young people must not be ideal but rather offer their skills to help develop the country and their localities.
He believed volunteerism, to some extent, could help reduce unemployment while the youth strove for better opportunities.
Highlighting various activities the group had embarked upon after elections, he said PPA, unlike other political groups that went mute after campaign and election seasons, was not resting on their oars.
PPA, he said, was established in 2016 to canvass grassroot support to help the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) capture political power and implement its development agenda.
Following the Party’s success in 2016 and a subsequent second term victory in the 2020 general election, Mr. Adjei-Mante said the group continued to harness the skills of members to help provide services on voluntary basis in sectors where their services were needed.
The group, according to him, had over 1,000 members, comprising health workers, teachers, tailors, seamstresses, carpenters, contractors and other professionals from the formal and informal sectors.
“We currently offer cleaning services, catering, construction, ushering, among others. The services we render are free of charge, irrespective of one’s political affiliation, we intend to reduce the burden on people who want quality service but cannot afford the service of professionals,” he noted.
Explaining the scope of their services, Mr. Adjei-Mante said that the group was more vibrant in the Eastern and Greater Accra regions, due to financial and logistical constraints.
He said, they were exploring other sources of funding to boost their operations and help sustain the organisation in the years ahead.
Part of their plan, he noted, included, introduction of free adult education, commercial farming and extending activities to all the 16 regions of the country.
“We are open to individuals who believe in the ideology of volunteerism and we are looking forward to train more young people to render voluntary services,” he stressed.
Mr. Adjei-Mante said that the group would require logistics such as vehicles, computers and other educational materials to enhance their functions in the regions.
Mr. Siaw, Research Officer of PPA Suhum Chapter, in the Eastern Region, praised the impact the organisation had made since its inception, and urged other professionals to join the group and help develop the country.
Another officer, Mr. Alex Asamoah, an Assistant Director at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, urged members of the Association to maintain mutual respect for one another and continue to offer their selfless and dedicated services for social and economic growth of the nation.
PPA has local chapters in the Eastern, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central, Brong Ahafo, and Northern regions. Mr. Daniel Kweku Denteh, a Deputy Director of Finance at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is the Convener.
Other executives include Dr. Adomako Kisi, Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, National Chairman, Mr. Banasco Francis, General Secretary and Public Relations Officer, and Mr. Michael Kusi Dadzi, Vice Chairman.
By Ernest Nutsugah
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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