Features
When will this come to an end?
”A convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military has been attacked by some gunmen along the Bolgatanga-Bawku road and three people are reported dead.” This was what l heard from the news and the question that immediately came to mind was, when will this come to an end?
It appears it is getting worse and life for innocent travellers are at risk, on a daily basis. Previous incidents, were not this daring. The attacks were previously on vehicles that travelled without escort.
Now if vehicles, in a convoy, escorted by military personnel, are being attacked, then the situation has really gotten out of hand. The effect of this resurgence of violence in the Bawku enclave, after the effort that has been put in to achieve some peace, is deeply disappointing.
The repercussion on the communities surrounding Bawku, in terms of fear in going about normal activities, the travelling public that ply the route along the Bolga to Paga road, mostly for those travelling to Burkina to bring foodstuff, such attacks is a huge hindrance. Nobody wants to travel to engage in commercial activities, only to get killed.
Economic activities will suffer in the area along the route from Bolgatanga to Bawku since the customers who purchase items from the Bawku area and beyond, are mostly from places further south, from Tamale all the way down to Kumasi and even further south to Accra.
What it means is that commercial activities will be negatively impacted.
On the social front, insecurity will result in measures like curfews which will severely limit normal interactions among friends and society as a whole because movement and activities beyond a certain time in the day cannot happen. Schools may be closed down, church activities will be impacted and life in general will become one very uninteresting venture.
A lot of lives become disorganised because for the achievement of personal goals, planning is key and you need a stable environment for efficient planning. School children going to write major exams like BECE or WASSCE may have to be transported and camped somewhere outside their town, disrupting their preparations towards the exams.
This can seriously affect their success in the exams. Then comes the effect such impromptu relocations will have on the teachers and invigilators, which can negatively impact on the performance of the students.
Development in a peaceful environment. There cannot be substantial development in an area where chaos reigns.
The government can construct the basic infrastructure like roads and a few buildings for government agencies but the rest are usually constructed by private investors construct, malls, high rise offices, residential estates etc.
Residential estates are rented to middle class people and how can they invest in a town or an area where people are running away from due to insecurity?
The cost of providing security for the populace in conflict areas such as Bawku, is a huge drain on the economy, especially economy like ours which cannot afford the luxury of unproductive expenditure.
If we are to compute the amount spent on conflicts in the country in relation to opportunity cost of hospitals, roads and other necessary infrastructure, the urgent need to prevent such conflicts will not be lost on anybody.
Let us therefore strive to avert these conflicts so that resources can be channelled into critical areas of our national developmental agenda.
The chiefs, clergy and relevant institutions and stakeholders, should assist in making this possible. God bless.
By Laud-Kissi Mensah
In recent years, the term “female rage” has gained significant traction, symbolising a collective shift in how women’s emotions are perceived and addressed.
This phenomenon is not merely a fleeting trend but a profound movement rooted in centuries of systemic injustices, personal betrayals, and societal expectations.
As women increasingly reclaim their anger, it is imperative to understand the multifaceted nature of female rage, its causes, and its implications for individuals and society at large.
The historical context of female anger
Historically, women’s emotions have been subject to dismissal, ridicule, and pathologisation. The term “hysteria,” originating from the Greek word for uterus, was used to describe women’s emotional states as irrational and uncontrollable.
This legacy of silencing and shaming has contributed to a culture where women’s anger is often suppressed or stigmatised.
However, with the rise of feminist movements, women are challenging these narratives, asserting their right to express anger and demand change.
The anatomy of female rage
Female rage is not a monolith; it is a complex and multifaceted emotion driven by various factors, including:
1. Societal expectations: The pressure to conform to traditional roles of passivity, politeness, and emotional labour.
2. Gender inequality and pay gaps: Frustration stemming from systemic discrimination in the workplace and beyond.
3. Sexual harassment and abuse: Trauma and anger resulting from pervasive violence and objectification.
4. Emotional labour and burnout: The unsustainable burden of managing emotions and responsibilities in personal and professional spheres.
5. Hormonal fluctuations: The impact of hormonal changes on emotional states, often overlooked or dismissed.
The power of anger: Reclaiming female rage
Far from being a destructive force, female rage can be a catalyst for change. When acknowledged and channelled constructively, anger can drive advocacy, policy reform, and resistance against inequality.
The #MeToo movement, women’s marches, and increased representation in politics are testaments to the power of collective female anger.
Addressing the Stigma: Towards a more inclusive dialogue
To fully harness the potential of female rage, society must address the stigma surrounding women’s anger. This involves:
1. Validation and recognition: Acknowledging women’s emotions as legitimate and worthy of attention.
2. Creating safe spaces: Providing platforms for women to express anger without fear of backlash.
3. Education and awareness: Challenging stereotypes and promoting understanding of women’s experiences.
4. Support systems: Offering resources and support for women dealing with trauma and systemic injustices.
Conclusion
The age of female rage is a moment of profound transformation, where women’s anger is no longer silenced but celebrated as a force for justice.
By understanding the roots of female rage and addressing the societal structures that fuel it, we can move towards a more equitable and compassionate world.
The journey is complex, but the destination-a society where women’s emotions are respected and their voices are heard is worth the struggle.
References:
[1] Chemudupati, P. (2022). _The Rage of Women: A Historical Perspective_.
[2] Traister, R. (2018). _Good and Mad:
By Robert Ekow Grimond-Thompson
Features
From panic to pass: how parents, teachers can help children beat BECE, WASSCE exam phobia- Part 1
Walk through any Junior High or Senior High compound in Ghana as BECE or WASSCE approaches and you will see it.
A bright girl suddenly quiet. A boy who led class debates now sleeping at his desk. A Form three student with stomach pains every Monday morning.
This is not laziness. This is academic stress. When left unaddressed, it hardens into exam phobia-overwhelming dread that pushes children into burnout, avoidance, and sometimes silence.
As a mental health professional who sits with these children and their parents at Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) in Adenta Oyarifa-Teiman, I see the pattern clearly.
Research confirms it. Putwain and Daly (2014) found that high test anxiety predicts lower grades independent of ability. Zeidner (1998) showed that chronic academic pressure raises cortisol, weakens memory recall, and increases school dropout risk. The brain under fear cannot retrieve what it studied.
Understanding the storm: What academic stress really looks like
Exam phobia is not just “being nervous.” It shows up as headaches before mocks, sudden anger when books are mentioned, night-time insomnia, or perfectionism that ends in blank scripts.
Some children over-study until 2 a.m. and forget everything by 9 a.m. Others avoid books completely, scrolling phones instead. Both are distress signals. Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, a paediatrician specialising in adolescent resilience, notes: “Stress is not the enemy; feeling alone with stress is.” Too many Ghanaian children feel alone with it.
The home front: How parents and couples become safe havens, not extra pressure
The first antidote is at home. Structure beats shouting. Set a predictable study slot-same time, same place, with water and a light snack. Then protect sleep like you protect school fees. A tired brain fails faster than an unprepared one. Use the “15-minute start rule”: “Just sit for 15 minutes. If you still can’t, we close and try after a walk.” Often, starting is the hardest part.
Couples must watch their language. “Don’t disgrace us” plants fear. Replace it with “We see your effort. What part feels hardest today?” Praise process, not only position: “You revised three topics and asked for help—that is maturity.” Research by Dweck (2006) confirms that process praise builds resilience while outcome praise increases anxiety.
For caregivers, check your own anxiety. Children borrow our nervous system. If BECE makes you panic, they will panic. One parent grounds—keeps meals, prayer, and bedtime steady. The other pivots—talks to teachers, adjusts timetables, arranges counselling. Both protect rest. An empty cup cannot pour calm.
Resources
– Counsellor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC): Award-winning Clinical Mental Health and Counselling Facility, accredited by the Ghana Psychology Council.
– School-Based Support: Speak to Guidance & Counselling units, or licensed school counsellors. E.g. Counsellor Blessing Offei – 0559850604 (School Counsellor).
– Contact CPAC for Parent Coaching/Counselling & Student Therapy: 055 985 0604 / 055 142 8486
