News
Stay away from abusive relationships — DOVVSU
The Head of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police service in the Upper West Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Adongo Apiiya has encouraged women to flee abusive relationships and marriages before they were visited with perpetual harm.
He explained that although domestic abuse could be suffered by either partner in a relationship, the issue was very prevalent among women given their biological and physiological make-up.
“When the husband hits you for the first time, do not let it slide, talk over it, make sure to get proper compensation for that singular act because condoning violence with the hope that the person will change has led to the deaths of some women whereas others had developed mental issues”, he said.
ASP Apiiya said this at a meeting of community and institutional stakeholders on Gender and Sexual Based Violence at Wa on Monday.
His comment came at the backdrop of recent media reports of spousal killings in the country with mostly women at the receiving end.
“Domestic violence is punishable by law but if you allow yourself to be tortured by your spouse to the point of no repair, the law may of course take its course but you may never regain your old self and in instances where the victims die, there is no law under this earth that can bring the person back to life so personal safety should come first”, he admonished.
ASP Apiiya recounted instances where victims had reported abuse cases to DOVVSU and the perpetrators had been dealt with according to the law but the victims remained maimed for life.
“I am not in any way asking that you leave your relationships or marriages at the least provocation but then you need to talk over issues and ensure that no violent act is gone unpunished; if it is becoming unbearable, you can seek help from DOVVSU, the Department of Gender Social Welfare, Legal Aid and others; we can handle the issue promptly to avoid further harm”, he said.
He defined domestic violence as “a pattern of behaviour that frightened, intimidated, humiliated, manipulated or hurt another person in an intimate relationship including marriage, cohabitation, dating or relations within the family.”
He categorised the abuses into physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic violence and said either of the aforementioned had the tendency of causing either physical, emotional or mental harm to the sufferer.
In reference to the 1992 Constitution, ASP Apily, expressed that the Domestic Violence Act, 2007, Act 732 made provisions for the police to apply for protection, court order, free medical care, among others for victims of domestic abuse.
He encouraged women not to shield their abusive spouses in order to safeguard their physical and mental wellbeing.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
For the first time in its seven-year history, the celebrated Guinea Fowl Bazaar has been brought to Accra, marking a significant expansion of an event that has, for the past six years, been a staple in Tamale.
The two-day cultural and culinary festival, held from May 1–2, drew over 500 patrons and featured nearly 20 vendors, to promote Northern Ghana’s rich food culture particularly guinea fowl delicacies.
Hosted by By Faith Catering Services, the bazaar brought together traditional leaders, cultural groups, food entrepreneurs, and government representatives in a display of heritage and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Angelo Dogbe, the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority underscored the importance of promoting indigenous cuisine as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation. Chiefs from the Northern Region also graced the occasion, lending traditional authority and reinforcing the cultural significance of the festival.
A major highlight of the bazaar was a series of captivating cultural performances representing the diverse tribes of the Northern Region. Attendees were treated to traditional music, dance, and attire, transforming the venue into a lively tapestry of Northern identity and pride.
Vendors expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience in the capital. Many noted increased visibility, networking opportunities, and strong sales throughout the two-day event.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of By Faith Catering Services, Mrs. Matilda Zenabu Pipio described the Accra edition as a strategic move to broaden the reach of the festival and create new economic pathways for vendors and producers from the north.
She announced plans to make the Accra bazaar an annual event, emphasizing its potential to boost employment, promote guinea fowl production, and introduce more Ghanaians to the unique flavours of Northern cuisine.
She said, the event is a platform for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and national unity through food.
She commended partners and called on more organisers to support and invest in initiatives like this.
Meanwhile, the organizers of Guinea fowl Bazaar paid a courtesy call to the Editor of Spectator, Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Mr. David Adadevoh, Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times.
Both editors lauded the initiatives and encouraged the organizers to sustain it.
Organizers for the initiative and called on stakeholders and cooperate bodies to support this good course.
By Geoffrey Buta.
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
