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Women advised not to use sex as tool of punishment

Male participants at a woman empowerment programme at Charia have called on women to stop using sex as a tool of punishment in getting their grievances addressed.
“If there are issues, we need to talk it over immediately but this is not so no; now when it is time to have six, that is when you will see the woman in a tight fitting shorts or jeans because they have issues with us”, Mr Amadu Sule, a male participant said this at a programme.
He indicated that some men had less reasoning power at that instance and could tell lies and make empty promises just to cool down the women and have their way through.
“Well, if you want to resort to that means, you will realise that most of the promises we will make at that instant will be fake not true so, we should have concrete time to resolve our issues but not during that critical moment”, he stressed.
The men expressed their worries at the event last weekend when they were asked to support the women in the home and stop abusing them.
Another male participant lamented that women who resorted to placing embargo on sex to get their grievances addressed, sometimes refused their husbands sex for days thus compelling the men to look outside their matrimonial homes for another satisfaction.
“Will she now turn round and blame me for breaking the home or abusing her when I find delight in the woman outside than the one at home? why not just talk out issues at the right time and get them addressed so that we will be at peace rather than wearing jeans to bed to register your displeasure on an issue”, he queried.
He advised the women to be humble and submissive so that there would be peace and harmony at home for the man to willingly support them to thrive.
Ms Catherine Amissah, Head of Programmes of the ProNet North, the non-governmental organisation which organised the programme, also encouraged women to respect their husbands.
“Most men have the perception that if women are empowered, they will use the power to abuse them and cause them to suffer so if you do this even when you have not been liberated, how will the man be convinced to give you the power you require”, she asked.
She explained that the aim of the meeting was to appeal to men to share the domestic burden of women to allow them (women) extra time for other activities that would be economically viable.
She lamented that the amount of work on women had made it impossible for some of them to make time to develop and acquire skills that would make them less dependent on men.
“We are not inciting women against men but we are rather saying that women are equally humans who can put their abilities to use; earn an income and support the home, too, so that the burden on men is reduced,” she said.
Ms Amissah encouraged the men to initiate change by treating their daughters as equally as their sons and give them the same opportunities to education and career acquisition for both to become more useful in society and resilient to abuse.#
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency

The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.