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UG Centre for Gender Studies holds forum
Dr Adolf Awuku Bekoe (second left) speaking at the event
An Engineering student at the University of Ghana, Legon Mrs Anna-Marie Oyan, has appealed to the University to pay attention to derogatory remarks that some lecturers make at students, especially female students, in order to make the University “a gender-safe”institution.
She believes sexist comments could affect female students negatively hence the need to treat such “loose utterances” with the contempt it deserves.
Mrs Anna-Marie Oyan was speaking at a Gender Sensitisation programme last Friday organised by the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) and Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT).
She was part of panellists who spoke at the event on the theme; “Creating a Gender Equitable University Community: Perspectives of Students.”
A Research Fellow at CEGENSA, Dr Abena Kyere, also speaking at the event, said the University of Ghana, being the premier tertiary institution to set up a gender centre, had provided equal opportunity for all category of students.
“We are conscious of the increasing population at the university and we are able to influence others to be gender sensitive within our societies to reflect our cultural norms and values,” she said.
She noted that the University’s Gender Policy addressed a wide range of issues, therefore, students should approach the centre whenever they encountered any misconduct by colleagues, lecturers or any members of the university community.
Highlighting other concerns to be addressed, Mrs Beatrice Boamah, General Secretary of the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) also urged the University to raise awareness on mental health issues in addition to the existing career and counselling centre.
Another panellist, Dr Adolf Awuku Bekoe, noted that despite the strides the University was making, much needed to be done in relation to the lighting system on campus.
“Between the School of Public Health and Sarbah Hall, the lighting system is poor. There are many dark alleys as well which need prompt attention,” he said.
He again tasked students to empower themselves and take advantage of the numerous opportunities the University presented to them.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs Eugenia Selasie Seadey, stated that the introduction of an Affirmative Action Policy at the student level had helped increase the enrollment of females, especially in male dominated programmes.
She lauded student activists and organisations for their advocacy in ensuring gender equity at the university.
A Senior Programme Officer, Mrs Cynthia Sunu, took the students through the role of NETRIGHT in championing Women’s Rights.
By Yunusah Essandoh
The New Times Corporation (NTC) on Monday held its annual thanksgiving service, bringing together staff and management to reflect on the past year, express gratitude, and renew their commitment to the organisation’s growth.
At the service, the Deputy Chairperson of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) and a Board Member of the New Times Corporation (NTC), Madam Charity Binka, called for strong and intentional collaboration among staff, emphasising that unity and teamwork were crucial to transforming the corporation during its challenging times.
“This is a time to break silos, share ideas and work together as one team with a shared vision,” she said, adding that innovation and digital transformation must be embraced to secure NTC’s future.
Madam Binka expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the corporation and its employees despite financial and operational difficulties.
“Though the journey has not been smooth, God has sustained us. We are here today because of His grace,” she indicated, acknowledging the resilience and dedication of staff who have kept The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator among the country’s most respected newspapers.
Quoting Jeremiah 29:11, she encouraged staff to remain hopeful and confident that brighter days lie ahead.
Delivering the sermon, Rev. John Akorli of Word Divine International Ministry at Sukura, Accra, cautioned staff against excessive talking and gossip, warning that careless speech could create unnecessary problems.
Rev. Akorli further reminded staff that their identity should not be defined by past mistakes, family background, or negative labels.
He encouraged them to live confidently, depend on God’s guidance, and remain focused on their responsibilities, noting that spiritual awareness and discipline were essential to personal and organisational growth.
The service ended with prayers for unity, renewal, and a prosperous new chapter for the New Times Corporation.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Catholic Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese, Bishop Joseph Afrifa Agyekum, has expressed concern over the rising rate of divorce in the country, attributing the trend largely to inadequate knowledge about marriage and misplaced expectations of couples.
He said many marriages were collapsing because couples entered into the union without a clear understanding of the responsibilities, sacrifices and commitments that marriage demands.
The Bishop raised the concern while addressing congregants at the 50th anniversary of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church at Madina on Sunday.
According to him, marriage was increasingly being viewed through unrealistic lenses shaped by social media, peer pressure and material expectations, rather than mutual respect, patience and shared values.
“Many people go into marriage with expectations that are not grounded in reality. When those expectations are not met, conflict sets in and eventually leads to separation or divorce,” he observed.
The Bishop noted that some couples lacked proper preparation before marriage, adding that pre-marital counselling was often treated as a formality rather than an opportunity to gain deeper insight into marital life.
He stressed the need for churches, families and society to intensify education on marriage, particularly among the youth, to help them make informed decisions before entering into marital unions.
The Bishop also urged married couples to embrace dialogue, forgiveness and understanding, saying disagreements were inevitable but could be resolved through patience and commitment.
He urged couples experiencing challenges to seek counselling instead of resorting to separation, emphasising that strong families remained the foundation of a stable and progressive society.
By Kennedy Afedzi
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