Gender
Value of African beads and its importance in the Ghanaian society
Have you ever thought of the beauty of African beads and how it heightens the beauty of the body when worn? Or has it ever occurred to you why a king sits majestically in his palanquin with different types of beads around his neck, hands and legs during festivals and durbars?
How about the numerous beauty pageants which aim at projecting the African value through the contestants?
Well, the answer is so simple, these demonstrate the creativity, cultural heritage and the taste we have for our own products.
Typically, in Africa, and to be precise, Ghana, the history of Ghanaian beads dates back to ancient times when they were first used as the king’s currency for the exchange of slaves, textiles and alcohol.
Later on, they became popular in ancient times for the rituals of girls. Today, they are as valuable as foreign exchange earners, and serve as tourist attractions. The modern-day woman, both African and non-African, is rediscovering the beauty of these Ghanaian beads which have become popular today.
Colours and meaning
Speaking to Miss Elizabeth Acquah, a professional in the field of bead making, she explained that the colours of Ghanaian beads have meaning. She said, in certain parts of Ghana, white coloured beads evoke fertility; blue coloured ones are associated with purity; while golden beads are a symbol of wealth.
She further said, ‘Bodom’ beads are yellow with a diamond shape design of a darker colour such as blue and were traditionally produced to be worn exclusively by African chiefs. Once you know what the colours of your beads symbolise, wearing them becomes a personal experience.
But in today’s world, beads have become very fashionable and can be worn by anyone at any time to anywhere, depending on the function.
Today, the importance cannot be spelt out in our Ghanaian society as they play significant roles in projecting our cultural values.
Apart from it being worn on the waist, and worn by chiefs and royals, it can also be worn anytime to any occasion. It can go with nice African print dress or any other nice outfit to church, outdoorings, festivals, weddings and any event. Beads are also used in making foot wears, handbags, earrings and necklace.
Sexual Appeal
It is believed that a woman in waist beads is sexually appealing to men. Most African men love to see their women in beads. Most of them have also admitted that seeing a woman in waist beads turns them on. They love to play with it as their women lay in their arms or during sexual activities as well.
Some women also wear specific beads during sex to send a message to their partners. In the Ashanti and Krobo cultures of Ghana, large beads or bells are added to a woman’s waist beads once she is fertile so she makes noise when she walks to alert potential suitors and this serves as a symbol of femininity.
Body Shapers
Waist beads serve as a natural waist trainer for some women. Wearing of beads can easily tell an African woman whether she is gaining or losing weight. If you were to gain weight, the beads will sit higher on the waist or feel tighter, conversely, if you were to lose weight, the beads will feel loose and fall further down to the hips. Waist beads can be worn all day, every day.
Traditional Practices (Rites of Passage)
There is a belief that beads improve a woman’s curves. Hence, African baby girls are made to wear beads to enhance their curves and also to give them shape as they reach their adolescent stage.
Also, beads are used to mark family status, especially on special occasions such as rites of passage of girls to puberty called ‘dipo’ practised by the Krobos.
Beads can also convey identity and cultural significance. For instance, if a woman is married or a man is a warrior or an elder, the beads on them will indicate it. Large and colourful beads symbolise wealth and social status. Blue beads are thought to enhance fertility.
Healing and Meditation
Some people also believe that waist beads have some healing and protective charms that keep danger away. They are said to relieve people from stress, anxiety or relax the nerves during pregnancy.
Heritage and Pride
Beads are the fundamental part of the Ghanaian heritage. Not only do they testify of the vibrance of the Ghanaian creativity, they also play a significant role in the country’s history, rituals and culture. Sometimes, the waist beads are just a show of love for the Ghanaian and African heritage at large.
Maturity and Growth
For many communities, girls put on beads to signify their transition from adolescent into womanhood.
To conclude, beads play an important role in our Ghanaian society, so anytime you think of heightening your image in various ways, think about beads. And note that every African bead conveys pride, beauty, culture, power and identity.
By Jennifer Nyarko
Student, Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ)
Gender
Parents urged to provide moral guidance to help children transition to adulthood
North Hill International School (NIS), a basic school situated at North Legon in Accra has held its 6th Speech and Prize-Giving Day with a call on parents and guardians to provide the needed moral guidance and support for children to become responsible and disciplined adults in society.
The Guest Speaker for the occasion, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State and Government Communication who made the call in a speech read on his behalf, said this stage was crucial for children to learn values that enable them become responsible members of the family unit, their immediate environment and the country at large.
Themed: “Discipline- The bridge between dreams and reality” the event saw 36 learners in total graduating comprising primary and lower secondary.
Master Vielung Kwadwo Bagbin, son of Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, emerged overall best student.
Mr Ofosu said their formative stage was an age where good habits, behaviours and characters were built which lay a solid foundation for their lives.
In an address, the Principal of the School, Mrs Emma Coleman Opoku, said the school reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence as demonstrated by the outstanding performance of pupils in the 2025 Cambridge Checkpoint Examinations.
She described the outcome as result of tireless efforts from passionate teachers, the determination and diligence of pupils and the support of parents.
Over the years, she said, NIS has made remarkable strides in the Basic Education Certificate Examinations, consistently raising academic standards and producing outstanding results.
According to her, last year, the school recorded exceptional achievements including ten grade ones with two pupils attaining eight grade ones and another achieving six grade ones.
“Despite these successes, we have observed a decline in interest and enrollment in the GES curriculum,” she said.
The Principal indicated that, after careful examination and in light of current enrollment figures, the school has decided to suspend the GES curriculum temporarily.
On her part, the General Manager of the school, Mrs Bernice Adu Boateng, expressed gratitude to teachers for their dedication and professionalism and the invaluable role of parents which has brought the school thus far.
Come September, she said the school would roll out digital boards to complement the use of projectors and desktops in every classroom to infuse the use of technology to enhance facilitator-learner activities.
In a Global Perspective Project titled, “ Acting on Poverty and Inequality “, Year 7 pupils of the school raised an amount of GH₵17,530 to support the cause and donated used personal effects to Potter’s Village.
The Administrator and Human Resources Manager of the school, Mrs. Bertha Boamah Benin, expressed profound appreciation to companies and individuals that supported the event.
By Francis Cofie
Gender
Take control of your financial future …female students urged
Mrs. Janet Acheampong Otoo, Treasurer of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), has urged young women to take control of their financial future by embracing literacy, confidence, and purposeful planning.
Speaking at the university’s Financial Literacy Summit over the weekend, she emphasized that “money is power” and that women must be empowered with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions.
The summit, organised by the Student Representative Council, was held under the theme “Financial Fitness: Building wealth and securing your future.”
Mrs Acheampong Otoo explained that financial literacy was more than budgeting—”it encompasses saving, investing, and managing debt”.
However, she noted that many women still struggle due to a confidence gap that hinders their ability to create and follow effective financial plans.
“Financial independence is about freedom, confidence, and the ability to pursue your dreams,” she said. “As women, we have the power to shape our own futures and contribute meaningfully to society and family life.”
She encouraged female students to attend workshops, read widely, and avoid impulsive spending on beauty and lifestyle. “Every financial decision should align with your long-term vision,” she added. “Believe in yourself. Lead the charge.”
Joining the conversation, the Municipal Chief Executive of Sekyere South, Mr Evans Amo Twumasi, called financial literacy one of the most overlooked foundations in nation-building.
“In today’s world, the line between economic survival and financial freedom is drawn not by luck but by knowledge and discipline,” Mr Amo said. “Money may be finite, but knowledge is infinite—and financial discipline is the bridge between them.”
He stressed that financial fitness was not just about saving or spending, but understanding the value of a cedi, the cost of each decision, and the power of forward planning. With the right mindset and habits, he said, anyone can achieve economic resilience and long-term success.
Mr Amo urged students to embrace financial education as a tool for personal transformation and national progress. “The future does not belong to those who merely wish for wealth—it belongs to those who plan it, save it, and work for it,” he said.
He also called for policies that strengthen entrepreneurship and youth empowerment and encouraged students to respect money and use it with purpose.
Other speakers included Dr Evans Duah, Dr Prince Gyimah and Prof. Joseph Mbawuni, all lecturers at the University.
From Kingsley E. Hope
