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Sexual demands in exchange for support —plight of adolescent girls
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Some girls in three regions have lamented over the demand for sex by men in exchange for help, a situation that often results in teenage pregnancies.
The concern was raised during a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)-led consultations with more than 200 adolescents out of which 80 per cent were girls.
The consultations, done in partnership with government, created safe spaces for girls between the ages of 10 and 19 to share their challenges and aspirations, and proposed solutions.
Participants were drawn from Wa, Kumasi and Tema, covering the Upper West, Ashanti and Greater Accra regions.
Seventeen-year-old Faustina, one of the participants, spoke about the harsh reality many girls face.
“The men who support us often demand sex in return, which leads to pregnancies. Some of us are willing to work, but there are very few opportunities available. If we had access to jobs, we would gladly take them so that we can move away from this harmful lifestyle,” she revealed.
The initiative forms part of Ghana’s national priorities for adolescent girls’ well-being and aligns with the broader West and Central Africa agenda to secure a brighter future for girls.
UNICEF Ghana’s Adolescent and Gender Lead, Irene Tumwebaze, said the perspectives shared will guide programmes in health, education, child protection, climate resilience, digital inclusion, mental health, and life skills.
“When we listen to adolescent girls and boys, we gain an unfiltered understanding of their realities and aspirations,” she explained. “These consultations are not just about listening; they are about action. The voices of adolescents, particularly girls, will help shape policies and programmes that invest in their potential, advance gender equality, and ensure a brighter future for all,” she added.
She asserted that the engagements highlighted the urgent need to place adolescent girls at the centre of decision-making processes, ensuring their voices and leadership influence policies that directly affect their lives.
UNICEF and its partners, Madam Tumwebaze emphasised, have pledged to continue translating these insights into concrete action by strengthening programmes that empower adolescent girls and provide them with the opportunities needed to thrive.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced that the August edition of the National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon across the capital.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 27, 2026, the Assembly directed traders, shop owners, transport operators, market leaders, corporate institutions, organisations and residents to keep their shops and business premises closed during the exercise.
The AMA explained that the clean-up would focus on desilting drains, clearing choked gutters and waterways, sweeping public spaces and evacuating refuse.
According to the statement, the exercise will take place in all sub-metros, electoral areas, markets, lorry parks, communities, business districts and other public spaces within the metropolis.
The Assembly indicated that the exercise forms part of its efforts to improve environmental sanitation, protect public health, prevent flooding and encourage residents to take responsibility for keeping the city clean.
It called on all residents and business operators to participate actively by cleaning their surroundings, desilting drains, clearing frontage areas and removing refuse.
The AMA warned that strict enforcement measures would be applied during the exercise.
It stated that persons who fail to participate, obstruct the exercise or engage in trading activities during the clean-up period would be arrested, fined, prosecuted before the sanitation court or sanctioned under the Assembly’s bye-laws.
The Assembly therefore urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully and support the clean-up exercise to promote a cleaner, healthier and safer Accra.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Renowned tourism advocate, and Deputy Chief ExecutiveOfficer (CEO) of Ghana TourismAuthority (GTA), Abeiku Santana, has expressed gratitude to Tourism and Hospital (TOHO) Africa after being recognised among outstanding personalities for his contributions to tourism and hospitality on the continent.
In a statement following the announcement, Santana said he was “deeply honoured and sincerely grateful” for the recognition, but stressed that the award was not about him alone.
“This honour is not a personal achievement but a testament to the collective efforts of everyone I have had the privilege to work with over the years,” he stated.
The Deputy CEO of GTA dedicated the recognition to the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ghana Tourism Authority, his colleagues, industry stakeholders, the media, his family, and “every Ghanaian who believes in the power of tourism to transform lives and drive national development.”
Mr.Aggrey reaffirmed his commitment to championing sustainable tourism and promoting Ghana’s rich culture and heritage.
He added that he will continue working with partners across Africa to position the continent as “the world’s preferred destination for tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.”
He also congratulated all other personalities recognised in the *
TOHO100 list.
“Thank you, TOHO Africa, for this honour. Congratulations to all the outstanding personalities recognised,” he said.
The TOHO 100 recognises 100 leading figures in tourism leadership and hospitality across Africa who are driving growth, innovation, and destination marketing on the continent.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
