News
Rev. Abakah donates to Bethel Methodist Society
Rev. And Mrs Lovelace Abekah of Bethel Methodist Society Church at Community 8, Tema, last week presented a wheel chair to the Society’s sick bay as an appreciation for the love and care shown their family by the church members while fellowshipping with them.
According to Rev. Abakah, the gesture was to strengthen the existing bond between his family and the church in view of his transfer to the Jaway Whart at Half Assini in the Western Region to continue with service to God and humanity.
The Superintendent Minister of the church, Very Rev. Maj. Ebo Ephraim , said the thanksgiving service for the out going Rev. Minister (rtd) was necessary as part of the process leading to Rev Abekah’s travel in Methodist practice.
According to him, Rev. Abakah was commissioned on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at Community 8 Bethel Society Church, this year after passing through series of examinations and interviews at the Diocesan and Synod levels after which he was cleared at the Connexional level to undergo a three-year training in Theological Extension at the Trinity Theological Seminary.
He continued that, to become a fully ordained Minister in the Methodist Church, “one has to begin his or her travelling or itinerant ministry for three years under two Superintendent Ministers before his or her ordination.
According to him, Rev Abakah was a committed and hard working Christian who could be trusted in the ministry.
Delivering his last sermon on the theme ‘Is not about me’, Rev Abakah admonished the church and Christians to consider the experience of Joseph in the bible when he was sold out by his brothers into slavery neither did they know that God allowed it so he could change the destiny of their family .
The out-going Rev. said Joseph could have neglected his brothers or family and enjoyed the wealth and power he commanded for himself but he came to the rescue of his family and society.
He said many a time God blessed us as individual’s or family for us to bless others especially those in need for the glorification of His name but we to looked down on others and even put the venerable to shame.
‘ When God blesses us and instead of us blessing others in need, we turn to say do you know how I suffered to get what I have or how where I am today forgetting who got you where you are” he stressed .
To him, “God blesses us in many ways for us to be a channel and provide hope, a source of encouragement, a light at the tunnel in someone’s life and we should not claim our blessings or grace to be coming from our own personal efforts”.
The church also presented a citation and other gifts to them as an appreciation for their dedicated service.
By Victor A Buxton
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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