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UPSA hosts International Women’s Day Convention
Black women in academia continue to navigate a complex landscape marked by invisible rules, shifting expectations and systemic inequities, speakers at the International Women’s Day Convention hosted by the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA), have said.
The event organised in collaboration with the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the Department of Business Administration and the Women’s Executive Office of UTAG, brought together professors and scholars from various institutions who highlighted the experiences of black female academics.
They shed light on both the challenges they face and the strategies they employ to thrive.
Speakers at the day’s event which was organised under the theme: ‘navigating the academic academy as black woman,’ were Prof. Krish Marsh, Professor of Sociology, University of Maryland, USA; Dr Natalie Williams, Associate Professor of Speech Communication; Prof. Cadace Moore, Professor of Clinical Psychology; and Prof. Helen Arkorful, Former Dean of Evening School, UPSA.
One of the key issues raised was the existence of ‘unwritten rules’ within academic institutions.
According to Prof. Marsh, these informal expectations often differ from person to person and are rarely communicated clearly, leaving Black women at a disadvantage.
“There is no clear guideline, the expectations keep shifting it’s a moving target. What is acceptable today may not be acceptable tomorrow, and that uncertainty can be exhausting,” she explained.
At the event, Professor Marsh also highlighted how performance expectations are interpreted differently depending on race and gender.
She recounted being labelled ‘arrogant’ and ‘unapproachable’ for meeting publication targets, standards that were typically praised when achieved by their white male counterparts.
Prof. Moore noted that academia, historically structured without women and particularly Black women in mind, often imposes disproportionate scrutiny on their work and behaviour.
She said while women were frequently called upon to represent diversity and excellence, they are simultaneously overlooked for opportunities such as promotions, grants and recognition.
“You are asked to show up and showcase your achievements so the institution can celebrate diversity,” another participant said. “But when it comes to decision-making, funding or advancement, you are often overlooked.”
Prof. Moore underscored the importance of self-care and maintaining a sense of identity beyond academia.
“There is no award for being the most burnt-out woman; you have to protect your peace,” she added.
Prof. Akorful stressed the need to intentionally support and uplift other Black women, particularly students, by sharing knowledge and experiences.
“I make it a point to pass on everything I’ve learned; if I can prepare the next Black woman so she doesn’t have to struggle the way I did, then that’s part of my responsibility,” Prof. Arkorful said.
Prof. William stated that networking beyond one’s department was also critical, adding that building relationships across institutions and disciplines can open doors to opportunities and provide support systems when challenges arise.
She called a clear understanding of institutional policies, warning that informal practices are often misrepresented as official rules.
“Prof. Williams said it was important to know the written policies, stating that sometimes what people call ‘policy’ is simply tradition.
“When you understand the actual rules, you can challenge unfair practices.” she said.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
A woman who is accused of bolting with ‘susu’ money totaling GH₵156,445 has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.
Martha Nana Esi Afful was alleged to have collected the money from 35 complainants.
Charged with 35 counts of fraudulent breach of trust, Martha, who was earlier remanded, pleaded not guilty.
The court, presided over by Mr Joseph Y. Kuunsong on Wednesday, admitted the accused person to a GH₵200,000 bail with two sureties.
One of the sureties, the court said, must be a public servant earning not less than GH₵5,000.
She is expected to reappear on August 12, 2026.
The Prosecution’s case before the court is that the complainants are traders and residents at La in Accra.
Prosecution described Martha as a ‘Susu’ collector, who resided at Burma Camp.
The court heard that the accused person run a business with the name ‘ZOE’ and she deceived the 35 complainants into believing that she collected ‘Susu’ daily, which was kept for a period of one-three years, and paid interest on the money invested.
The complainants contributed in 2023 for a three-year period, prosecution said.
In December 2025, when the complainants went to take their money with interest, Martha went into hiding and only took phone calls from a few complainants.
Prosecution said the accused provided a MTN Momo number through which a few of the complainants still paid monies.
It said all efforts made to collect the money, totaling GH₵156,445 from her, proved futile.
On June 14, 2026, a report was made to the police and Martha was picked up at a washing bay at Tse Addo.
During interrogation, she admitted the offence in her caution statement, saying she lost her husband and relocated to Swedru in the Central Region, hence the complainants were unable to reach her from December 2025 till date.
Prosecution said Martha further stated that she had invested the monies into refuse collection business and she needed time to pay the amount.
Police are investigating the claims. –GNA
A Public Health Nurse at the Roman Ridge Sub-Municipal of the Ayawaso West Health Directorate, Ms Patience Adoli Kporxah, has cautioned the public against coming into contact with floodwaters, warning that exposure can lead to serious diseases, infections and injuries.
Floodwater, she said, should always be treated as contaminated, regardless of how clean it appears, because it may contain sewage, human and animal waste, chemicals, fuel, sharp objects and disease-causing micro-organisms.
In an interview with The Spectator in Accra on Thursday, Ms Kporxah explained that contact with contaminated floodwater exposes people to bacteria, viruses, parasites, hazardous chemicals and other physical hazards that can result in illness or injury.
Her advice came in the wake of recent exposure to floodwater following Monday’s torrential rains that left vast areas of the capital flooded.
As a result, a lot of people were seen either ‘swimming’ in the floodwater to rescue people or retrieving items being washed away.
According to her, exposure to floodwater could cause skin infections, particularly where there are cuts or open wounds, as well as diarrhoea diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and other forms of gastroenteritis if contaminated water was swallowed.
Other health risks, she said include hepatitis A, eye and ear infections, tetanus in people with untreated wounds or incomplete vaccination, and injuries from submerged sharp objects, debris or electrical hazards.
Ms Kporxah advised anyone who had contact with floodwater to monitor their health closely and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe headache, muscle aches, skin rash, difficulty breathing, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
She also urged people whose wounds became red, swollen, painful or begin to discharge pus, as well as those who accidentally swallow floodwater, to report to the nearest health facility without delay.
Although not everyone exposed to floodwater requires immediate treatment, she stressed that pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, individuals living with chronic illnesses and those with significant wounds should seek prompt medical evaluation.
On water safety, Ms Kporxah cautioned that rainwater was not automatically safe for drinking or cooking, especially during or after flooding. She explained that rainwater collected from roofs, gutters or open containers could be contaminated by bird and animal droppings, dust, leaves, bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemical pollutants.
She advised that rainwater intended for drinking should first be treated by boiling, chlorination or another approved water purification method before use.
Touching on food safety, Ms Kporxah said factory-sealed bottled drinks and canned foods with intact packaging might still be safe after flooding.
However, she stressed that any containers submerged in floodwater should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before handling. Foods in paper packaging, damaged containers or products with broken seals should be discarded because contaminated water may have seeped into them.
She further warned that flooding increases the risk of outbreaks of cholera, typhoid fever and other waterborne diseases through contaminated water sources.
In addition, she said flooding could contribute to respiratory illnesses in overcrowded shelters and mould-infested buildings, foodborne illnesses from spoiled or contaminated food, and mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression and trauma.
It could also disrupt access to medicines and healthcare for people living with chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, asthma and kidney disease.
Ms Kporxah therefore urged the public to practice good hygiene, avoid unnecessary contact with floodwater, consume only safe food and drinking water, and seek medical attention promptly whenever symptoms develop.
She said observing these preventive measures would help minimise the risk of disease outbreaks and protect lives as the country continues to experience heavy rains and flooding in some communities.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
