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Too much underage sexual activities in Ashanti Region — GSS

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• Dr Faustina Frimpong Ainguah (third from right) and other development partners launching the report Photo: Seth Osabukle
• Dr Faustina Frimpong Ainguah (third from right) and other development partners launching the report Photo: Seth Osabukle

 Underage sexual activities among adoles­cents across the country is most prevalent in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, a latest report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed.

According to the study, the trend was high among females below 16 years with nine districts in the region showing high incidence of such acts.

Led by the Akrofuom district with a staggering 42.0 per cent, the other districts include Amansie South, Amansie Central, Aman­sie West, Adansi Asokwa, Adansi South, Asante Akim South Munic­ipality, Bosome Freho, and Ahafo Ano South East.

The report, which utilised small area estimation to generate data of district-level indicators on pop­ulation health and well-being, is to support the design and imple­mentation of targeted policies and interventions to address challenges at the sub-national level.

Presenting highlights of the “Ad­olescent Risky Sexual Behaviour” report at a news conference in Accra, the Director of Methods and Standards Directorates, GSS, Dr Peter Takyi Peprah, said among males, underage sexual activities were highest in the Eastern region with the Upper Manya Krobo district recording the highest rate (35.7 per cent).

He said situation held dire health, social and economic impli­cations for nation if urgent steps were not taken to reverse the trend as it not only bothered on under­age sex but most adolescents were also engaged in multiple sexual partnerships.

Dr Peprah pointed out the Bono and Western North Regions as notable districts in the top 10 of adolescent girls with more than one sexual partner.

“About one in three girls 15-19 years had multiple sexual partners in the previous 12 months, with highest rates in Dormaa East (38.7 per cent), Dormaa Central Mu­nicipal (37.7 per cent), and Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai (37.5 per cent) districts.

All districts except one in the top 10 that recorded the highest rate of multiple sexual partnership among adolescent boys were in the Oti Region, led by Guan with 36.3 per cent, Nkwanta South Municipal (35.4 per cent) and Krachi Nchum­uru (35.0 per cent),” he explained.

Reacting to findings of the report which was launched with another on the “Utilisation of Maternal Health Services” at the sub-national level, a Gynaecologist with the Ghana Health Service, Dr Athanasius Ayetey Larbi, said the report was timely to help authori­ties make interventions to address the challenges faced by adolescent girls and boys’ sexual behaviours.

“While progress has been made nationally, the persistent intra­regional disparities as presented in these reports require intensified fo­cus in the districts to bridge these gaps and ensure more equitable distribution of resources to tackle these problems.”

Government Statistician, Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim, indicated that the statistics would inform policy decisions, facilitate targeted interventions, and ensure equitable coverage across all 261 districts of the country.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Ghana Statistical Service to producing statistics for design, review and revision of policies as well as baseline data for policies yet to be implemented.

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 Heritage Month Ghana trends

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Since the institution of the Heri­tage Month celebration in Ghana, it has offered citizens opportuni­ties of a lifetime to learn about their cultures and lifestyles.

Ghana’s version is observed in the month of March, coinciding with the country’s Independence Day celebra­tions on March 6.

Heritage Month features festivals, food fairs, arts, crafts, and music events to highlight the economic and social value of preserving national heritage.

Though a brainchild of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), the celebra­tion has been driven to greater heights by local media with the organisation of several events to create the needed euphoria.

Among the events are the Heritage Caravan and Back To Your Village Food Bazaar pow­ered by Accra-based Citi FM and Citi TV, Wear Ghana Festival and the Gɔbɛ festival powered by 3News.

The Heritage Caravan is a road trip which takes patrons across more than half of Ghana’s regions to offer a distinctive road trip that allows participants to explore the various re­gions of Ghana, providing an up-close encounter with the country’s histori­cal and cultural heritage.

In addition to these roles played by the media, news anchors and other presenters appear on screens immac­ulately garbed in locally made outfits, bringing out the beauty of our tradi­tions.

Today, The Spectator news­paper selected a few of the media personalities that are working to give the cel­ebration a global dimension to project the country.  

 By Andrew Nortey

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 MoMo vendor 24 murdered at Kwadaso

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• Mobile money shop
• Mobile money shop

 A disturbing crime has shaken the Kwadaso Onion market communi­ty in Kumasi, leaving family and friends grieving the loss of a young life.

Identified only as Junior, a 24-year-old mobile money vendor, was found murdered in his room on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

According to eyewitnesses, Junior had returned home the previous day with a substantial amount of money, over Gh¢20,000.

It was suspected that the killers might have been motivated by the large sum of money in Junior’s posses­sion.

A police source that confirmed this to The Spectator, said investigation has been launched into Junior’s mur­der, but so far, no arrests have been made.

The Kwadaso community is reeling in shock, calling for justice and an end to the atrocity that has claimed the life of a young and promising individ­ual.

Junior, is believed to be a native of Ejisu Onwe, and was known to his col­leagues and friends as a hardworking and diligent individual who worked at the Kumasi Race Course.

His tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the risks and challenges mobile money vendors faced.

The incident comes barely a month after Patricia Nimako, a 27-year-old Mobile Money (MoMo) vendor, was shot and killed at Krofrom, Kumasi in the Ashanti region by an unknown assail­ants.

The suspected armed robbers fled with the deceased cell phones and an amount of GH¢10,000 on Thursday, February 13, at approximately 3:00 p.m.

The two armed robbers reportedly stormed the kiosk where the deceased was operating and without any provo­cation shot her dead.

There has not been any arrest yet by the police.

 From Kingsley E. Hope , Kumasi

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 Learn how to prepare local dishes…Queen mothers urge young women

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• Some local dishes

 In a heartwarming display of inter­generational wisdom, queen moth­ers from local communities in the Obuasi enclave shared their expertise on how to prepare local diets with young ladies on the International Women’s Day event, courtesy of An­gloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine.

Beyond the fanfare, these revered women leaders took centre stage to impart a vital life skill: traditional cooking as they guided eager students and other young ladies through the art of preparing local delicacies.

In fact, the aroma of ‘Abunabunu’, ‘Aprapransa’, ‘Enuhu’, ‘Akaw’, ‘Tuo Zafi’ (TZ), among others, wafted through the air to the extent it could attract people from a distance, as the queen mothers entertained the young women with tales of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community building.

This year’s International Wom­en’s Day Celebration was under the theme: ‘Accelerate Action for Wom­en’s Equity.’

As the event drew to a close, the queen mothers gave words of wisdom upon their young guests.

From Nana Amoanima Dede, Queen mother of Adansi she stated that: “Never forget your roots, and always remember that the kitchen is not just a place for cooking, but for building connections and forging communi­ties.”

Nana Akua Dwum II, Queen moth­er of Edubiase, on her part urged the young ladies to learn how to prepare traditional dishes in order to preserve cultural heritage of the nation.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the mining company, Samuel Boakye Pobee, mentioned their readiness to roll out an “All-Women Apprentice­ship Programme, aimed at empow­ering young women in the Obuasi communities in entrepreneurship.”

He said the project would include women in basic technical skills and their capacity building to boost their employability to reshape perceptions of women’s roles in traditionally male-dominated industries.

According to the Managing Director, the mining company’s commitment “is to empower young people with specialised skills, and progressive knowledge to make them financially independent.”

The company, he indicated, was accelerating action towards wom­en’s equality at the Obuasi Mine and within host communities with the aim to build a foundation to create an inclusive and supportive business culture.

Mr Pobee expressed the need for innovative approaches and dedicated efforts to encourage and invest in women’s participation in all fields, including all levels of technical and operational areas and must be inten­tional and deliberate.”

 From Kingsley E. Hope, Obuasi

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