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Tackling domestic abuse: Islamic Cleric calls for counseling units at mosques
An Islamic Cleric at Wa in the Upper West Region, Sheik Shaban Mohammed Alhassan has called for the establishment of counselling units at the various central mosques across the country, equipped with professional Islamic counsellors to attend to adherents with issues of domestic abuse.
The Cleric was of the view that as a result of customs, traditions and religious misinterpretations, many people who were abused in their marital homes, particularly women were unable to seek redress from the appropriate quarters and said a recognised unit at the mosque for that purpose would go a long way to assist such victims.
He said that a female victim of domestic violence with physical abuse and marital rape would be faulted by society if she reported the incident to the police and so would recoil and endure the pain, other than report the perpetrator to the law enforcers.
“When people are abused, they sometimes fall on the Clerics who may not necessarily be professional counsellors. There is the difference between giving advice and giving counselling; people who have been abused need professional help so a recognised unit dedicated for the purpose at our places of worship will go a long way to help adherents”, he said.
Sheik Alhassan made the call during a panel discussion on sexual and gender based violence at Wa. The programme which was organised by the Network for Young Women Empowerment (NYWE) sought to discuss issues of concern to women and empower them to report abuse cases in order to restore their sanity in society.
The cleric indicated that the provision of counselling units at the various mosques would provide an avenue for victims to report their cases for immediate action and said professionals were good at handling victims and keeping the issues to themselves.
“Abuse can lead to permanent physical and mental injuries and even deaths in some cases so it requires the necessary attention to ensure that victims receive help on time”, he said.
Sheik Alhassan stated that adherents would trust such centres and would not hesitate to approach them with their concerns and said even if the counsellors were unable to resolve the issues through counseling, they would encourage the victims to seek help from the right quarters.
He called on men to respect the rights of women, give them the platform to exhibit their capacities and also empower them economically in order to make them less vulnerable to abuse.
Adding his voice, the Head Pastor of the Ghana Baptist Convention at Wa, Reverend Amos Sunday, admonished husbands to love their wives as God had instructed in the Holy Bible and treat them with utmost respect.
He called for an end to physical abuse and domestic violence but advised that issues of misunderstanding should be resolved through negotiations and proper communication.
The chairperson of the NYWE, Ms Ida Nakaar, said her outfit was interested in empowering young ladies to stand up against abuses, demand for their rights and lobby for opportunity to participate in discussions that concerned their well-being.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
As part of activities marking Customer Service Week, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has awarded 10 Special Load Tariff (SLT) customers in the Ashanti West Region.
On October 27-29, 2026, the Management of the Ashanti West Region visited these key partners to present them with prestigious plaques and branded ECG souvenirs.
The awards celebrated their valued partnership, consistent patronage, prompt bill payments, and enduring loyalty to the ECG brand.
The 10 companies included XY Plywood Ghana, World Cool Stone Quarry, Asawus Company Limited, Kumasi Cement Ghana Limited, Niwota Company, Lancaster Kumasi City Hotel, Guinness Ghana Limited, Twellium Ghana Company Limited, Kasapreko Company Limited PLC and China Mall Kumasi.
Beyond honouring the organisations, the outreach provided regional management with a valuable platform to interact directly with these strategic stakeholders, gain firsthand insight into their operations, and address their teething operational challenges.
Addressing the awardees, Mr George Amoah, General Manager for the Ashanti West Region, expressed gratitude for their contributions to ECG’s success.
He highlighted the inscription on the commemorative plaque: “The Management and Staff of Ashanti West Region present this prestigious award to your reputable company in recognition for your valued partnership, consistent excellence and loyalty to the company. Thank you for choosing ECG.”
Reiterating the theme of the week, Ing. Amoah emphasised that going “the extra mile” was more than a mantra—it is a core work ethic instilled across all staff members in the region.
“We want to keep the lights on to ensure your business is profitable so that you can continue to employ more people to give our youth a better future,” Mr Amoah stated.
He disclosed that ECG was undertaking numerous system improvement projects across the region to stabilise power supply, increase operational capacity, and attract prospective investors.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Mr Manikandan Krishnan, Head of Maintenance at Kasapreko Company Ltd PLC, expressed appreciation to ECG for the recognition and for supporting their business growth.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Pognaa Rosemary Bangzie Mumwilma I, Queen Mother of Duong in the Nadowli-Kaleo District, has urged women and young girls to prioritise breast and cervical cancer screening to reduce risk factors and improve their well-being.
She said regular screening and early detection were critical to the prevention and treatment of breast and cervical cancers.
Pognaa Mumwilma made the call during a community durbar and free breast and cervical cancer screening exercise held at the St. Anne Health Centre in Duong.
The durbar organised by the Queen Mother and sponsored by CARE Diagnostics Services, was aimed at creating awareness of the signs, symptoms and prevention of the diseases.
It also sought to encourage women and young girls to seek regular screening and treatment without fear or stigma.
The initiative formed part of preparations towards the Mumwille Pog-Yaare 2027 Homecoming celebration and provided an opportunity to engage parents, schoolgirls and other stakeholders on issues affecting girls’ education and academic performance.
Addressing participants, Pognaa Mumwilma described breast cancer as a major public health challenge affecting millions of people across the world.
She noted that many women in Ghana were diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease due to limited awareness, misconceptions, fear of diagnosis and the high cost of screening, particularly among rural women.
She, therefore, called for sustained public education on breast and cervical cancers and advocated the integration of breast cancer awareness into school curricula and community outreach programmes.
According to her, such interventions would help reduce the burden of breast cancer and improve health outcomes among women.
The Queen Mother also advocated policies to make breast cancer examinations more accessible and affordable, especially in public health facilities, to encourage regular screening and reduce late diagnosis.
Dr Theresa Salifu, Chief Executive Officer of CARE Diagnostics Services, said early detection remained key to successful breast cancer treatment and urged women to make regular health screening a priority.
She advised women to seek medical attention immediately they noticed unusual changes in their breasts rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
Dr Salifu cautioned against relying on traditional remedies when symptoms of breast cancer were detected, saying such practices often delayed proper treatment and complicated medical conditions.
She explained that not all breast lumps were cancerous and encouraged women to seek prompt medical assessment whenever they observed unusual changes.
“Breast cancer sometimes occurs without pain, particularly in its early stages. But once a new lump is formed in your breast or armpit, or there are changes in the size of the breast, seek immediate medical attention,” she explained.
A total of 170 women and young girls underwent screening during the exercise.
Of the number screened, 10 women and girls, including two schoolgirls aged between 15 and 17 years, were identified with breast or cervical lumps and referred for further clinical assessment.
Madam Theresa Kayiwie, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the Queen Mother and CARE Diagnostics Services for organising the exercise. -GNA
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