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Transatlantic slave trade is the greatest crime against humanity- President Mahama tells UN
The President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has expressed dissatisfaction with the transatlantic slave trade, describing it as the greatest crime against humanity.
Addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the President recalled that millions of Africans were forcibly taken from their homelands to create wealth for powerful nations.
He observed that while former slave owners received compensation for what was described as property, enslaved Africans and their descendants were denied justice for centuries.
He announced that Ghana, in its role as Africa’s champion on reparations, will table a motion before the Assembly to demand reparations for slavery, colonization, the exploitation of natural resources and the looting of cultural heritage.
He stressed the need for the full return of African artifacts taken abroad.
Turning to contemporary conflicts, President Mahama condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing the situation as a crime that cannot continue.
He reminded the Assembly that Ghana recognized the State of Palestine in 1988 and has consistently supported a two-state solution.
He explained that such an arrangement is not a reward for Hamas but a relief for innocent Palestinian women, children, and civilians enduring collective punishment.
The President also drew attention to the war in Sudan, which the UN has described as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
He noted that 12 million people had been displaced and urged the international community to extend to Sudanese refugees the same level of support offered to those fleeing Ukraine.
President Mahama expressed concern about the decline in global humanitarian aid, estimating a 40 percent drop since July 2024.
He argued that Africa must take control of its natural resources, secure fairer deals with foreign investors and promote value addition on the continent.
He stressed that Africans were tired of being portrayed as poor and marginalized despite the continent’s immense wealth.
On global governance, the President pressed for urgent reform of the United Nations, describing its founding charter as outdated.
He questioned a system that allows a few powerful nations to exercise near total control while the principle of sovereign equality is enshrined in the Charter.
He recommended that veto power should not be absolute and urged that the Assembly be granted authority to challenge it.
Looking to the future, President Mahama underlined Africa’s growing role in global affairs.
He pointed out that by 2050, more than a quarter of the world’s population will be African, with one third of all young people aged 15 to 24 living on the continent.
“The future is African,” he declared to the Assembly.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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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