News
Two soldiers grabbed for brutalising widow
For refusing to vacate the house of her late husband, a 28-year-old widow has been subjected to severe beatings allegedly by two military men at Bonwire in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The incident, which took place on Tuesday at about 6am, saw the military men vandalising some property in the house also.
A report made to the Bonwire Police led to the arrest of the two soldiers whose names have been kept for security reasons.
Ashanti Regional Crime Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Felix Kwasi Cosmos confirmed the arrest to The Spectator saying the two had been handed over to the Military Command for further action.
Major Christiana Osei-Duah, Public Relations Officer of the Fourth Battalion of Infantry also corroborated the story adding that, investigations into the matter were underway but would not give further details.
But, reports available to The Spectator indicated that, the two military men stormed Mrs Yaa Boatemaa Agyapong’s house on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, around 6:00 am and ordered her to vacate the premises.
Information is that, since the demise of her husband about two years ago, her late husband’s family members had been pestering her to vacate the house but she would not budge.
The mother of the victim, Madam Abena Serwaa, narrated that, the house was built by “my daughter’s husband and he gave it to my daughter but the family of my daughter’s late husband is demanding the ownership of the property”.
She claimed a sister-in-law, Nana Ama, went to the house with the two military men on that fateful day to eject the daughter.
According to her, “they told my daughter to produce documents to prove that her late husband gave the house to her and my daughter told them to take her to court if they need the documents”.
“They, then, started beating my daughter and vandalised some property in the house,” she added.
As at the time of filing this story, Mrs Yaa Boatemaa Agyapong had been treated and discharged from the Ejisu Government Hospital.
From Kingsley E.Hope, Kumasi
News
Govt urged to provide safe, supportive environment for menstruating girls
The government has been urged to take urgent steps toward providing a safe and supportive environment for menstruating girls to ensure proper personal hygiene and promote school attendance.
Sarah Nkansah Boateng, a midwife at the Eastern Regional Hospital made the call during a forum organised as part of activities to observe Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The event was held under the theme “Together for a Period-Friendly World.”
She noted that many girls skip school during their menstrual periods due to a lack of access to sanitary products and appropriate spaces to change them.
“The basic necessities for these girls are not being provided; creating a safe and enabling environment is crucial,” Madam Boateng emphasized.
She called on school authorities and policymakers to prioritise the construction of hygienic and private changing spaces in schools.
She further appealed for a collective effort to address menstrual health challenges affecting girls in the community.
The New Juaben North Municipal Director of Health Services, Nana Yaa Konadu, also highlighted her office’s initiatives in both school-based and community clinics to educate young girls on menstrual hygiene.
She stressed the health implications of poor menstrual hygiene, saying, “When girls lack access to sanitary pads and a clean environment, it can negatively impact their reproductive health.”
Madam Konadu warned that the absence of menstrual hygiene facilities and products left some girls vulnerable to exploitation, increasing the risk of teenage pregnancy.
The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben North, Mr Samuel Adongo, described menstruation as a natural biological process and not a taboo or burden.
He expressed concern over the poor state of sanitation facilities in schools.
“I have visited almost all public schools in the municipality, and none has a proper, standard toilet facility suitable for girls,” he stated.
Mr Adongo assured that the assembly would work to create an enabling environment to reduce school absenteeism related to menstruation.
“Too many girls are missing school because of their menstrual cycle, and this is unacceptable,” he added.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
News
Akwesi Agyeman, Ekpe vow to lead GJA to ‘era of purpose and professionalism’
As the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) prepares for its national elections, two of the key contenders, General Secretary Aspirant Akwasi Agyeman and Vice Presidential hopeful Rebecca Ekpe have called for a return to ethical journalism, stronger mentorship and institutional reforms.
They both made the remarks during separate visits to The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times, respectively to solicit for votes.
Akwasi Agyeman, an Editor with Multimedia is seeking to lead the association into what he calls a “new era of purpose and professionalism.”
He stressed the urgent need to reposition the GJA as a strong and relevant voice in national affairs.
“We cannot continue with business as usual. The GJA must be visible, active, and fearless in advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists,” he said during a meeting with media practitioners in Accra.
Mr. Agyeman noted that his leadership will focus on building partnerships, improving member services, and restoring the dignity of the Association. “We need to rekindle the spirit of solidarity within the GJA and provide real value to members, especially the younger generation,” he added.
Ms Rebecca Ekpe, a respected Broadcast Journalist and Editor, echoed similar sentiments in her call for mentorship and capacity building.
“I discovered through my journey that journalism is not just my job, it is who I am. My path in journalism was shaped by my seniors in the newsroom, and now I feel called to give back,” she said.
Ms Ekpe envisions a GJA where senior journalists regularly engage with young professionals through face-to-face mentoring and training platforms. “Even if you attend a session and pick just one idea, it could change the course of your career,” she remarked.
She also raised concerns about the rise of misinformation and the blurred lines between journalism and social media content creation. “People sit online insulting others and call themselves journalists. When they are attacked, GJA defends them, but we must ask: are they truly journalists? We must protect the integrity of our profession,” she stressed.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo wished them well in their campaigns and quest to serve the GJA.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
