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 Sexual demands in exchange for support —plight of adolescent girls

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Unicef rep engaging some students

 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.

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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.

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“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

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GMA rejects claims that vessel monitoring system Is ineffective

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The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has rejected claims by Dennis Miracles Aboagye that its vessel monitoring system is ineffective and that vessels operating in Ghana’s waters are not being monitored.

The Authority described the claims as false and misleading, insisting that its maritime surveillance system is fully operational.

In a press release dated September 22, 2026, the GMA said it had taken note of comments made by Mr Aboagye on TV3’s Daily Brief and Joy FM’s Newsnite programmes.

According to the Authority, it maintains 24-hour surveillance of vessels operating within Ghana’s maritime domain using various maritime monitoring tools.

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It explained that the system is also used to monitor and protect offshore oil and gas facilities, pipelines and submarine cables.

The GMA said it follows standard procedures to track vessels, verify their identities and check their compliance with maritime requirements.

It added that these measures support safety, security and environmental protection within Ghana’s maritime jurisdiction.

The Authority therefore rejected the suggestion that vessels sailing in Ghanaian waters are not being monitored.

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The GMA reaffirmed its commitment to continuous surveillance and the protection of Ghana’s maritime interests, while urging the public to disregard what it described as the inaccurate claims and rely on official information from the Authority.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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Mahama calls for stronger domestic capacity and sustainable financing for Global South

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President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger domestic capacity, effective institutions and sustainable financing as countries in the Global South continue to face growing debt pressures and disruptions in the international development landscape.

Speaking at a Presidential Roundtable organized by the Open Society Foundation in New York on Monday, on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, President Mahama said the priority for developing nations must be to create jobs, improve public services, build infrastructure and expand opportunities, particularly for young people.

“When I speak about sovereignty in this context, I am speaking about the capacity to act,” President Mahama stated.

He further stressed the need for stronger coordination across government, greater domestic resource mobilisation, sound financial management and institutions capable of delivering measurable results.

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“Where an approach proves successful, the next step should be its adoption into public systems, local delivery institutions, and long-term financing models,” he added.

The high-level roundtable brought together presidents and chief executives of major global foundations to discuss sustainable development, financing and strengthening institutions across the Global South.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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