There was joy written all over the faces of mothers and their babies at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Eastern Regional Hospital, Koforidua when a philanthropist came to their rescue by footing their medical bills.
The affected patients numbering about eighteen (18) included new mothers who delivered through cesarean sessions following complications during labour.
The philanthropist, who is the founder and chairman of the Kabaka Foundation, came to the aid of the patients after management of the hospital made a passionate appeal to him.
The presentation of the cash amount of GH¢17,000 also coincided with his birthday.
“I decided to offer this support because this was where I was born in Koforidua. When the management of the hospital contacted me, I decided to come here with my team to support our mothers and their babies. I feel disheartened when I hear people are unable to pay their hospital bills because of lack of money. Health is a basic necessity which needs not to be joked with,” Nana Owiredu Wadie known in private life as Mr. Richard Nana Kwasi Wadie explained.
Through the foundation, Nana Owiredu Wadie who is the development chief of Kwahu Nkwatia also donated large quantities of soaps, detergents, milo, baby diapers, soft drinks, bottled water, among others, to the hospital to take care of patients, particularly pregnant and nursing mothers.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Henry Larbi, said the gesture forms part of the foundation’s aim to reduce maternal mortality to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
The foundation is constructing a one-storey ultra-modern Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU, at a cost of GHC1.9 million for the hospital.
The unit, which is is about 60 percent complete consists of a children’s ward for NICU babies, Out Patient Department (OPD), consulting rooms, conference rooms, high dependency ward, low dependency ward, an additional mothers hostel, stable patient ward, isolation ward, standard OPD and emergency ward.
The cedi is ranked as the worst among the 30 top-performing currencies on the African continent.
In July, August and September the cedi lost almost 21% in value to the US dollar, pounds sterling and Euro.
The cedi’s woes come on the back of high debts and low investor confidence which has made it impossible for Ghana to access the international capital market for borrowing.
The government says the IMF support is to help the country recover from challenges caused by external factors such as the covid pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Bank of Ghana interventions to stabilise the cedi:
1. Once disbursed, the recently approved US$750,000,000 Afriexim loan facility by Parliament, is expected to boost Ghana’s forex position.
2. The Cocoa Loan is expected in the last quarter of the year. This facility will also help provide more foreign currency to help address the cedi depreciation.
3. Gold Purchase Programme to increase foreign exchange reserves.
4. Special Foreign Exchange Auction for the Bulk Distribution Companies (BDCs) to help with the importation of petroleum products.
5. Bank of Ghana is entering into a cooperation agreement with the mining companies to provide BOG with the opportunity to buy gold as when it becomes available.
7. The IMF programme once finalised, will also go a long way to help restore confidence in the economy and drive portfolio flows. These measures will go a long way to increase the foreign exchange reserve position of the Central Bank.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, a former deputy minister of communications, has criticized Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the most recent lowering of Ghana’s credit ratings by Moody’s.
Ghana’s long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings were lowered from Caa1 to Caa2 by the international rating agency Moody’s Investors Service, and the ratings were put under review for a possible downgrade.
Moodys claims that the downgrade reflects the recent macroeconomic deterioration of Ghana’s economy, which has led to further heightened government liquidity issues, challenges with debt sustainability, and a higher probability of default on debt.
“Without external support, the government’s policy levers to arrest a worsening macroeconomic backdrop and heavier debt burden are extremely limited; the government’s small revenue base, large and increasingly absorbed by interest payments, further intensifies the policy dilemma between competing objectives, including servicing debt while meeting essential social needs,” Moody’s said on its official website on September 30, 2022.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, while reacting to the downgrade in a tweet shared on October 3, 2022, intimated that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as the head of Ghana’s Economic Management team is responsible for the economic meltdown.
“Moody’s downgrades Ghana again. This time to Caa2. Bawumia has been an unmitigated disaster and a complete waste of time as head of the Economic Management Team,” the tweet the former deputy minister read.
This is the second time in less than two weeks that Ghana’s credit ratings have been downgraded. The Long-Term Local-and Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) of Ghana have downgraded by the international credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings, on September 23, 2022.
In a release posted on its website (fitchratings.com), the agency indicated that it normally does not give credit ratings below CCC.
“Fitch Ratings has downgraded Ghana’s Long-Term Local- and Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) to ‘CC’, from ‘CCC’. Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to issuers with a rating of ‘CCC’ or below,” parts of the release read.
The ‘CCC’ rating implies that Ghana is considered a “junk” country in terms of investment and any investor who buys a bond issued by the Government of Ghana is at a high risk of not getting his/her investment.
All is set for the grand finale of the 2022 Ghana’s Most Beautiful pageant on Sunday, October 9, 2022.
After excelling throughout the many weeks since the competition started, Asiedua goes into tonight as one of the favourites in the final to take home the enviable crown.
Named Grace Afenyi Owusu-Arhin but using Asiedua as her stage name, the Central Regional representative has wowed judges with her performances and earned fans not only from her region but across the country.
Despite equally good competition from four other finalists, 23-year-old Asiedua deserves the crown having evolved throughout this season.
For a young lady who carries herself as a well-groomed woman from a good home, it was no surprise when she was named Best Costumed contestant on the final eviction night.
In her eye-catching costume, Asiedua used her eloquence to her advantage and convinced the judges why they should keep her in the competition to advance to the finals.
She stressed that she has a keen interest in the transformation process of GMB contestants from girls into women of integrity.
When crowned GMB Queen for this season, Asiedua who is a trained journalist has set her sight on embarking on a project to get school dropouts back in school.
She has also taken it upon herself to help equip the youth with various crafts to enable them take care of themselves, and their families, and also live a good life to become important members of society.
Becoming a Queen will mean the Central region has produced four different winners since GMB started, the most by any region.
To see the beautiful Asiedua winning the 2022 GMB, kindly dial *713*13# or download the TV3 reality app to vote for her.
Don’t forget to show massive support by voting as many times as possible.
In the first half of 2022, the nation produced 25.8 million barrels (bbls) of crude oil from its three offshore producing fields, Jubilee, Tweneboa Enyera and Ntomme (TEN), and Gye Nyam Sankofae (SGN), a decrease of roughly 1.9 million barrels from the production of the previous year.
Jubilee produced 14.9 million barrels, or 57.6% of the total, followed by SGN with 6.5 million barrels, or 25.4 percent, and TEN with 4.3 million barrels, or 17 percent.
This is the third straight decline in year-over-year (yoy) crude oil production volumes since the natural resource began commercial production, representing a 6.9 percent decrease from first-half 2021 production.
Meanwhile, crude oil production increased in the Jubilee Field by 16.6 percent.
PIAC noted that despite the decline in crude oil production during the period under review, a surge in prices resulted in government realising more revenue, US$731.9million; more than its set target.
However, it will be recalled that a March 2022 report commissioned by PIAC first indicated that production from the Jubilee Field started declining in 2016 from a peak of 102,498 barrels of oil per day (bopd) in 2015; whereas TEN started declining in 2019 from a peak of 64,541 bopd in 2018. But SGN production was projected to decline in 2021 from a peak of 51,232 bopd in 2020.
Also, while total production from Ghana’s three fields peaked in 2020, the report said it is forecast to last for at least three years – after which production will continuously decline if nothing is done by way of new in-fill developments on these existing fields or new fields coming on-stream.
It also included the delayed commissioning of gas processing and export infrastructure (gas management challenges), and stalled field developments as no new field has gone into production since 2017 – despite the operators of some fields hitherto publicly announcing curtailment of investments for new exploration and developments due to the oil-price slump (2014-2017; and 2020-2021), COVID-19 pandemic and the energy transition.
Ghana has signed eighteen petroleum agreements/contracts (PAs) since 2004 covering its offshore basins; namely the Accra-Keta cretaceous basin (Eastern), Saltpond (Central) palaeozoic basin, and Tano-Cape Three Points cretaceous basin (Western).
Of these, only three producing fields – namely Jubilee, TEN and SGN – continue to account for petroleum revenues.
“A declining industry undermines growth, diminishes revenue expectations for Ghana, and makes redundant the stock of skilled labour in the industry that Ghana has rapidly built over the decade,” the report stated.
In response to these developments, the Africa Programme Officer of Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), Denis Gyeyir, said it demonstrates the slowness of exploration activity on the upstream oil blocks.
“It also partly reflects developments in the energy space, with many international oil companies (IOCs) halting new exploration activities while exploring and redirecting investments to cleaner options in the renewable energy space.
“Ghanaians must be worried only as far as government does not put in place mechanisms to deal with the reduced interest in exploration, outline plans for renewable energy development, and measures to deal with a potential reduction in revenues when crude oil prices decline on the international market,” he stated.
However, he observed that the high price of crude oil on the international market has masked the full effects of reduced crude oil production. This, he said, should offer a window of opportunity for government to take steps to reverse the declining trend.
Also, the Africa Centre of Energy Policy (ACEP) said while Ghana has said it wants to aggressively explore these resources even before Energy Transition (ET) fully kicks-in, it is worrying to note that not much is being done to make it realisable.
Among other concerns, ACEP in a report earlier in the year reckoned that several companies have been awarded blocks while they remaining inactive. The upstream oil and gas sector’s limited activity undermines its contribution to government revenue and general economic growth. The year-on-year decline in production signals an urgent need for policy and regulatory reforms to encourage investment in the sector
Our forex bureau rates are provided by Afriswap Bureau De Change in Osu, Accra.
On the Interbank forex rates from the Bank of Ghana today, October 4, 2022, the Ghana Cedi is trading against the dollar at a buying price of 9.6000 and a selling price of 9.6096.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 10.6954 and a selling price of 10.7080 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 10.6954 and a selling price of 10.7080.
The Euro is trading at a buying price of 9.4100 and a selling price of 9.4194 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 9.4100 and a selling price of 9.4194.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Euro is being bought at a rate of 9.95 and sold at a rate of 10.30.
The South African Rand is trading at a buying price of 0.5334 and a selling price of 0.5337 compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 0.5334 and a selling price of 0.5337.
The Nigerian Naira is trading at a buying price of 45.4866 and a selling price of 45.5095 as compared to yesterday’s trading of a buying price of 45.4866 and a selling price of 45.5095.
At a forex bureau in Accra, Nigerian Naira is being bought at a rate of 12.00 Naira for every 1 Cedi and sold at a rate of 15.50.
The weak performance of the Ghana cedi to the dollar impacted negatively on the Ghana Stock Exchange, as the Accra Bourse was the worst performing stock exchange on the African continent in dollar term, in the nine months of 2022.
It recorded -39% return for investors in dollar term as of September 30, 2022. However, in cedi term, it registered -11.80% return for investors.
This performance is far from last year’s achievement where it was the second best performing stock market in Africa.
In dollar term, the GSE placed 15th out of 15 top stock exchanges in Africa. In cedi term, its position was 11th.
The capital market has so far this year not been left out of the challenging economic environment.
It was hit severely by the rapid depreciation of the cedi and the rising inflation in the first-half of this year, and the situation continues unabated.
For the Financial Stock Index, the market has recorded -3.80% for investors, so far in 2022.
Also, total market capitalization at the end of September 2022 stood at ¢63.9 billion, compared with ¢64.49 billion in December 31, 2022.
Meanwhile, 15 stocks had lost value since January 1, 2022, compared with seven gainers.
SIC Insurance is the biggest gainer, recording a 312% gain in value since January 2022. It is presently selling at 33 pesewas per share.
Access Bank follows closely, registering 27.30% gain in value, selling at ¢4.10 per share.
Meanwhile, licensed buying cocoa firm, PBC, was the biggest loser shedding 33% in value. It is selling at 2 pesewas per share.
GSE records -24.1% return in dollar term for investors in first-half of 2022
The GSE ended the first-half of of 2022 with a negative year-to-date return of 24.13% in dollar term.
This placed the country 12th out of the 15 top stock exchanges on the African continent.
The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has pulled its sponsorship for 2022 MTN FA Cup winners, Accra Hearts of Oak.
It can be recalled that last season, the state-owned company announced a one-year sponsorship deal with the Phobians worth a million Ghana cedis.
Unfortunately, reports suggest that the deal will not be renewed after the expiration of the contract.
A hint was given at the end of the season when Asante Kotoko presented the Ghana Premier League title to officials of NLA.
Director General for the outfit, Sammy Awuku disclosed that it is possible the other club being sponsored [Hearts of Oak] will not be considered for a contract extension.
“The NLA going into next season might not sponsor all the clubs again but Kotoko you have made yourself worthy so we will consider sponsoring you.
“For every team, we decide to sponsor going forward if at the end of the season you are not part of the top three we won’t consider you again,” the NLA Director General said.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that talks are ongoing between Asante Kotoko and NLA on a contract extension of the sponsorship deal.
The cost of mental healthcare in the country has gone up with fears among stakeholders that the situation can undermine accessibility and worsen the conditions of needy persons with mental health disorders.
Investigations by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) have revealed that some mental health facilities have reviewed their service charges upwards to sustain operations amid limited funds and dwindling donor support.
The National Health Insurance Scheme, intended to facilitate free treatment of persons with mental health conditions as mandated by the Mental Health Act, 2012, is not accepted by many facilities.
Such facilities, the GNA gathered, are compelled to pass on some cost of operation to patients or risk shutting down.
According to the Mental Health Authority (MHA), public mental facilities had received limited funds- “peanuts” – from the Government to operate since the year started, making it difficult for them to provide free treatment.
The Authority said some of the facilities had been saddled with debts and had been taken to court by their suppliers.
The MHA said the situation may get worse until the country establishes a Mental Health Levy to ensure sustainable funding for mental healthcare.
The Basic Needs Ghana, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to mental health advocacy, has also called for the mainstreaming of mental healthcare into the general primary healthcare system to ensure that persons with mental health conditions could visit public hospitals for treatment.
Cost of treatment up
At the Accra Psychiatric Hospital for instance, the cost of consultation and hospital card, has increased from GHS60 to GHS100. A one-month admission fee has also increased from GHS1,500 to GHS2,500.
When GNA News Team visited the Facility on Friday, September 30, 2022, it (Team) was told that the Hospital was not accepting the NHIS card.
The Team was told that aside consultancy and admission fee that had gone up, the cost of all other tests, including blood and sugar level, were to be taken care of by patients.
A source at the Hospital said they (patients) were also to pay for medications because the Facility was not accepting national health insurance.
“Things have changed, and we are suffering. My brother is not well but I can’t bring him here regularly because now, the services are very expensive. We can’t afford it…,” Nana Ama, a middle-aged trader, told the Ghana News Agency.
A staff of the Hospital said, “some people leave without accessing care when informed about the increase in cost of service delivery.”
What the law says
In 2012, Ghana passed a new Mental Health Act intended to create a new system of mental healthcare in the country.
“Things have changed, and we are suffering. My brother is not well but I can’t bring him here regularly because now, the services are very expensive. We can’t afford it…,” Nana Ama, a middle-aged trader, told the Ghana News Agency.
A staff of the Hospital said, “some people leave without accessing care when informed about the increase in cost of service delivery.”
What the law says
In 2012, Ghana passed a new Mental Health Act intended to create a new system of mental healthcare in the country.
In an interview, Professor Akwasi Osei, Chief Executive Officer, MHA, said mental health facilities were compelled to pass on the cost of treatment to patients because they lacked funding.
He said the establishment of the Mental Health Levy was the surest way to address the funding gap.
“Until the Mental Health Levy is established, and we don’t have money to support them (mental health facilities), this is what is going to happen,” Prof. Osei said.
Mr Peter Yaro Badimak, Executive Director, Basic Needs Ghana, said the Mental Health Fund, established under the Mental Health Act, “only exists by name.”
He said the cost of mental healthcare has gone up because “virtually nothing goes to the mental health sector despite government policy that treatment is free of charge.”
“Those who cannot afford and have mental challenge, will live with it unfortunately, and their conditions could go worse,” Mr Badimak said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 10 per cent of the population of Ghana (30.8 million) has one form of mental disorder or the other.
Access to quality healthcare (physical and mental health) is a fundamental human right as enshrined in WHO’s Constitution, adopted by member countries.
“The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition,” says the preamble of the Constitution.
Mental health was included in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015.
The WHO recognises mental health as key to achieving social inclusion and equity, universal health coverage, access to justice and human rights, and sustainable economic development.
New Patriotic Party (NPP) polling station executives are mounting pressure on Alan Kyerematen to resign as Trade and Industry Minister to enable him to focus on his presidential ambition, Hopeson Adorye has said.
The former NPP parliamentary candidate for Kpone Katamanso in an interview with Okay FM on October 3 extolled the qualities of Alan Kyerematen.
He stated that Alan Kyerematen has in the course of his lifetime distinguished himself and has patiently waited for his turn to be the flagbearer of the elephant party.
He indicated that the Trades Minister remains the only candidate amongst the lot whose names have popped up in the flagbearership race to retain the party in power in 2024.
Adorye stated that Alan Kyerematen’s appeal to electorates cuts across the political divide as well as persons belonging to the middle class.
“We are bringing him that is why we say ‘eduruwoso’. The question we must ask is which candidate won’t take us into opposition. All the aspirants are okay but which of them won’t take us to the opposition? It is only one person who will retain us in power.
“He is someone who appeals to the middle class, children, party members and is able to sway opposition members to vote for NPP. He is in the person of Alan Cash. Apart from him, no one else. Nobody can find fault with him because he is a man who has distinguished himself. Alan has comported himself when it comes to adhering to NPP’s ban on a campaign,” he said.
On the occasion of the Trades Minister’s birthday yesterday, Adorye said party members throng the minister’s office to celebrate with him while also urging him to resign from his role in government.
He expressed confidence that NPP delegates will vote massively for him in the race in which he is expected to come up against some other heavyweights in the party.
“On his birthday today [October 3, 2022], party delegates are in his office to prevail on him to leave his appointment in government and come and lead the party. The Bible says they that wait shall renew their strength. If you look at the way Alan has waited, even when in 2006 he attempted to contest he was prevailed upon to allow J. A Kufuor and others to lead.
“He waited patiently and prepared himself until now. God will make a way for him by Grace. If you have an objective, God will deliver on it for you if you are focused on it. With Christ in the boat, we will sail through. By 2024, about 140,000 out of 200,000 delegates to elect flagbearer will vote for Alan Kyerematen to win 2024 elections,” Adorye stated.
Further commenting on election 2024, the staunch supporter of Alan Kyerematen said that the opposition NDC have no choice but to bring former President John Dramani Mahama.
In a contest between the two candidates of the leading political parties, the former NPP parliamentary candidate said Alan Kyerematen will deliver a resounding victory for the governing party by obtaining 54% of the votes cast.
“It is the polling station officers who are bringing Alan as flagbearer. They are always asking him when he is stepping down from his role as minister. The people on the ground are mounting pressure for him to step down. NDC’s candidate is automatically John Mahama. John Mahama facing Alan…you will see NPP garnering 54% of votes cast. I’m sure on that,” a confident Adorye submitted.
Background
The New Patriotic Party, is bent on breaking the eight-year rotational power cycle between itself and the opposition party NDC.
Ahead of that, it is billed to elect a flagbearer next year. Some of the names which have popped up besides Alan Kyerematen include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, and Former NPP General Secretary, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong amongst others.
Political analysts however predict that the contest is going to be a two-horse race between Alan Kyerematen and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addohas directed the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) to investigate the circumstances under which some state agencies were cited for infractions in the 2021 Auditor-General’s report.
The President says SIGA must present its report to the Chief of Staff within four weeks.
The President was speaking at a meeting with Board Chairs of State Owned Enterprises.
“I am directing the Director General of SIGA to work with the Auditor General to draw down the causes of the infractions, identify persons responsible, and make the necessary recommendations as prescribed by law,” he said.
The president noted that the current trend of affairs did not reflect well on the various enterprises.
“It is a clear indication of poor supervision and management, as well as poor enforcement of implementation and sanctions of the needed measures.”
The President thus charged the board chairs to ponder over why Specified Entities were not faring well whilst their counterparts in the private sector were thriving in the same sectors and making gains.
“I charge you to change the narrative. I look forward to a better picture when we meet next year by this time,” he said, encouraging the entities to trade amongst themselves to increase production and patronage of domestic products and services.
Customers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have over the past few days been left disturbed by power challenges as a result of technical challenges that has affected ECG’s prepaid metering system.
Many users of such meters in several southern regions of the country have had to face the brunt of this unfortunate issue.
In all, there have been major challenges with ECG prepaid meter users in areas within the Volta, Kumasi, Accra, Takoradi, Tema, Cape Coast, Kasoa, Winneba, Swedru, Koforidua, Nkawkaw, and Tafo enclaves, unable to top-up their meters.
Many people have been left without power for days not because they have not recharged their meters, but because the service provider has been unable to fix a major technicality for days.
When it started:
At the beginning of September 2022, some prepaid meters including BOT, ALPHA, and E-CASH, were not responding accurately to power purchased by customers of the ECG.
This was after the implementation of the PURC-approved tariff that took effect from September 1, 2022.
What the ECG said early September:
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) issued a statement on the matter after it began in September.
In the statement, it indicated that it recognized the complaints and stated that it had resolved some technical challenges that impacted the prepaid meters of its customers some days earlier.
“However, customers whose prepaid meters run into negative balance after purchasing electricity should please note that our technicians are making frantic efforts to visit your premises to remedy the situation by reprogramming the meters to ensure the refund your credits and restore power supply,” the statement added.
Prepaid issues resurface as customers are left in darkness:
On September 30, 2022, the problems with ECG prepaid cards emerged again.
Some Ghanaians in some parts of the capital, Accra, had to stay in darkness over the unavailability of prepaid electricity.
The stranded customers said the “unplanned blackout” caused by the unavailability of credit had distorted their activities.
For many others, their businesses had been greatly affected by the situation and for which reason they wanted an immediate solution.
Below are a few tweets from some affected customers
My sister just returned from the ECG office and guess what she couldn’t buy the power. I heard they said someone hijacked their system. I know on Monday we will hear NDC person hacked into their system. In any serious country by now the energy minister will step down.
— Thug Motivation 103???? (@Thugmotivation0) October 1, 2022
Just left the ECG office. Prepaid can still not be bought so they’re taking phone numbers and addresses of customers so they can come to your house and turn the lights on for you. I don’t know how many people they have on the field to be able to execute this task but we’ll see.
This picture will tell you The ECG is the most useless company in Ghana…from network problem to printer damage…huh
I want to ask our leaders if it’s a curse to be a Ghanaian. pic.twitter.com/7Vg657Cqcv
While this situation persisted, there were speculations of a system hack.
Officials of the National Security and National Cybersecurity were reported to have been called in to help the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) address the technical glitch that had resulted in the inability of customers to purchase prepaid credits.
This was also because it had emerged, from sources, that there was enough power to be sold with only some particular meters unable to be topped up, a situation that led to customers thronging most ECG offices to vent their frustrations.
A graphiconline.com report further said that it had gathered from sources within ECG that the systems have been compromised by external sources who were controlling the source codes and refused to release them to the ECG.
This aside, it added that aside the immediate goal of the ECG working to restore the system, “ECG is currently undertaking a comprehensive audit of its system to establish what caused the technical failure that affected service to many of its prepaid customers around the country.”
The specific role of the two security outfits was to help get to the bottom of what happened to the system with the view to avert future recurrence.
ECG responds:
The ECG again responded to concerns raised by ECG, indicating that the challenges had to do with the date “functionality drifts” in those meters and that they had been identified and resolved.
“Some of the systems have been fixed but not all,” Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, General Manager in charge of external communications at ECG later said in a radio interview when the issue resurfaced.
While explaining further that the challenge had not affected all of its customers, he reassured the public that “We are working very hard to make sure that we get all the systems in place… but some of the systems were not able to respond. So, it is not all our customers that are experiencing this challenge.”
ECG extends working hours:
On Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2, 2022, the ECG extended its working hours at its district offices so as to attend to the growing numbers of its customers who were facing these challenges.
“The Electricity Company of Ghana once again wishes to assure our cherished customers that our team is working assiduously to rectify the anomaly and ensure a smooth service provision,” a statement said.
PURC works with ECG to resolve problems:
The Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC), which provides guidelines for rates to be charged for the provision of utility services, has assured customers that it is working closely with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to resolve utility service struggles.
While the ECG says it is resolving the challenge that has interrupted the purchase of electricity credit, the PURC, in a statement issued on Thursday, September 29, 2022, said that the commission has noticed the concerns raised regarding vending machines and promises to work with the ECG to find a quick resolution to the matter.
“The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission PURC) has noticed with concern, challenges experienced in vending, by consumers on ECash and PNS Metering Systems of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). The Commission is closely monitoring the situation and in full discussions with the service provider to address the issues,” the statement read.
Some customers still in darkness:
This said, there still remains quite a number of people
who have not been able to get their problems resolved. Some customers, despite ECG’s assurances still have issues buying power through the prepaid cards.
She said this in an address at the 2022 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference held in Bucharest, Romania, where she reiterated the country’s commitment to championing the digital agenda and leaving no one behind.
The minister also reaffirmed that the country is committed to the strategic direction set by the ITU to ensure universal connectivity that will propel realisation of the desired global digital transformation.
“Ghana is fully committed to the strategic direction set by the ITU to ensure the universal connectivity that will propel the needed global digital transformation. Closing the digital divide to facilitate equitable connectivity, which is vital to support the economic transformation of Ghana, is our primary objective. We are of the opinion that we can transform COVID-19 from a global crisis to an opportunity through digital technology,” she stated.
In line with this, she said, government is poised to implement the Digital Ghana Agenda in its quest to position the country as the African continent’s digital gateway.
The minister further indicated the country’s preparedness in terms of cybersecurity, and called for support in that sector to ensure a secure and resilient cyberspace for sustained digital transformation.
“Utilising ITU guidelines, Ghana is actively promoting cybersecurity not only for our benefit but for the sub-region as a whole. Ghana’s ranking on the 2021 ITU Global Cybersecurity Index improved to 86.69 percent from 32.6 percent in 2017. We seek partnerships and international cooperation to do even better for our entire sub-region,” she said.
She added that creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with its secretariat headquartered in the country is a pointer to the African continent-wide marketing strategy powered by digitalisation; and said the country is extending its digital infrastructure to its borders to enable seamless connection to neighbouring countries.
The minister also highlighted that initiatives have been employed to narrow the digital divide and empower citizens to embrace the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs).
“We are implementing a Rural Telephony project to connect over three million people. These previously unconnected people now have equal access to the innovations introduced by government in Ghana’s digital transformation journey,” she mentioned – also citing mobile money interoperability, digital skills development and focused interventions to reduce the gender digital divide and create opportunities for the youth through the ‘Girls in ICT’ programme, and nurturing new businesses at Digital Incubation Centres.
Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah has called on the European Union (EU) to work with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to prevent its proposed ethical and sustainable supply chain rules from becoming a burden for the local cocoa and coffee industry.
According to Nkrumah, though the new legislation is a way to drive better practices within the cocoa and coffee subsector, more importantly, the EU must work with ACP countries in achieving these sustainability standards else, it risk putting players within the value chain out of business.
He made the call when he chaired a two-day forum on the future of Ghanaian cocoa and coffee value chains in the face of this new EU legislation at the “Alliances in Ghana: Coffee and Chocolate at the table” in Brussels, Belgium organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Ghanaian Mission in Brussels last week.
“At a time where farmlands are coming under threats for competing and more rewarding economic activities, sustainability is a matter that requires some more attention. By no means however should sustainability be used as a pretext to limit market accessibility. Exchange of best practices and technical assistance is necessary so that we can have a win-win situation in all of this,” he said.
“Farmers deserve a recompense for their hard work and should not be left out in any business or policy negotiation. Their social reality and cultural context must be considered when designing legislation so they may meet their demands and not bear a disproportionate burden for complying with the regulation,” he said.
EU lawmakers have backed a proposal for a law that will ban the sale of agriculture products linked to the destruction of forests, and human rights violations. The bill was supported by 453 votes, to 57 with 123 abstentions.
The EU Parliament will now start negotiations on the final text with EU member states.
Once approved, the law would force companies and producers to give assurances that products are deforestation-free and meets EU’s sustainability standards.
Businesses will be forced to verify that agricultural goods sold in the EU have not been made on deforested or degraded land anywhere in the world.
He said Ghana must act quickly to ensure the two industries meet the interests of European markets else millions of households and the economy in general could be significantly affected by this proposed legislation.
According to the Member of Parliament for Bekwai, government’s job is to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive to employ the teeming youth of the country.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on GH Today on GHOne TV, Osei-Owusu described the expectation of the government creating jobs as archaic.
“Look at our constitution and our structure, the days that government took responsibility for providing jobs are long gone. Now, the government’s position is that I will provide the environment for you to create the jobs for yourselves so we should stop placing responsibility where it is not. A lot of the time we make people feel that it is government’s duty to do this, do that so people don’t do the things they can do for themselves.”
He added: “I’m leaving politics, I want to retire quietly and so I will now speak boldly about things that matter. If we are going to move forward, people must take responsibility for their lives.”
According to the ECG MD, customers will be able to purchase prepaid credits without challenges.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, October 3, 2022, Mr Mahama, also debunked claims that he was being sabotaged.
He said: “I don’t feel sabotaged. I don’t feel sabotaged at all.”
“I just feel we are working and there are challenges and in every working environment there are pushes and there are pools, and we just have to work hard to ensure that the right systems are put in place, so things move in the right direction,” he stated.
He added: “It is work that we are doing. So we plead with you to help us help you. We have challenges, but we believe by close of work today, most of the machines will be working well and everyone will be able to buy their power.”
While production of Season 6 of “The Crown” was briefly paused after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Season 5 is still on track to start November 9.
When the popular series returns to Netflix, Imelda Staunton will take over the role of the Queen from Olivia Colman who portrayed her in Seasons 3 and 4 of the royal drama.
Claire Foy portrayed Queen Elizabeth II the first two seasons of the show.
According to Netflix’s description, Season 5 centers around the Queen “approaching the 40th anniversary of her accession.”
“Setting off on Britannia for her annual tour of Scotland’s Western Isles, she reflects on a reign that has encompassed nine Prime Ministers, the advent of mass television and the twilight of the British Empire,” the description reads. “However, as a new decade enters its stride, the old certainties are no longer guaranteed.”
The collapse of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage is also a major storyline.
Dominic West plays Prince Charles, Elizabeth Debicki plays Princess Diana and Jonathan Pryce plays the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, in the upcoming season.
Significantly improving upon the 1994 film, “Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire” does more than just add the late author’s name to the title, ambitiously updating the story, introducing a racial component and serving up plenty of sex and gore. Desperate to replace “The Walking Dead,” AMC might have completed an improbable baton pass from zombies to another kind of undead.
Although the outlines mirror Rice’s gothic novel, the series manages to simultaneously expand upon them as if this were a sort-of sequel and reinvent certain aspects, all while upping the quota on sexuality and violence into tiers occupied by the edgiest premium-TV fare. In that sense, this seems to have been produced at least as much with AMC+ in mind as the linear network AMC.
Jacob Anderson (getting to say a lot more than he did as Grey Worm in “Game of Thrones,” and making the most of it) stars as Louis de Pointe du Lac, telling his story to a now-older journalist (Eric Bogosian) whose dismissive, sarcastic attitude seems to be flirting with fangs for the memories.
Meeting in a pandemic-ravaged future that brings additional resonance to the story, the red meat still exists in flashbacks to Louis’ past with Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid), the suave vampire who made him; and later Claudia (Bailey Bass), a slightly older (again) spin on the child vampire whose perpetual state of adolescence captures the tragedy of her arc in a slightly different manner.
Louis and Lestat hook up in New Orleans during the early 1900s, a time and place where such interactions are possible but the racism of the times is overtly expressed, and a constant component of the narrative.
Adapted by Rolin Jones (HBO’s reimagined “Perry Mason”) with early episodes directed by Alan Taylor (“The Sopranos”), there’s a palpable tension in Anderson and Reid’s performances, with the former managing to be wistful and scary in the future and confused, melancholy and occasionally exultant in the past. As constructed, there’s also the intriguing issue of what would prompt him to step out of the shadows to share his story.
The action, when it happens, is swift, bloody and brutal. Yet the series format affords this incarnation significant latitude as a character study, including the immortal loneliness that would prompt Lestat to create himself a companion, and Louis’ subsequent commitment to Claudia, with all the associated growing pains that go with it. The same goes for fleshing out supporting players, such as Louis’ mother (Rae Dawn Chong) and sister (Kalyne Coleman), as opposed to just trotting smaller roles out for the slaughter.
“Interview With the Vampire” will make its debut after the “The Walking Dead” starts its final season – in TV terms, an old-fashioned baton pass intended to secure extra sampling in launching this seven-episode opening arc.
Unlike its ageless characters, “Vampire” might not be suited for a particularly long run, although AMC has already announced a second season, a well-deserved vote of confidence based on its extremely promising start. That’s good news for both viewers and the network, for whom – on the verge of bidding farewell to its biggest hit – the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire” premieres October 2 at 10 p.m. ET on AMC and AMC+.
Netflix chose October 3, naturally, to drop more information about Lindsay Lohan’s upcoming Christmas movie.
That day has special significance given that it is “Mean Girls Day.”
In a now famous scene from that 2004 movie, the character Aaron Samuels (played byJonathan Bennett) asks Cady Heron (played by Lohan), “What day is it?” to which she responds “October 3.”
Her Netflix film,”Falling for Christmas,” has Lohan starring as hotel heiress Sierra, a woman “whose new engagement goes off the rails when she gets into a skiing accident that leaves her with total amnesia.”
“Luckily, Sierra finds herself in the care of a blue-collar widower (Chord Overstreet) and his precocious daughter (Olivia Perez) in the days leading up to Christmas,” according to the streaming giant,” according to press notes for the film.
It’s the first Netflix project for Lohan, and she describes her character as “Extravagant. Temperamental. Glamorous.”
“It’s such a refreshing, heartwarming romantic comedy and I miss doing those kinds of movies,” she said during an interview at the recent Tudum fan event.
“Falling for Christmas” debuts November 10 on Netflix.
Joel McHale sounds pretty grateful to the internet for helping a “Community” movie get made.
Speaking to “Entertainment Tonight,” the actor talked about the forthcoming film which had been the wish of so many viewers of the TV series who supported the hashtag for “six seasons and a movie” online.
“We’ve already shot it! We shot all three parts – it’s like The Hobbit,” McHale said jokingly. “Really, it is a dream come true.”
McHale played Jeff Winger on the critically acclaimed series that struggled with ratings.
It premiered on NBC in 2009, only to be canceled twice, ending in 2015 on Yahoo! Screen.
“We can’t believe a show that was canceled twice is now [getting a movie],” McHale said. “The ‘Six Seasons and a Movie’ hashtag actually freaking happened!”
The show centered around life at a community college and costarred Donald Glover, Chevy Chase, Allison Brie, Dani Pudi and Yvette Nicole Brown.
Katie Couric has shared an update on the treatment she is receiving following a breast cancer diagnosis over the summer.
The former “Today” host, who was diagnosed in June, underwent surgery in July and began radiation Sept. 7. She has completed 15 days of radiation, she said during an appearance on NBC on Monday.
“I’m feeling great. I’m just getting over a cold … but I’m feeling just fine. I finished radiation last week,” she said. “They said it made you tired, I was actually not too tired from it. I had a lumpectomy in July.”
She added, “I just feel super lucky that it was diagnosed when it was. That I went even though I was late, that I went when I did.”
Couric went for a breast exam in the summer and was told she needed a biopsy.
“I was like, ‘Uh-oh, what does that mean,’ and she said, ‘I think there’s something we really need to biopsy and I want to do it today.’ So I thought, ‘Oh, my God! You must be kidding me.’”
She was stunned by the news, she said.
“I found out the next day, she called me, I was pretty stunned. I think those words, ‘It’s cancerous or you have cancer’ do stop you in your tracks,” she said.
“But she told me it was treatable, we needed to have a plan. So I went from feeling shocked to not that shocked given my family’s history, to relieved because my exposure to cancer with Jay [her late husband] and Emily [her late sister] and my mother-in-law … they were all advanced and the prognosis was really tough, so I felt so grateful, honestly,” she said.
Couric lost her first husband, Jay Monahan, to colon cancer in 1998 when he was 42. She waited a few days to process her own diagnosis before telling her daughters Carrie and Ellie.
“I waited a few days so I could process it and really understand what we’re dealing with. And I FaceTimed each of them,” she said. “I was very reassuring, but I saw in their faces. It’s just hard to deliver that news no matter how you do it.”
The Upper West Regional Minister says the security agencies in the region are not leaving any stone unturned in their bid to arrest the perpetrators of suspected ritual murders in the Wa municipality.
Dr Hafiz Bin Salih said they are closing in on the prime suspects, adding that they will soon be arrested and made to face justice.
Speaking at the 45th-anniversary launch of the T.I. Ahmadiyya Muslim Basic School in Wa over the weekend, Dr Bin Salih stated that all necessary actions would be taken to bring the culprits to book.
Currently, 18 suspects have been arrested.
“In spite of the recent happenings in the Municipality [and] the unfortunate situation that occurred, the security agencies are on top of the issues. Believe me, sooner than later we would catch the perpetrators of this act.
“We are picking feed… once we are satisfied with what we have gathered, the needed action shall be taken,” he stressed.
The Upper West Region has recorded numerous cases of violence, robbery and mob action, among others.
This worrying trend has raised concerns among many residents and non-residents alike.
Following these circumstances, the Regional Security Council announced new strategies and measures to help deal with the situation.
It said the number of murder cases and the disappearance of people have put it on high alert to engage stakeholders over how to end it as soon as possible.
“While investigations on these worrying incidents are ongoing, the Upper West Regional Security Council has authorised increased cooperation and collaboration among the intelligence agencies and seeks to deepen engagement with inhabitants within the municipality in line with contemporary security practices.
“Hence, we are calling on all people to be more observant and vigilant and to draw the attention of the police, other security agencies and local community leaders immediate they observe anything out of the ordinary,” the statement signed by the Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Salih, directed.
Disincentive for investors
A security analyst, Adib Saani, has warned that the recent insecurity situation in the Upper West region of Ghana could be a disincentive for investors who may be interested in investing in the region.
The expert has, therefore, cautioned government to take immediate measures to ensure that there is lasting peace, security and stability in the Upper West Region.
He noted that major players in the mining industry, in particular, who have already invested heavily in the region, as well as those who may be planning to invest in the region, may be discouraged if the situation persists.
“Government intervention is much required now to resolve this issue,” he said.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that the John Mahama-led administration completed 46 E-Block projects.
This is in contrast to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) claim that the Mahama administration only completed 29.
According to the NDC, the Education Ministry’s handing-over note states it clearly.
“The handing-over notes of the former Minister of Education under the NDC/Mahama government, the venerable Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang bears out this fact.”
The main opposition party in the country added that all these projects were properly furnished.
The party insists that all these facilities were inspected by the President, the Chiefs, community leaders and the media during the commissioning.
“Interestingly, the first Minister of Education of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, Mathew Opoku Prempeh is on public record to have said in 2017 that the NDC/Mahama government completed 46 Community Day Senior High Schools. This was widely reported by the media. The internet never forgets.”
“Post-facto this public admission by their own Minister of Education, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government in a futile effort to distort the superior record of the NDC/Mahama government deceptively reclassified some completed E-Block projects as uncompleted, thereby reducing the total number to 29.
This so-called reclassification was largely done on the contrived and flimsy grounds that some of the 46 completed E-blocks had no furniture even though the physical structures had been fully completed.”
The party attached a list of Community Day Senior High Schools that were completed and/or commissioned by former President John Mahama before exiting the office.
Find the list below
1. Seventh Day CDSHS- Abease, Pru West
2. Dermaa CDSHS- Dermaa, Tano South
3. Lambusie CDSH- Lambussie District
4. Nchumuru CDSHS- Krachi
Nchumuru
5. Maame Krobo CDSHS- Kwahu, Afram Plains South
6. Kwabenya CDSHS- Ga East
7. Atta Mills CDSHS- Ekumfi Otuam
8. Nkwanta CDSHS- Nkwanta
9. Nyanoakwaboah CDSHS- Upper West Akyim, Adeiso
10. Adobewora CDSHS- Atwima Mponua
11. Adugyama CDSHS- Ahafo-Ano South
12. Bamiankor CDSHS- Bamiankor, Nzema East District
The Tamale North MP has asked the Lands Minister to deal with his party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman.
Alhassan Suhuyini said Samuel Abu Jinapor must not be selective in dealing with persons involved in the canker.
As a result, he wants the Damongo MP to apply the laws of the land fully.
“Deal with Wontumi, his companies and others; that’s how your flowery political rhetoric will reflect indeed.
The MP also asked Mr Jinapor to adequately resource the Minerals Commission to help deal with the canker.
“Adequately resource and restructure the Minerals Commission, the Inspectorate Division especially, to professionally recruit and train guards in every mining District, like the Forestry Commission’s Forestry Guards,” he added in a Facebook post on Monday, October 3.
Meanwhile, Mr Wontumi has denied reports he is involved in illegal mining.
He insisted that his company, Akonta Mining Limited, has all the required documentation.
Speaking on Wontumi TV on Monday, October 3, Chairman Wontumi said he is ready to make the document available.
“I am appealing to them to use the law. They should do their investigations, and we should let the law work.”
“I have a large scale company which Akonta mining is under… All the required documents I have, I will make all available[sic],” he added.
The Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has assured that the Ministry is working to address the shortage of passports.
This is in line with Joy News reports that there has been a shortage of passports across the country.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Monday, the Foreign Affiars Minister noted that “by the middle of this month – October, in about a week or so we should have enough to clear the backlog.”
According to her, by the end of October 2022, there would be more passport booklets in stock “to take us beyond the end of the year into the next quarter.”
She added that the Ministry “continue to seek the welfare of applicants to ensure that they get a good service.”
Madam Botchwey insisted the issue over the shortage is related to the process involved in acquiring the booklet.
“From what we have experienced today in interacting with the applicants … the issue is the collection of the booklet.
“Some go back many months and I wanted to see this for myself and I have seen it and we will make sure that as soon as the booklet comes, we will work day and night to print all the backlog, clear the backlog so that those who want to travel can do so,” she said.
She, however, called on applicants with emergency cases to make it known to officials in charge. This she said is because provisions have been made for such purposes.
“We have some booklet there but it is not enough to cover the full backlog that we have which is why we are not rushing that we put out weekly of a certain number until God willing around the 13th when we receive enough,” she noted.
James and Chloe Lusted have entered the Guinness Book of Records once as the couple with the greatest height difference (different sexes).
On June 2, 2021, they broke the record for the greatest height difference of a married couple and have since kept the record unbeatable till date.
The couple got married in 2016 and have somewhat proved to the world that love has no bounds, with nearly a height difference of 3ft between them.
Chloe, who stands at 166.1 cm (5ft 5.4 in), is 2ft 1.6 taller than her husband, James, who stands at 109.3 cm (3ft 7 in).
However, James has Diastrophic Dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder that affects bones and cartilage development.
Per reports, he initially doubted that he would ever get married due to his condition.
“Being 3 ft 7 is tricky sometimes. But I can do everything you can do, just in a different way,” Chloe’s husband, James said after maintaining the record with his wife.
“James and Chloe Lusted have been married since 2016. They are based in the UK and come from the same hometown. Together they feature in the new Guinness World Records 2023 edition, and on 2 June 2021, they broke the record for the greatest height differential of a married couple (different sexes/taller woman) With James standing at 109.3 cm (3ft 7 in) and his wife Chloe being 166.1 cm (5ft 5.4 in), the couple has 56.8cm – almost 2 ft (1ft, 10 in) – between them. Being 3 ft 7 is tricky sometimes. But I can do everything you can do, just in a different way. #GWR2023.” Guinness Book of Records shared on their Facebook page.
James works as an actor and TV presenter, and Chloe works as a teacher.
The couple, who have been married for a period of five years, have a 3-year-old daughter named Olivia.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) says 95% of its customers can now access its prepaid vending services nationwide.
According to the power distributor, the challenges with its prepaid system have been largely resolved nationwide, and, therefore, customers can refill their empty swipe cards.
Addressing the press on Monday morning, the General Manager for External Communications, Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, said he is hopeful that the prepaid services will be fully operational by the close of business on Monday.
“We do know exactly what the challenge is and clearly we’ve solved the problem. We can clearly say that over 95% of our customers are back on so we are still working on the challenges that we have, and as soon as we’re done by close of day, everybody will be able to vend”, he assured.
The comments by the ECG spokesperson follow a prolonged blackout in some parts of the country due to the inability of consumers to access the company’s prepaid vending services.
This led to a series of lamentations on social media by affected citizens who bemoaned the situation.
Regions such as the Greater Accra Region, Volta Region and the Ashanti Region were all severely affected, with locals complaining bitterly about the development.
In the wake of the crisis, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George Nartey alleged that the disruptions in power supply were a deliberate scheme to sabotage the current leadership of the ECG and also cover up some rots at the company.
According to the NDC lawmaker, the challenge, which had left many prepaid consumers in the dark for days was carried out by some “criminal” personnel in the institution.
In a post on Facebook on Saturday, Sam George wrote “my information points to a group that has been siphoning over GH200 million, you read that right. Every month! Yes.”
“What we are witnessing is an internal power play to cripple the new MD who has dared to open an investigation into these matters”, he added.
But reacting to these concerns at Monday morning’s presser, Mr Ayiku Ayiku said he cannot confirm or dismiss the allegations of Sam George since he has no information in that regard.
He further added that he cannot substantiate the allegation about the hacking of the ECG’s systems, stressing that, the issue was not sabotaging, but rather a regular disruption.
“The challenge was ICT related. The challenge was technology related but we have the requisite people working for us. The requisite consultants are in place”, he said.
Mr Ayiku, therefore, thanked the staff of the ECG for working around the clock to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, Sam George has taken down his Facebook post about the alleged cyber attack on the systems of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
According to him, he deleted the post out of respect for the ongoing audit and maintenance work the ECG is doing to resolve the challenges customers have been facing in buying prepaid credits.
Mr George added that he did not intend to compromise the remedial steps ECG was taking to resolve the situation.
“I have taken down my ECG post out of respect for the work I have just been informed is being done on the matter. I do not intend in any way to compromise the remedial steps underway”, he wrote on Sunday.
The African Union Commission and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have called on governments, multilateral organisations, philanthropies, the private sector, and civil society organizations to support the full implementation of Africa’s New Public Health Order to drive global health security.
The request for support was made at a series of events leading up to the 77th United Nations General Assembly.
The New Public Health Order for Africa is a roadmap to sustainable health outcomes and health security. It is defined by five pillars:
Strong African Public Health Institutions that represent African priorities in global health governance and that drive progress on key health indicators;
Expanded Manufacturing of Vaccines, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics to democratize access to life-saving medicines and equipment;
Investment in Public Health Workforce and Leadership Programs to ensure Africa has the workforce it needs to address health threats;
Increased Domestic Investment in Health, including the domestic mobilization of financial resources, human capital, technical resources, and networks; and
Respectful, Action-Oriented Partnerships to advance vaccine manufacturing, health workforce development, and strong public health institutions.
Call to strengthen African Public Health Institutions
African leaders called for support to strengthen Africa’s public health institutions, including the Africa CDC which led the coordination of Africa’s pandemic response, helping to significantly reduce loss of life during COVID-19.
“To achieve [its public health goals], the African Union Assembly in February 2022 granted Africa CDC autonomy to be able to fulfil its mandate, supporting member states to achieve health sovereignty,” said African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki. “But Africa CDC alone cannot meet this challenge,” he added.
“If you don’t have strong public health institutions before an emergency when the emergency comes it doesn’t matter how many resources you have. You’ll still struggle,” said Dr Ahmed Ouma, Acting Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Call to support vaccine manufacturing in Africa
Leaders also called upon all vaccine-purchasing mechanisms, such as the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI), to purchase at least 30 per cent of their vaccines from manufacturers in Africa.
While Africa currently produces one per cent of its routinely used vaccines, it has set a bold target of meeting up to 60 per cent of its vaccine demand through regional manufacturing by 2040.
By making explicit commitments to offtake vaccines from Africa, vaccine-purchasing mechanisms can stimulate private sector investment in vaccine manufacturing.
Call to support health workforce development
Health workforce development was another prominent focus. According to the WHO, Africa currently has a ratio of 1.55 health workers (physicians, nurses, and midwives) per 1,000 people.
This is below the WHO threshold density of 4.45 health workers per 1,000 people needed to deliver essential health services and achieve universal health coverage.
“Health workers are a crucial pillar in a well-functioning health system. Yet, they have been historically deprioritized in discussions about improving health systems,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa in a statement read on his behalf by South Africa Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla.
“It is good economics to invest in the health workforce as the return is measurable and dependable,” he added.
Leaders urged greater investment in health workforce development, and specifically called for stronger support of Community Health Worker programs in Africa.
“Experience shows that professional community health workers who are properly paid, trained, equipped, and supervised are best prepared to provide essential health services in their communities,” said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
She also highlighted that most community health workers in Africa are women who perform exceptional work but are unpaid for their efforts. “It is time to correct this injustice,” she urged.
Respectful, Action-oriented Partnerships
To advance progress towards stronger public health institutions, a robust workforce, and medical manufacturing in Africa, the Africa CDC and African Union Commission need partners. Leaders emphasised that the nature of these partnerships is important and called for partnerships oriented around principles of mutuality and respect, that recognize African knowledge and expertise and deliver contextually-relevant support and programs.
Partners of the African Union Commission and Africa CDC underscored that delivering a New Public Health Order for Africa is key to strengthening the global health infrastructure and ensuring better global preparedness to effectively respond to infectious disease outbreaks in the future.
“Achieving this future will take partnership, and not just any partnership but partnership that’s rooted in respect – and that means starting by listening, understanding, and then responding to real needs and top priorities,” said Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, which last year partnered with the Africa CDC to launch the $1.5 billion Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative.
The Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative has purchased vaccines for over 65 million people in Africa and is enabling the vaccination of millions more.
The initiative is also designed to drive health workforce development and strengthen the Africa CDC to ensure long-term health security.
Undoubtedly one of Ghana’s popular entertainment shows, ‘Hammer Time’ has been acknowledged by the 3G Hall of Fame Awards in the United States of America.
The show which airs on Kumasi-based Pure FM every Friday with a YouTube extension under the channel name ‘Hammer Time’ has over the period interviewed various Showbiz personalities in the country and beyond with over 10 years of experience in the Creative Arts Industry.
Notable figures like Sarkodie, Samini, Nana Acheampong, Oheneba Kissi, Kwaw Kesse, A.B Crentsil (late), Nana Amapdu (late), Rex Omar, Zapp Mallet, King Ayisoba, Charles Amoah, Nigeria’s Victor AD, Jamaica’s Culture and a host of many others have all had their turns on the show with playback of their interviews available on the ‘Hammer Time’ YouTube channel.
The host of the ‘Hammer Time’ entertainment program, Hammer Nti was last weekend adjudged the ‘Male Showbiz Personality of the Year’ at the 3G Hall of Fame awards held at the Replib Banquet Hall, Bronx-New York.
He was awarded alongside Ghanaian Creative Arts personalities like Akumaa Mama Zimbi, Buk Bak, Tic, Slim Buster, Nana Quame, and many others.
Pressure group, OccupyGhana has asked President Akufo-Addo to immediately declare a state of emergency in all mining areas in the country.
To them, this will help the President and his government streamline mining activities in the country.
In a press release issued on Monday, it urged President Akufo-Addo to seek advice from the Council of State before publishing a Gazette on same.
“We, therefore, request that you take immediate steps towards declaring a state of emergency in every mining area in Ghana.
The release from OccupyGhana
“In accordance with article 31(1) of the Constitution, these steps would be, first, seeking and obtaining the advice of the Council of State and, second, publishing a Proclamation of the declaration in the Gazette,” the group urged.
Meanwhile, it has also asked Parliament to be recalled from its vacation for it to pass the state of emergency.
“Thereafter we expect Parliament to be recalled from its vacation, for the government to place before it the facts and circumstances leading to the declaration of the state of emergency under article 31(2).
“Considering the gravity of the situation, we fully expect Parliament to agree with the government and provide that the state of emergency should remain for such period as Parliament may determine so that the government can get a grasp of the situation,” the release added.
This call has been supported by the Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil.
According to him, this is the best solution to the matter now.
The Managing Director of Electricity Company Ghana (ECG) has rejected allegations of sabotage over the recent power purchase difficulties faced by the citizenry.
Samuel Dubik Mahama said the challenges with the institution are just like all others.
Speaking at a presser on Monday, Mr Mahama said ECG will put the necessary systems required to make their operations better.
“I don’t feel sabotaged. I don’t feel sabotaged at all. I just feel we are working and there are challenges and in every working environment there are pushes and there are pools, and we just have to work hard to ensure that the right systems are put in place, so things move in the right direction,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mahama also assured Ghanaians the challenges will be resolved by the close of the day.
“It is work that we are doing. So we plead with you to help us help you. We have challenges, but we believe by close of work today, most of the machines will be working well and everyone will be able to buy their power,” he added.
Some ECG prepaid consumers were left in the dark after a technical challenge affected the purchase of credits for their meters.
Customers in Volta Region, Takoradi, Tema, Cape Coast, Kasoa, Winneba, Swedru, Koforidua, Nkawkaw and Tafo were affected.
On October 1, ECG said they had fixed the vending challenges.
In a press release, the power distribution company noted that consumers who were having challenges buying credits can now do so at the ending points.
“The Electricity Company of Ghana wishes to inform all stakeholders, especially our cherished customers on our prepayment metering system that the issue with the 3rd Party Vending Points has been resolved,” part of the statement read.
“Customers can now purchase electricity credits from their nearest vending points, and all ECG District offices, including tomorrow Sunday, 2nd October 2022, from 9.00 am – 4.00 pm,” ECG added.
However, some consumers are still reporting challenges with the system.
The Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Samuel Dubik Mahama is uncertain whether the company’s prepaid vending system was hacked or not.
At a press brief, he noted that he could neither deny nor confirm that the company’s prepaid vending system was hacked.
He said the inability of some customers to load credit onto prepaid meters last week was an IT related challenge that was being resolved.
Addressing a press conference today, he said the challenges would be fully resolved by the close of the day.
“Yes we do know exactly what the problem is and clearly we’ve solved the problem. We can clearly say that over 95 percent of our customers are back. So we are still working on the challenges that we have and by close of day, we will solve it”, the MD said in response to a question on what exactly the problem was.
Asked if it was a hack that caused the challenges, the ECG MD said, “to be very honest, I cannot confirm or deny. All I can is that it is left with the necessary investigations for us to do the right thing and to make sure that the right things are established, for the good people of Ghana.”
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has introduced some five key digital appliances in its operations to ensure a regulated framework for an enhanced and a more effective supervision of drivers and vehicles.
They comprise the vehicle windscreen glasses tint meter, handbrake tester, hand-held tablet computer, tyre tread depth gauge and tyre air presser gauge.
Obuasi station is the first to take delivery of the hand-held tools, while all 32 district offices across the country are to receive the kits for effective operations.
The DVLA says the appliances will help detect approved tinted windscreens, test the brake efficiency of a vehicle, and get instant access to a driver’s particulars upon keying in their registration and certificate of competence numbers to establish the authenticity or otherwise.
In the past, most driver offenders were let off the hook because the authority lacked these standard gadgets to strengthen their checks on the road.
The Compliance and Enforcement Manager of DVLA, Richard Kwasi Eyiah, explained that “after all checks are carried out on a vehicle, an automated gadget instantly issues out a receipt to the driver to know the status of the car as to whether it passed the test or not”.
Field demonstration
The Appliance and Enforcement Unit of the DVLA, last Thursday (September 29), organised a brief demonstration of the tools to the media in Kumasi and later moved on to the streets to test their innovative kits on drivers and vehicles.
During the field demonstration, it was detected that some vehicles had issues, but no arrests were made.
However, the DVLA field officers urged the drivers to update their papers, as well as put their vehicles in shape in order not to fall foul of the law.
Enforcement
Mr Eyiah in a post-test run interview said the tools would be used effectively to ensure compliance on the roads to ensure maximum safety on the roads with only roadworthy vehicles.
“Road rules will only be obeyed if drivers are made aware that not obeying them would result in detection and unwanted outcomes such as fines or licence suspension or cancellation.
“With these gadgets, there will be no hiding place for recalcitrant drivers,” he emphasised.
Mr Eyiah used the opportunity to commend the government for resourcing the authority which had enabled it to play its role more efficiently.
The Chief Executive Officer of Engineers & Planners Ghana Limited, Ibrahim Mahama has been conferred EMY AFRICA, MAN OF THE YEAR at this year’s Exclusive Men Of the Year awards held on Saturday, October 1, 2022.
The award was powered by Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.
The special ceremony took place at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Mr. Ibrahim Mahama was awarded and specially recognised for his contribution to the growth and development of private sector businesses in Ghana and Africa.
The EMY Africa awards, celebrate Leaders, Young Achievers, Community Builders to Captains of Industries across the continent.
The Awards ceremony has become established as one of the biggest gatherings of influential and business leaders.
Presenting the award to Mr. Mahama, the Board Chairman of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, Dr Felix E. Addo, acknowledged the immense contribution Mr. Mahama has made and continues to make to the economic development of Ghana.
The award was also in recognition of his philanthropic activities.
Dr. Addo said Mr. Ibrahim Mahama’s companies are economic powerhouses in Ghana and beyond.
Speaking through the Technical Director of E&P, Mr. Majeed Abudu, Mr. Mahama said it is fulfilling when contribution to the development of the country is recognised.
He said, more is being done to empower the teeming youth through job creation and mentorship.
He thanked Ghanaians for accepting Dzata Cement since the company started operations last year.
Mr. Mahama is the founder of Engineers and Planners an indigenous, A-Class mining and construction company with an enviable record of working for multi-national companies both in Ghana and outside the shores of Ghana.
He is also the owner of Asutsuare Poultry farm, one of the largest poultry establishments in Ghana.
His latest venture is in the production of Portland cement, with the establishment of Ghana’s first wholly owned cement producing company Dzata Cement.
The plant has a capacity to produce 2.6 million tonnes of Portland cement in year.
The Ghana Bar Association has expressed worry over reported incidents of attacks on journalists in the course of discharging their duties, and said harsher sentences may be required to stem the tide.
The GBA noted that reported incidents of violence, thuggery and threats that have been visited on some media personnel in the discharge of their all-important work were a threat to the welfare of journalists and press freedom in the country.
According to Mr Boafo, there were known and reported cases in which mostly persons belonging to the two dominant political parties in this country and in some cases some security personnel have attacked, harmed, assaulted and threatened journalists in the line of their work.
“This unfortunate tendency has not been helped by the seeming lethargy or failure by the state and its relevant agencies such as the Ghana Police Service and the Office of the Attorney-General to swiftly arrest, investigate and prosecute such offenders,” he noted.
Delays
The GBA also expressed worry that even for cases that were prosecuted, there were usually delays and for those that resulted in conviction, offenders were usually given what could be described as ‘lenient or slap-on-the-wrist’ sentences which did not deter others from committing such acts.
The GBA also advised media organisations to exercise greater and more effective control over political programmes to help check the threat of incendiary language on the airwaves
“By way of suggestion, management of media houses and hosts of political programmes may consider reviewing the kind of persons or panellists they invite to their shows,” the GBA president, Yaw Acheampong Boafo, stated in an address at the 2022 Bar Conference held at Ho last week.
The GBA president said it was important for hosts of shows to be alert and proactive to herd panellists and take charge of the discussions to prevent utterances that could unfairly denigrate the reputation of others and even breach the peace and security of this country.
Mr Boafo advised media houses to resist the urge to hide behind dishonest click baits to tarnish the reputation of others who held positions or views they disagreed with.
The GBA president urged Ghanaiansand the media to be circumspect in their utterances and publications in order to help protect the country’s fledgling democracy.
He noted that unbridled utterances and the use of intemperate language across the various media outlets, especially by political activists, was an existential threat to the country’s democracy, adding that “the level of vitriol on comment threads on social media at times with tribal undertones is quite alarming”.
“Much as freedom of expression and pluralistic media is guaranteed and protected under the 1992 Constitution, it should not be lost on all of us that attached to such a right carries a corresponding and even a greater deal of responsibility and circumspection,” Mr Boafo cautioned.
He explained that there was general acceptance that freedom of speech was not absolute, and that protection of free speech did not extend to instances in which one’s speech violated the legal interests and rights of other citizens and of society or the national interest or public order.
He noted that although the 1992 Constitution had dedicated the whole of Chapter Five to guarantee and protect the fundamental human rights of Ghanaians, including freedom of expression, there was a caveat or condition, thereby revealing that rights were bereft of absoluteness.
Even the most stable marriages hit an iceberg every now and then. If you are here looking for why wives are unhappy in marriages, chances are you are a husband wanting to know about wives’ top complaints against husbands, or you’re a wife comforting yourself by reading this, thinking you are not alone.
Whatever the cause of your unhappiness is, there’s a possibility it can be fixed. This piece doesn’t condone abuse of any kind, though. Then why are wives so unhappy in marriages that are not abusive? To find out the answer, we reached out to a standardized clinical psychologist Devaleena Ghosh (M.Res, Manchester University), founder of Kornash: The Lifestyle Management School, who specializes in couples counseling and family therapy.
She says, “Firstly, I want to bust a myth. A lot of young girls believe that marriage would solve all their problems. There. That’s a major factor in why wives are unhappy in marriages. This is a self-created illusion that results in unrealistic expectations.”
What Are The Signs Of An Unhappy Wife?
When either of the spouses is unhappy, it creates an environment where there is resentment, hostility, and indifference. Negativity surrounds the marriage. When asked on Reddit why many people are unhappy in their marriages, a user replied, “I’m not unhappy, but I think I know why some people might be. It takes WORK to keep a long-term marriage joyful. It doesn’t just happen by itself.
“It takes recognizing that the world does not revolve around you. Sometimes it takes sacrifice and sometimes compromises. And it takes TWO people doing this at the same time. Some people aren’t willing to put in the work.” If you want to know what can cause women to be unhappy in marriages, below are some reasons.
1. She has become too critical
If your wife is constantly criticizing every little aspect of you, then it’s one of the signs your wife is unhappy. The criticism could be related to anything. It could be your physical looks or your personality or your work. The reason she is so critical about everything is that love and understanding in the marriage have been slowly replaced by judgment and antagonism. This is also one oof the signs you have a narcissistic wife.
2. She neglects herself
Devaleena says, “One of the visible signs of an unhappy wife is her appearance. When they feel neglected and unloved, they have little to no concern about their appearance. They often start neglecting themselves when their partner is being neglectful.”
For a marriage to work harmoniously, both the partners should feel appreciated for their looks, because who doesn’t like compliments? Everyone does. One of the wives’ top complaints against husbands is that they don’t compliment them anymore or they have stopped finding them attractive.
3. She fights over silly things
Justin, an investment banker in his 40s, says, “I feel like my wife is unhappy with her life. She criticizes everything I do. There hasn’t been a day where we haven’t had a fight. No matter how big or small the problem is. I really don’t know what to do.” Fighting in a marriage is common. The problem here is communication issues. Communication is effective only when partners encourage each other to express their thoughts and feelings instead of getting defensive.
4. Her body language says it all
Body language is a dead giveaway for a lot of things. Unhappiness is one of them. Some of the body language signs of an unhappy married woman are:
She sighs all the time
She avoids eye contact or rolls her eyes at everything her husband says or does
She doesn’t embrace him like she used to
She often leans away from him
5. She cracks too many jokes about her marital life
Does your wife crack a lot of jokes at the expense of your marital life? If yes, then that’s one of the signs of an unhappy wife. Not just the marriage, but an unhappy wife might also crack jokes at her husband. It’s a subtle indication that she’s bored or dissatisfied with the marriage. During such times, marriage counseling is the only choice you are left with.
Devaleena says, “Before we get into the reasons for a woman being unhappy in a marriage, it’s worth assessing if the unhappiness is created by her own mind – because of unrealistic expectations. The only thing a woman can do in that situation eases out those expectations. Let loose and understand that it’s your problem and not your husband’s.”
If unrealistic expectations are not the case, though, then why stay in a marriage if you are unhappy? Men and women look at marriage differently. For most women, it’s difficult to leave a marriage because of many reasons including societal stigma, kids, and financial dependency. That’s why many choose to stay in a marriage when they are not happy. Below are some things that can make women unhappy in marriages.
1. Sexual incompatibility
Devaleena shares, “Of all the couples I have seen in therapy, sexual incompatibility is predominantly why wives are unhappy in marriage. This goes either way. Marriage and sexual compatibility go hand in hand. They are not happy because their husbands aren’t able to satisfy them or all that husbands want from their wives is sex.”
When a married woman complains about her husband, it’s usually because there is something lacking in their sex life. Maybe the husband is selfish in bed or isn’t willing to try new things. Something is amiss in their physical intimacy.
2. Lack of communication
Lack of communication is a big issue in many relationships. Communication is important to explain to the other person how you feel, what you want, and what’s wrong. When there are no proper means of conversing, either of the partners can feel they are unheard and unseen.
Devaleena says, “Why are wives so unhappy? Because their husbands are not able to communicate with them. Communication is the heart of the relationship. Find out why your partner is finding it difficult to communicate. Is the communication problem with you or him? Are you not able to comprehend what he is saying or is he not articulating it in a better way?”
3. When their opinions aren’t heard
Not valuing your partner’s opinions is a sign of disrespect. In a marriage, there could be contradictory thoughts about how to raise children, how to handle expenses and the basics of how to run a family. You both can be right and wrong at the same time. You have to meet each other halfway if you want to have a healthy marriage. This is why wives are unhappy in marriages. Because their opinions aren’t heard, respected, or valued.
4. Financial worries can make wives unhappy
Here’s what our expert says can cause friction between a husband and wife:
Husband is not being a responsible spender
He is not earning enough
He is a stingy spender
He controls his wife’s finances
He micromanages her budget and expenditure
Marriage and money problems are another common issue every married couple goes through. As a newly married woman, I can say that conversations about finances happen almost every day. How to spend, how much to spend, and what to spend on – these become daily concerns.
5. Husbands who do not do their share of household chores
Devaleena shares, “When husbands complain to me in therapy and say, “I don’t know why my wife is unhappy with her life and with our marriage”, my response is always the same. I check if they do their part around the house. If both the partners are working, do the husbands equally contribute toward cooking and cleaning? Do they take the garbage out?”
Recent statistics show unequal involvement in household chores by men, where women spend 20 hours a week on household chores and men spend 11 even when the women are working. Conflict is natural due to this gender inequality at home.
6. When women have to raise kids on their own
This is another stereotype women have to face and this is also why wives are unhappy in marriage. Raising children is no easy feat. A father’s participation and involvement are as important as a mother’s. Husbands are usually missing in action when it comes to co-parenting.
A report by McKinsey Global Institute found that 75% of unpaid care work which includes cooking, cleaning, washing, and caring for children and the elderly is all done by women. It’s baffling how men are praised when they look after their children, whereas women are just expected to do so. These are double standards.
7. Husbands who are always on the phone/always playing video games
Devaleena says, “In the last 10-15 years, this is a repeated contributor to why wives are unhappy in marriages. Many wives complain that their husbands are always on the phone even when they are not working. It’s one of the warning signs your partner is losing interest in the relationship. They stare at their mobile screen when the wife is trying to have a conversation.”
Always playing video games is also one of the wives’ top complaints against husbands. If the men gave at least half the time they spend playing video games to their wives, the women wouldn’t be so unhappy in the first place.
8. Husband’s drinking problems
A married woman complains about her husband in her email to us. Wendy, a 35-year-old homemaker, shares, “My husband excessively drinks and smokes. He comes home drunk almost every day. I don’t know what to do anymore. I tried asking him to go to therapy because I know he is on the verge of becoming an alcoholic. He just doesn’t see his drinking as a problem.”
According to research done at the University of Buffalo, it was found that heavy drinking, alcohol problems, and alcohol use disorders are all associated with lower marital satisfaction. In fact, alcohol and substance abuse are among the most common reasons given for a divorce.
9. When he is a mama’s boy
Devaleena says, “A man being over-affectionate toward his mother is another complaint from wives. Women feel like they are being pitted against their husband’s mothers. Men need to understand that they already have a mother. What they need is a life partner who can’t be expected to treat them like their mother does.” Mother syndrome in a marriage is not unusual. If you’ve been looking for a caretaker in your partner, then it’s high time you rectify your mistakes.
10. Why are wives unhappy in a marriage? No appreciation from husbands
Why are wives unhappy in a marriage? Because they aren’t appreciated. When your wife puts on makeup, gets her hair done, and wears that dress you like so much, all they are expecting in return is one compliment. When they fail to acknowledge and appreciate the things wives do for their husbands, it’s one of the signs husband is taking wife for granted.
When women cook something, they expect their husbands to say a few nice things about the dish. When they multitask and take care of the entire house, the men in their lives better take note and not take these efforts for granted. Little things like these help a lot in keeping the marriage alive. But don’t just hide behind the appreciation, do your part in keeping the marriage afloat.
11. Husbands who do not know basic life skills
Women are called dependents when it’s men who don’t know basic life skills. How ironic! Even when women earn their own money, they are still expected to take complete care of the house because many men don’t know basic life skills. Devaleena shares, “One of the reasons your wife is unhappy is because you don’t know basic survival skills like cooking, doing laundry, or keeping the house clean.”
12. Husbands who are secretly friends with exes
Many women complain that their husbands are still in touch with their exes. It could be one of the signs he is not over his ex or he is just reconnecting to see if they are doing well. Whatever the reason is, this can cause jealousy and lead to unhappiness in the marriage.
If you are really in touch with your ex, then you need to assure your wife that there’s nothing going on beyond a casual friendship. If you don’t tell her and she finds out from somewhere else, you could be at the receiving end of her justified suspicion.
13. Husbands who do not support their partners’ ambition
Here’s why wives are unhappy in marriages. Because their husbands don’t support them, be it emotional or professional support. When women feel like their careers and goals aren’t supported, they feel trapped and miserable. It’s one of the signs of a selfish husband when all they care about is their dreams and ambitions.
Tania, an entrepreneur from Los Angeles, says, “I wanted to start my own hair care business but my ex-husband wasn’t supportive. If you can’t find a man who supports your dreams and career, it’s better to be single rather than be with a man who doubts your potential, talent, and abilities. Why stay in a marriage if you are unhappy?”
14. Husbands who are not loyal
Devaleena shares another common factor in why wives are unhappy in marriages. She says, “Extramarital affairs have severely damaging effects on the wife. They don’t know how to deal with a cheating husband and this severely impacts their overall well-being. But they can’t divorce their husbands because they either have kids or due to other practical issues. Leaving a marriage is not so simple.”
If you are a man looking for ways to get his wife’s trust back, here they are:
Take responsibility for your actions
Don’t just be sorry in words but also in your actions
Don’t force them to trust you
Don’t keep any secrets
Be consistent in earning their trust
Once you’ve earned their trust, don’t make the same mistakes
15. Love languages have vanished
When there is no love language alive between a couple, then it becomes obvious why wives are unhappy in marriages. When was the last time you took your wife out on a date? When was the last time you spent quality time together? You need to indulge in love languages almost every day to keep a relationship running smoothly. Touch each other. Hold each other’s hands. Praise each other. Do little things for each other.
16. Why are wives unhappy in a marriage? They don’t feel heard
Devaleena shares, “When husbands don’t listen to their wives, it can lead to feeling neglected in a relationship. You need to listen to what your wife is saying. Doesn’t matter how silly or big the topic is. Let them borrow your attention for a while. Women do the same for their husbands too, after all.”
You can get your husband to listen to you by using these steps:
Choose an appropriate time and place to have a conversation
Express your desires
Be mindful of your body language and tone
Don’t make the conversation one-sided
Listen to his side of the story as well
17. There’s no mutual effort to bridge the gap
When there is a rift between a husband and wife, it requires both their efforts to solve the problems. If one person is putting in all the effort, whereas the other person is not bothered about mending the gap, it is insensitivity and indifference at their peak. Devaleena says, “You can’t save a marriage when one of you has no plans of working toward fixing the problem.”
18. Not being their husbands’ top priority could cause unhappiness
Here’s why wives are unhappy in marriages: their husbands don’t make them a priority. This makes them feel lonely. It’s not about putting their wives over everyone else. It’s about how they manage their time. A husband can’t come home from a hectic day at work and start playing video games to “cool off” every single day while his wife is taking care of the dinner or waiting for him to talk to her. Or they can’t go straight to bed after work every day. This is one of the problems every couple faces.
Such behavior will definitely end up disappointing their spouse. Your wife knows she is not the center of your world, and she isn’t asking you for that either. But when you refuse to give her space in your busy schedule, that’s when the whole problem starts. Just spend a few moments with her. Talk to her about her day. Be curious about things at her workplace.
19. Being controlled by husbands
Devaleena says, “A controlling husband will isolate his wife from her loved ones. He becomes extremely clingy and this is also why wives are unhappy in marriages. You need to talk to your husband about his toxic behavior before you begin to question your reality. You need to know how to get out of a controlling relationship before it’s too late.”
Here’s what to do when you find out you are being controlled by your husband:
Talk to him
Set boundaries
Tell him clearly he can’t invade your personal space
Reach out to others if it feels unbearable
Try seeking therapy
If it turns abusive, leave him with the help of your support system
20. Husbands who always pass sarcastic, sexist, or demeaning remarks
Fun sarcasm isn’t bad or unhealthy in relationships. But you should know that there are times when sarcasm cuts like a knife. This is why many wives are unhappy in marriages. Husbands need to toe the line between what’s funny and what’s disguised as fun but is actually a thinly veiled insult or plain old sexism. If you’re married to a narcissist or are seeking therapy for mental-health related issues, Bonobology’s panel of experienced therapists would be glad to help you every step of the way.
Key Pointers
Lack of communication is one of the common contributors to why wives are unhappy in marriages
When women are not heard, their dreams are invalidated, or when they have to deal with sexist behavior or remarks, it makes them dissatisfied with their marriages
Women just want their husbands to appreciate and acknowledge everything that they do for them
Both husband and wife need to put in efforts to resolve conflicts and work as a team
When there is a problem, try solving it as soon as you can. The longer you let a problem breed, the deeper its effects remain in the relationship. But don’t let trivial problems become parasites in your marriage either. Talk to each other and speak out about your unhappiness without blaming the other.
Microsoft has commenced the process of expanding its partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support youth entrepreneurs on the continent.
The partnership forms part of the bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks (YEIB) Initiative, a unique value proposition set up by the African Development Bank that anchors and integrates efforts to develop entrepreneurship ecosystems in Africa.
It seeks to bring together all relevant financial and non-financial parties and partners to play their respective roles in supporting youth entrepreneurs through mentorship, coaching, knowledge and experience sharing and more.
Partnership
The partnership also forms an important part of Microsoft African Transformation Office’s ATO’s mission to empower 10 million Small and Medium Enterprise SMEs through access to skilling initiatives and investments and to generate the capacity needed to scale and provide digital skills to 30 million Africans.
Under the partnership, Microsoft will work with the bank to develop youth entrepreneurship ecosystems, creating jobs and dramatically scaling impact in Africa through digital inclusion.
The partnership seeks to support the establishment of national-level institutions through a public-private collaboration model to scale up technical and financial support for youth entrepreneurs and build their capacity.
Under the partnership, Microsoft is expected to leverage its partner ecosystem which covers 54 countries across the continent to act on key technology solutions across four key areas including skilling, connectivity, small-to-medium enterprise (SME) digitisation and hardware.
Skilling
In the area of skills, the partnership seeks to connect youth to economic opportunity and employability skills, the partnership will provide them with career pathway and learning content.
This includes the use of existing e-learning platforms such as coding for employment.
The initiative also aims to build the capacity of enterprise services organisations benefitting youth through the training of trainers.
Connectivity
In the area of connectivity, the partnership seeks to leverage successful connectivity solutions such as Microsoft Airband, the partnership will develop effective infrastructure models to help bridge the digital divide.
At the same time, it will support other innovative solutions on the market either through direct or indirect investment.
The partnership also aims to improve (SME) digital literacy and business skills by creating access to curated learning content, certifications, business solutions, business skills and specialised digital skills. This will be driven in partnership with LinkedIn and through skilling programmes such as MS Learn and the Cloud Academy.
SME access to bundled hardware solutions will be created by Microsoft and its partners.
SMEs will also be able to purchase Microsoft technology at discounted prices.
Youth
The General Manager of Microsoft Africa Regional Cluster Wael Elkabbany, explained that his outfit believed much could be done to help foster youth entrepreneurship by collaborating with the African Development Bank, driving greater economic inclusion for this key segment of the population, and ultimately building a more prosperous society.
Development
The African Development Bank Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation, Solomon Quaynor, said the strengthening of the partnership with Microsoft on the YEIB was an important development in the journey towards harnessing Africa’s demographic dividend and facilitating the creation of millions of jobs for young Africans by 2025.
The Strategic Partnerships Lead, Microsoft ATO, Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh, said “We are excited about the potential of this collaboration to magnify the work Microsoft is doing around digital inclusion in Africa.”
The Chancellor of the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, has entreated lecturers of the university to support artisans at the Suame industrial enclave to develop technologies to support the industrialisation of the country.
In doing so, he asked them to drop their academic degrees and big vocabularies and come to the level of the artisans in order to get their collaboration.
He said experience had shown that it was easier to get the collaboration of people when they had a sense of belonging, hence the need for the lecturers to rather make the approach.
“If you speak all the big English, there is no way they will be willing to collaborate. However, if you go to them speaking the local language and explain things to them, they will listen to appreciate what you are telling them,” he said.
This is because discussing mechanical problems in the local languages with the artisans will lead to finding solutions and enhancing performance.
First of its kind, the ceremony was quite a colourful one and attracted a host of dignitaries as well as the family of the chancellor.
The dignitaries included the Guest of Honour, Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former president John Agyekum Kufuor, who is an elder brother of the Chancellor, former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Oquaye, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Sir Sam Jonah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simeon Osei-Mensah, and Apagyahene Oheneba Owusu Afriyie IV, the family head of the new Chancellor.
Also present were Mrs Addo Kufuor and their two sons, as well as some senior lecturers of the KsTU.
Investment
In his address, Vice-President Bawumia paid glowing tribute to the chancellor, who he said had paid his dues to the nation through his service in the public sector.
“The university could not have picked a worthier leader than you.
“Your worth of experience as Board Chairman of Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation (SMIDO) indicate your in-depth knowledge and already established interest in Vocational and Technical Education,” he said.
He said it was apt that the first chancellor of the university was a son of the land of Ashanti Kingdom who has been put in good stead to help propel the university onto greater heights to achieve world-class university status.”
Role
Dr Kufuor said the call to be a Chancellor was an opportunity to help develop the young university students into world class talents in order to serve Ghana and raise the image of Africa on the world stage.
He also acknowledged that his new role would require him to lead the university and provide the necessary support and assistance to the council, faculties and administration to transform KsTU to one of the “topmost institutions for information and communication development and training in Ghana and beyond.
“I have confidence in the ability, creativity and ingenuity of the Ghanaian youth.
“It is my firm belief that with the right type of education and training, our young people can create and achieve whatever their counterparts have attained anywhere in the world,” he said.
Collaboration
To achieve this, the KsTU Chancellor called for more collaboration among the academia, industry and agriculture to drive industry and practical work experience for students.
He thus advised KsTU to reach out to share knowledge of mutual value with local senior institutions like the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and also other universities in the country.
Such collaboration, he explained, would also ensure that “graduating students come out of the university with considerable exposure to the workplace and the confidence to work in such an environment.”
Appreciation
He was grateful to the university governing council for selecting him as a chancellor and pledged to bring his experience and expertise in academia and administration to bear during his reign.
Ah, marriage! Anyone who has been on this roller coaster of high and lows would agree that marriage can be the most fulfilling yet the most challenging relationship of your life. However, when highs are few and far between and lows so persistent that you feel like you’re constantly plummeting toward rock bottom, you could be dealing with signs a marriage cannot be saved.
Given that every marriage goes through its share of rough patches and trouble in paradise, the question is: how do you know when a marriage can’t be saved? Well, several tell-tale signs can tell you when it’s time to stop trying to figure out how to save a broken marriage and when to call it quits.
We’re here to help you identify those red flags in consultation with psychologist Pragati Sureka (MA in Clinical Psychology, professional credits from Harvard Medical School), who specializes in addressing issues like anger management, parenting issues, abusive and loveless marriage through emotional ability resources, so that you can stop trying to resuscitate a dead relationship and focus on your healing.
Accepting that your marriage is not working out can be one of the hardest things to do. Research on the role of love and happiness in divorce decision-making indicates that even if two spouses remain in love with each other, their feelings may not be enough to prevent a marriage from falling apart, especially if the happiness quotient is lacking.
According to another study, lack of commitment, infidelity, excessive conflict, domestic violence and abuse, and substance abuse were among the common reasons why people chose to walk out of their marriages. Several other research papers – this 2003 study and this 2012 study, for instance – have also listed incompatibility, growing apart, infidelity, and substance abuse among the common factors behind divorce.
If you’re struggling with any of these issues, you have a first-hand experience of what signs your marriage will end in divorce look like. However, these are not the only factors that can cause a marriage to crumble and fall apart. Together, let’s take a closer look at the different possible risk factors to help you decide whether you’re, in fact, dealing with signs a marriage cannot be saved or if is there hope for your future as a couple:
1. Blockage in communication
“Should I save my marriage or move on?” If you’re struggling with this question, the answer can be found in how well you and your partner communicate with each other. Pragati says, “When spouses stop talking to each other and stop reaching out, that often is one of the first signs a marriage cannot be saved.”
Whether it is your individual trials and tribulations or something irksome about the quality of the relationship, you no longer open up and share your concerns with your spouse because there is a voice in your head saying, “What’s the point?” If that sounds relatable, you’re already in the early stages of a dying marriage.
Here is what blockage in communication looks like:
Your communication is purely functional – you talk about everyday essentials but nothing more
You don’t share your feelings about the relationship with your partner
You don’t share your happiness and sorrows with one another
You don’t really know what’s going on in your partner’s life and mind, and vice versa
2. Distant body language
The role of body language in a healthy relationship is often underrated. Our state of mind is reflected not just in our words and actions but also in the way we conduct ourselves around someone. That’s why the answer to how do you know when a marriage can’t be saved can be hidden in your body language around each other.
Pragati says, “You can tell a lot about the quality of a couple’s connection from their body language around each other. If seeing your partner doesn’t instinctively bring a smile to your face, if your body is turned away from them when you stand together, or if that innocuous head tilt is missing in your pictures, these could be subtle signs that you have drifted too far apart.”
Former US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump are a fitting example of this. Their distant body language in the public eye – right from the time of Trump’s inauguration when he walked up the White House stairs to greet the Obamas, leaving his wife behind to Melania slapping his hand away as he tried to hold hers – triggered much conjecture about their strained relationship.
3. Lack of intimacy is among the signs a marriage cannot be saved
How to save a broken marriage and when to call it quits? The answer to your conundrum can be found in how intimately you and your spouse are wound together. And when we say intimacy, we don’t mean your sex life (although that too could be an indicator, more on that later). We’re talking about your emotional connection and how in sync you’re with one another.
“Intimacy means “into me you see”. When a marriage is in troubled water, the focus invariably shifts from the “we” to “I”, and as a result, both partners can start feeling unseen and unheard in the relationship. This renewed focus on the “I” is not an outcome of being centered in the self, which tends to make people more loving and generous. This is an act of selfishness, where your shared interests as a couple are deprioritized for the sake of individual interests of either both spouse or one,” explains Pragati.
4. How do you know when a marriage can’t be saved? Shifting priorities
Speaking of the “I” becoming more important than the “we”, shifting priorities can also become the undoing of a marriage. When your ideas of happiness, your goals, and your vision for life become diametrically opposite, an eternity together can seem unthinkable. April, a nurse practitioner, shares, “My ex-husband and I parted ways because we realized we had become very different people over the years and had nothing in common.
“I had learned to live with our differences but the news of an unexpected, unplanned pregnancy made me realize that not all differences can be overlooked. He wanted me to terminate the pregnancy but having been raised Catholic, it was unthinkable for me. When he asked me to choose between him and our unborn baby was the day I gave up on my marriage.”
Shifting priorities in a marriage can spell doom because:
The shared vision that brought you together begins to change
You and your partner evolve into very different versions of the people you once were
You can feel out of sync with each other
You slip down your partner’s list of priorities and vice versa
5. Betrayal of trust indicates a marriage cannot be saved
As we’ve mentioned before, several research studies have listed infidelity as one of the leading factors for divorce. However, betrayal of trust isn’t limited to cheating on a partner alone. It can manifest in different forms, each of which can be counted among the signs a marriage cannot be saved.
Pragati says, “While a one-off incident of infidelity may not necessarily be a harbinger of divorce, repeated betrayal of trust can very well be. This betrayal can be sexual, emotional, or even financial. Often, infidelity itself can be a symptom of a relationship being riddled with issues. And if one partner cannot uphold their promise of honesty and transparency in the relationship, it’s a sign that the rot runs deep and a couple’s future together may be in jeopardy.”
6. You and your spouse have stopped arguing
Wait, what, a lack of arguments can be one of the signs a marriage cannot be saved? This may come as a surprise to many but fighting in a relationship can help sustain it. Pragati explains, “Arguments may be unpleasant but they indicate a will to hash out the differences and make a relationship work.
“On the other hand, when partners stop arguing and airing their differences, it suggests that they have given up on the relationship. This can well be a sign that either one or both partners have checked out emotionally and the relationship is in troubled waters.”
7. How do you know when a marriage can’t be saved? Constant criticism
Renowned psychologist Dr. John Gottman lists criticism as one of the four horsemen of apocalypse in a marriage. While it is perfectly okay to offer constructive criticism to a partner or voice your complaints in a relationship, constant criticism is a tool to dent a person’s self-esteem and can be extremely damaging to a relationship.
Pragati explains, “Criticism is often aimed at attacking a person’s character through sweeping generalizations like “You are so selfish”, “You are so needy”, and “You can’t ever do anything right”. This sort of belittling can lead to a lot of negativity, which can render a relationship unsalvageable.”
8. Contempt is among the signs a marriage cannot be saved
Speaking of the four horsemen, contempt is another trait that indicates that a marriage is on its tenterhooks and headed toward an inevitable end. Pragati says, “Contempt in a relationship is a reflection of a sense of superiority and is doled out with an intent of putting the other person down. This can manifest in the form of cynicism, sarcasm, eye-rolling, mockery, name-calling, and hostile humor.”
If you have been wondering, “Should I save my marriage or move on?”, paying attention to whether your partner treats you with contempt may help you reach a decision. After all, if they’re always dismissing you and your opinions, needs, wants, and desires as worthless, is it even worth investing your energies in salvaging a relationship where you don’t get basic respect?
9. A failing marriage is fraught with defensiveness
If one or two of the four horsemen are present in a dynamic, there is a slim chance that others won’t follow in their wake. If you are being treated with contempt and met with constant criticism in your marriage, chances are you will resort to defensiveness as a form of self-protection. It can become your go-to mechanism to ward off your partner’s attacks.
However, the problem with defensiveness is that it makes you play the victim and resort to blame-shifting to wash your hands of any accountability for your actions. As a result, you don’t work toward resolving your issues because you’re so focused on driving home the “the problem is you, not me” point. With no resolution in sight, your issues may keep piling up and ultimately cost you your marriage.
10. Stonewalling is a sign of a failing marriage
And finally, the fourth horseman – stonewalling. As Pragati mentioned, communication blockages are one of the signs a marriage cannot be saved. Stonewalling takes this breakdown in communication to a whole different level. It refers to a person completely withdrawing themselves from a conversation, making it impossible to get through to them – almost like breaching a wall of stones.
Stonewalling typically happens in response to conflict discussion, where one partner refuses to engage in conversation. Once again, this kind of response to conflict in a relationship can leave a string of unresolved issues in its wake, which can take their toll on your bond sooner or later.
The Accra office of the West African Examination Council(WAEC) has mentioned difficulty in reading and understanding test items as some of the challenges faced by hearing-impaired candidates in WAEC examinations.
It said such candidates were also affected by the lack of or inadequate sign language interpreters during examinations, and mixing them with hearing candidates in the examination hall.
These, it said, had left them with unencouraging performances at WAEC examinations.
It said while such candidates performed better in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), they did not do well in West African Senior Schools Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), especially in English and Mathematics.
An assessment test accommodations conducted by the Accra Section of WAEC from 2016 to 2021 revealed that with the exception of 2019 and 2020 that hearing-impaired candidates did well in their examinations, their performance over the years, especially in English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science in WASSCE had not been encouraging.
Seminar
The acting Head of the Accra Section of the Research Department of WAEC, Kwaku Dankwa, who made the disclosure at a virtual seminar to deliver the findings of the assessment, said from the test assessment, the reasons identified for the poor performance of the candidates in their examinations included unsuitable questions, language barrier, limited vocabulary, absence of learning outside the classroom, poor language and poor spelling.
He said the hearing-impaired saw English Language as a barrier because they were taught in sign language although they were examined in English Language.
Furthermore, he said, the hearing-impaired had limited vocabulary because in the sign language, they did not sign every word for which reason they were not familiar with some of the words they met during examination, hence they did not understand them to enable them to answer the questions properly.
“The kind of incidental learning that the hearing child have an advantage of, they don’t have that. At any point in time, somebody has to be with them trying to explain things to them using sign language because that is the mode of learning they are used to,” he added.
Stats
Mr Dankwa said WAEC, as the examining body, would engage stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education to reduce the challenges hearing-impaired candidates faced in their examinations in order that they were not left behind.
In 2016 for instance when 158 hearing-impaired candidates sat for the WASSCE, male hearing-impaired candidates who had between grades A1 to C6 in English Language were 11.4 per cent, while the females were 8.1 per cent.
That of Mathematics for the same grades were 9.4 per cent for males and 4.8 per cent for females, while for Integrated Science in the same year, 4.8 per cent females scored grades A1 to C6 and the males had 9.4 per cent.
Mr Dankwa said the respondents suggested that WAEC should make available sign language interpreters during examinations; recruit special education practitioners and sign language experts to mark scripts of hearing-impaired candidates; modify questions for hearing-impaired candidates as alternative papers, and examine sign language as a core subject as an alternative to English Language.
On the way forward, the assessment called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to train and post more special education experts and teachers who understand sign language to the special and inclusive schools to help hearing-impaired students to build the needed vocabulary.
It further called for WAEC to explore the use of alternative assessment test formats which focused on standard sign language and objective responses such as fill-ins.
Discussion
During the open discussion segment, some hearing-impaired students said when announcements were made during examinations, there were usually no sign language interpreters to interprete to them, causing them to make mistakes.
The Chairman for the programme, Prof. Samuel Kweku Hayford, of the Department of Special Education, University of Education, Winneba, remarked that sign language was being seriously taken care of in the education review policy.
He called for efforts to develop sign language so that right from kindergarten, children would be introduced to it.
The assessment
The study population included all hearing-impaired students and their teachers in the 15 public schools for the deaf in Ghana; heads of schools for the deaf; special education coordinators from GES, WAEC officers,special education lecturers, hearing-impaired university undergraduates in Ghana and officials of the Ghana National Association for the Deaf.
To be smitten with someone and not have them return your affection is one of the worst places to be in. When you find yourself in that situation, a better part of your time may be spent wondering how to get a guy’s attention. As hard as it may seem, it’s not impossible to make an impression on the guy you’re swooning over and leave a mark on his mind.
To be able to do that you need to revisit the whole ‘if it’s meant to be, it’ll work out’ paradigm. Matters of the heart cannot always be left to destiny. Sometimes, you have to be your own Cupid and give that little nudge for things to work out exactly the way you want them to. Grabbing the attention of the guy you have your heart set on is the first step in that direction. Only when he notices you will he begin to see what a great person you’re and how lucky he’d be to have you in his life.
To begin with, you need to put yourself on the guy’s radar without looking desperate. He needs to know that you exist for him to pay attention to you. Perhaps, trying to get his attention without talking to him would be a good starting point. Once you leave an impression on his mind from a distance, you can start building a bridge that connects you to him. Then, you need to find resonance with him.
Your appearance, words, actions, and behavior around him – and in general – have to be such that it leaves a lasting impression on the guy. Only when he catches himself unwittingly thinking about you can you say that you’ve got his attention for good. It helps if you can find some common ground and shared interest to build upon this initial hold you’ve established on his mind.
Once you’ve checked all of these boxes, you can move on to planning and making your next moves. We’re here to help on that front with these 13 proven tips on how to get a guy’s attention:
1. Catch his eye
So, you like a guy and want him to notice you before you approach him to strike up a conversation. But how do you get a guy’s attention without talking to him? Well, one of the simplest ways to catch his eye is to work on your appearance. If you’re heading out to a place where you know you’d run into this guy, put a little thought and effort into the way you dress.
Pick out an outfit that accentuates the right assets of your body, do up your hair, and wear a premium fragrance. All of these elements will help create a distinct persona of you in his mind. Whenever he thinks of you, his mind will conjure up this desirable image. And just like that, you’ll have succeeded in being on his mind.
You may not have spoken to him or even exchanged pleasantries, but you will still be on his mind. That’s how powerful it can be to put your best foot forward with confidence. To get his attention without talking to him becomes a walk in the park when you feel confident in your skin and exude a positive vibe.
2. Make eye contact
Sexual advances don’t come naturally to most women. Even if you’re burning with desire for a man, it’s hard to make a suggestive pass at him. But you don’t have to go as far as squeezing his butt or brushing the inside of his thigh with your hand. You can get a man’s attention sexually without making any physical contact with him whatsoever by simply looking into his eyes.
Hold his gaze, whether you’re in a conversation or just looking at each other from across the room. This simple gesture of flirting with your eyes will be enough to tell him that you’re interested without saying anything per se. The more intense your look, the higher the chances that he will think about you long after.
You met a nice man. Took some time to get to know him. Went on several dates before falling in love with him. You thought he was equally into you as well. But now he’s acting strange and distant and you don’t know what to do. If your man acts this way, should you learn how to turn the tables when he pulls away? Is he making you chase him? Or does he have deeper problems than what meets the eye?
Should you even think about what to text when he pulls away from you? Or do you ignore him? This changed behavior is making you anxious. It was going so well. What must have happened? If you’re confused and don’t know what to do when he pulls away, then we’ll give you 8 steps ahead to get back the upper hand in the relationship. But first, let’s find out what’s up with him.
Why Do Men Pull Away?
It doesn’t matter which stage of the relationship you are in. Whether you just started dating or you’ve been together for a very long time, it’s infuriating when your boyfriend becomes distant from you. But why? You’ve done nothing to hurt him. Here are some reasons he’s withdrawing his love.
1. When he pulls away in the initial stages, it’s because he doesn’t like you enough
If you’ve been on only a couple of dates and don’t understand why he’s ignoring you, then it’s obvious he is not into you. You thought you both had fun on the date. He even said he’ll keep in touch, but he didn’t. After the first few dates, when he pulls away, do nothing. It is one of the signs he is not into you.
Maybe he didn’t find you charming or your interests didn’t align. Whatever the reason, let him withdraw. It’s his way of saying that his feelings aren’t the same as yours and he wants to see other people. Don’t waste your time by chasing him or making him chase you after he pulls away.
2. When he pulls away but comes back every time, he wants you to chase him
If you are saying, “He pulled away but still contacts me once in a while”, then he is just playing hard to get. As simple as that. He is close to you one day. The next day he forgets you exist. This is a typical push-and-pull attitude. His hot-and-cold behavior is a clear sign he wants you to chase him. Resist the temptation to fall for this tactic. You’ll need to learn how to back away from the guy even if you like him.
Here are some other signs he likes you but he wants you to chase him:
He has given you hints that he likes you but hasn’t really made a move to take things forward
He talks about other dates to make you jealous
He isn’t asking you out but doesn’t like it when you go out with others
3. When he pulls away after exclusively dating you, it means he is scared of commitment
This man put so much effort into winning you. He flattered you and genuinely cared for you. You started dating each other exclusively. However, he now refuses to commit to you or call you his partner. He came on strong then backed off. This could be one of the signs you are dating a commitment-phobe.
People who have this phobia usually take a step back when things get serious. According to a study, it was found that those who avoid committed romantic relationships are likely a product of unresponsive or over-intrusive parenting.
5 Signs He Is Pulling Away
He could be stressed. He could be focusing on other areas of his life. But that doesn’t mean he can’t drop you a text to tell you he’s occupied. This is where the whole problem lies. He can be considerate and tell you he’s busy or he can continue to be aloof. The latter is one of the dating red flags you should never ignore.
You don’t know if the problem is in his attachment style or if he is deliberately ignoring you. Whether he’s stuck at work, dating someone else, or he’s confused about you, here are some signs he is pulling away in case you are wondering why he is acting so distant all of a sudden.
1. He is not sharing anything with you anymore
This is one of the first things that happens when a guy pulls away. He will hold back on sharing his feelings and opinions. He avoids eye contact, barely texts you anymore, and the communication is slowly dying down. These are some of the ways to figure out if your guy is avoiding you.
He once tried to be your knight in shining armor. But now finds it hard to take an interest in how your day went. This is where you need to be careful. When he pulls away, do nothing. Not investing in the relationship is a calculated choice from his side, and you should be with someone who loves sharing his life with you.
2. He’s no longer excited about spending time with you
When you love someone, you want to talk to them, meet them, and be in their presence for as long as you can. When he’s no longer interested in spending time with you or going on dates with you, then it’s one of the signs he’s backing away from the relationship.
3. He doesn’t appreciate, compliment, or acknowledge you
A few basic things that keep a relationship harmonious are communication, acceptance, acknowledgment, and appreciation. When you stop doing even one of these, it may cause problems in the relationship. You’ll know he doesn’t want to be with you anymore when he stops appreciating you.
4. Signs he is pulling away — there’s little to no intimacy now
All types of intimacies will take a backseat when he pulls away. There won’t be any emotional, physical, or sexual intimacy between you and your boyfriend. He is no longer vulnerable with you. He either wants to be with you just to have sex or he’s having sex with you just because the two of you are dating. It’s become an emotionally unfulfilling dynamic. You need to leave him alone when he pulls away like this.
5. He has stopped talking about the relationship’s future
If the two of you have been dating for a long time, have great chemistry, and he pulls away all of a sudden, then there are chances he doesn’t see a future with you. When you love someone, you want to eventually move in together, get married, and settle down. But if he has stopped talking about his and the relationship’s future, it’s one of the signs he’s not interested anymore.
Do you want to know how to keep a guy interested or how to make a guy fall in love with you all over again? Here are some strategies on how to turn the tables when he pulls away.
1. Don’t freak out
The first thing to keep in mind when he acts distant is that it could be nothing. He could be dealing with family issues or he could be genuinely stuck at work every day and hasn’t had the time to respond to your messages or he may need space and want to spend some time alone.
How do you get his attention when he pulls away? By remaining calm. Leave him alone when he pulls away. This is the best thing you can do if you want the relationship to survive. Even if he intentionally withdraws from the relationship, don’t act out of haste or confront him immediately.
2. Observe his actions
When a guy suddenly acts uninterested, it can trigger unwanted traumas from the past and nibble at our deepest fears. This is where you need to stop overthinking. If you want to know how to turn the tables when he pulls away, then try to observe his actions. Did you do or say something to upset him? Or maybe he is learning how to get over insecurities. It could be something related to you or completely unrelated to you as well. That’s why you need to observe patiently before you burst out.
3. Do something thoughtful for him
You’re wondering how to win him back after he pulls away, or what to text when he pulls away all of a sudden. If the reasons for his distant behavior are still unclear, then do something sweet and thoughtful. Or try texting him something romantic. Try to do a few things that will make your boyfriend happy and feel loved.
Try to reignite the love and find out how to get him to chase you. You can try new things in bed if you want to know how to turn him on. Cook for him. Praise him. If there are signs he has strong feelings for you, then he will come back.
4. Have a conversation with him
Communication is the key to healthy relationships. Sit down. Chat with him. Don’t escalate the conversation by accusations and allegations. Don’t play the blame game. Use “I” sentences. Tell him how you feel rather than telling him how he’s making you feel.
Some of the examples are:
I feel like you are avoiding me
I think our emotional intimacy is taking a hit
I feel like you are pulling away and we need to find ways to rebuild our relationship
5. Give him space
Give a man space when he pulls away even after having a conversation regarding his behavior. Don’t force him to talk to you. Don’t compel him to spend time with you. You can’t be the only one to fix this. It requires two people in a relationship to bridge the gap.
If you see the signs he’s pulling away, then let him have some alone time to process his thoughts and emotions. Maybe he is pulling back in a relationship because he wants a break. There are many benefits of taking a break in a relationship. If that’s what you want too, then taking a break in a relationship is nothing unusual. It is healthy and known to strengthen a bond.
6. Don’t chase him
If he didn’t fall for all the sweet things you did for him and is still showing no interest in you, then here is one of the shocking things to do when a man pulls away – Act like he doesn’t exist. If he’s moving away from you, you need to move away as well.
You can’t chase him if he doesn’t want to be with you. It will just make him feel trapped. When he pulls away in a relationship and it doesn’t seem like he wishes to return, you don’t need to put so much effort and energy into him anymore.
7. Go out with your friends
Have an exciting life without him. A man isn’t everything. You can have a life with or without him. Go out with your friends. Meet your family. Go back to your old hobbies. Follow your passion. The world doesn’t stop just because a man stopped giving you the attention and love you were seeking.
This is one of the best ways to get a man to chase you after he pulls away. Live your life. Don’t ever think that the fault is yours when you know it’s not. It’s one thing to care for a man in a healthy relationship. But the trait of showering you with attention one day and acting like they don’t know you the next is toxic.
8. Date other people
Here’s what to do when you had great chemistry and he pulls away out of the blue. Date other men. He can’t expect you to tolerate his behavior forever. He took enough advantage of your resilience. It’s time you learn how to pull away from a guy you love. He can’t be AWOL for weeks and expect you to be single. So date other people. This will definitely make him come back. If nothing works, this is our last tip on how to turn the tables when he pulls away.
Key Pointers
It’s a red flag if he frequently resorts to a push and pull behavior
He might be pulling away in the initial stages of dating because he isn’t attracted to you
One of the major signs he is pulling away is when he shows no interest in your life
If it feels like he is just doing this to hurt you, leave him and date other people
You need to know what to do when he pulls away instead of chasing him. If he’s a narcissist, this is exactly what he wants. Don’t feed his ego by letting him play with your feelings. This sequence of him pulling away and then coming back can seriously impact your mental health.
FAQs
1. Is he testing me by pulling away?
If this has happened just once, then you have nothing to worry about. He could be genuinely busy. But if this is a recurring action, then he is testing you by pulling away.
2. When a man pulls away how long does it last?
It can last from a day to weeks. Anything more than 3 weeks is practically a breakup. You don’t have to wait for him if he has ignored you for even 4 days straight. Every relationship has fights. That doesn’t mean you should pull away abruptly without a mutual conversation about taking space.
3. Should you pull away when he pulls away?
If there is no logical reason behind his behavior, then yes. You must pull away. If you’ve done something to offend or hurt him, then talk to him. Try to understand why he’s pulling away from you.
Heavy rains on Saturday ushered in the month of October, causing floods that destroyed property and disrupted many outdoor events, especially weddings and funerals.
The intermittent downpour which started at dawn in Accra restricted movement and caused vehicular traffic especially, delaying many planned ceremonies.
Vehicles and commuters waded through heavy floods to get to their destinations while some drivers had to park their vehicles on the shoulders of roads due to poor visibility.
Event grounds deserted during the rains
Pictures posted on social media showed how seats and tables arranged at some open air events grounds had been abandoned while guests sought cover in nearby facilities.
Determined to go through their events as planned, some hosts and their guests resorted to the use of umbrellas, and in addition, hurried through the activities for the ceremonies.
Throughout last week, heavy rains have been lashing some districts across the country including Accra, Kumasi and its surrounding areas and parts of the Eastern Region.
In Kumasi, the wares of hundreds of traders in the Kumasi Central Market were destroyed in Wednesday’s flooding which has been blamed on the contractors of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project.
The traders accused them of blocking a sewage system at the construction site, leading to the floods although the contractors have denied being responsible for the situation.
Joynews reported that 20 per cent part of the central market space yet to be demolished for the market redevelopment project got flooded, destroying wares worth millions of cedis.
Consultant in charge of the project Emmanuel Danso said they only took measures to gather the debris in the gutters that are connected to the Subin stream at the market.
At least three persons reportedly died in floods in the Ashanti Region; specifically at Oduom-Bebre, Asokwa and Subin.
That same Wednesday in Kyebi in Akyem Abuakwa area of the Eastern Region, heavy rains caused the Birim River to overflow its banks and caused flooding in the area, thereby hindering vehicular movement.
Some vehicles which were in motion ahead of the rains and those that were trying to meander their way through the waters were partially submerged, likewise other structures.
It was reported that it is the first time in over five decades that Kyebi had experienced severe flooding of its kind with the impact of illegal mining on the Birim River being blamed for the scale of flooding.
In a social media post on Saturday, the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi said the Akokoaso community was not spared by the rains this week.
“Floods this week took a life, washed away some trading stalls, roads and oil palm processing plants in the Akokoaso”, he said after visiting the scenes and commiserating with the victim’s family.
Meanwhile the Ghana Meteorological Agency has cautioned Ghanaians to expect more rains and be cautious in flood-prone areas.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has stepped up efforts to increase tax compliance and generate more revenue with the introduction of an electronic (e) invoicing system that eliminates the various abuses used by taxpayers to deny the state huge revenue.
The authority rolled out the e-invoicing system for value added tax (VAT) from October 1 to 600 large taxpayers that generate more than 90 per cent of VAT revenue.
The exercise is expected to cover medium-sized taxpayers by 2023 before being extended to all businesses in 2024.
Unlike the manual system, the e-invoicing system allows the GRA to monitor live transactions in companies where it has been deployed, thereby making it impossible for taxpayers to either under invoice or dodge the payment of VAT.
GRA estimates show that the country’s VAT contributions to tax revenue could be increased to 30 per cent from the current 18 per cent if the various abuses that the manual invoicing system is pronged to decisively be dealt with.
The system was rolled out simultaneously with an electronic tax clearance certificate (TCC) system that also seeks to remove the abuses the current system is prone to.
The Head of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) at GRA, Edward Apenteng Gyamerah, told journalists on Friday that the two programmes formed part of a tax digitalization agenda being championed by the authority.
He said the authority was optimistic that the e-invoicing and the e-TCC would help increase revenue generations by removing the malpractices that the manual systems had been subjected to.
Last month, GRA swoops and mystery purchases in various companies that led to the discovery of non-compliant institutions and the temporary closure of their operations.
He said while VAT collections in Ghana’s peer nations amounted to 30 per cent per annum, that of Ghana was around 18 per cent.
This, he said meant that more VAT revenue was being lost through the abuses that the manual system was subjected to.
To help deal with this, the Head of DTRD said authority and the government amended Section 42 of the VAT Act, (2013) Act 870 as amended to make e-invoicing compulsory and the only medium for issuing VAT invoices.
“Through this, we will be able to improve upon compliance, we will have audit trail and that will allow us to know the volume of transactions every minute for us to assess the taxes appropriately,” he said.
Speaking on the mode of implementation, Mr Gyamerah said the system would be deployed using two different routes.
He said for businesses that had their own platform for issuing VAT, GRA connected its software for generating the e-VAT invoices into theirs to allow for take off.
But for businesses that did not have their own systems, he said the authority would give its software to them at no cost.
On the e-TCC, he said businesses only needed to enter their details into the e-TCC portal created by GRA for the certificates to be generated automatically.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, says he has initiated steps to help resolve the prolonged conflict in Bawku in the Upper East Region.
The Asantehene says Bawku, as a border town, could become an entry point for extremists from Burkina Faso, which has become unstable in recent times.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who spoke during a visit by the US Ambassador to Ghana at the Manhyia Palace, says there are engagements with the National Security Minister and traditional authorities in the North to help resolve the conflict.
“I have had meetings with the National Security Minister to see how best I can be of help. I will speak to the Paramount Chief of the Mamprugu people and the Bawku Na ba to find a way to resolve this. I feel that what is happening in Burkina Faso is porous, and if we are not careful, the porosity of the border will come back to Ghana. We do not have the ability to check what is happening. That is why I’m asking the National Security Minister to give proper intelligence training to control the borders with all the terrorist attacks threats.”
President Nana Akufo-Addo has appealed to the Overlord of the Mamprugu traditional area, and President of the North East Regional House of Chiefs, Naa Bohagu Mahami Sheriga to help restore lasting peace in Bawku.
He said the persistent violence and killings in the Bawku traditional area are unacceptable and must end.
The President was speaking in Nalerigu as part of his tour of the North East Region.
“Mahama was very instrumental among the three eminent chiefs in bringing us to have peace in Dagbon and I know he is also going to be instrumental in making sure that we get peace in Bawku”.
Recent tensions in Bawku have led to several persons being wounded, with some losing their lives.
The recent tensions can be traced to December 27, 2021, when there was gunfire in parts of the town after attempts to perform the final funeral rites of a Chief who died about 41 years ago.
The violence resulted in a curfew being placed on the entire township, a ban on smock-wearing, and a ban on the use of motorbikes.
Though calm has been restored in Bawku, various stakeholders are appealing to factions in the conflicts to resort to non-violent ways of resolving their differences.
The government engaged the National Peace Council to find a lasting solution to the disturbances that have characterized Bawku
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has also urged the feuding factions in the Bawku chieftaincy dispute to ceasefire and dialogue.
Pregnancy is no less than a miracle. However, it’s also no secret that it’s back-breaking (quite literally) and brings enormous changes in a couple’s life. Sometimes, relationships don’t pass this test and you might find yourself in the middle of ending a relationship while pregnant.
Pregnancy is overwhelming enough on its own, but to go through a breakup on top of that can be arduous. However, when you realize that the relationship is not working for you, sticking around just because leaving seems too daunting simply means kicking the can down the road.
As scary as the prospect of ending a relationship during pregnancy may be, know that you’re not alone. We’re here to help you figure out how best to maneuver this unexpected curveball. In this article, trauma-informed counseling psychologist Anushtha Mishra (MSc., Counseling Psychology), who specializes in providing therapy for concerns such as trauma, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, grief, and loneliness among others, writes about how to deal with breaking up while pregnant and living together.
What challenges does pregnancy bring about in a couple’s life?
Pregnancy marks a new beginning in a woman’s life. Your body is changing and a whole lot in your life is shifting, including the relationship you share with your partner. As a couple, this may not be one of the smoothest rides of your journey together so far.
Pregnancy is a delicate period in a couple’s lives and as much as you want to protect your bond with your partner, challenges are bound to come your way. It’s important to identify these to be able to figure out a way of dealing with them effectively. Below are a few challenges that pregnancy can bring up in a couple’s life:
1. It may lead to a lack of communication
Pregnancy is an overwhelming experience for both the parents-to-be. One among many similar studies shows that the prenatal stage can be very stressful for expecting mothers. In that study, about 17% of the women were psychologically stressed. This kind of stress makes it harder to communicate your feelings and thoughts to your partner because it’s already too much to process for you.
Lack of communication is a threat to the very existence of a relationship. It escalates conflicts and makes you form a negative perspective of your partner. It is detrimental to your health as well, which is the last thing you need when you are expecting.
So, it’s important that you try not to keep your concerns to yourself and talk about stress and anxiety. Discuss what it will be like to be a parent, including your expectations, challenges you may come across, and childcare arrangements.
2. There will be changes in expectations
Pregnancy brings with it a lot of changes. It becomes necessary then that partners’ expectations from each other are altered to make room for these changes. If the expectations are not adjusted, there will be disappointments because it will be very difficult for both partners to live up to the expectations they had from each other pre-pregnancy.
Women also go through a lot of behavioral changes during pregnancy. Your partner expecting you to do everything that you did before will lead to you being unhappy in a relationship while pregnant. It goes the other way around as well.
Changing the expectations in a relationship can seem overwhelming at first, making it one of the biggest challenges for a couple during pregnancy. It’s important to discuss the expectations beforehand so that the transition period is easier for you both.
3. A shift of responsibility between the couple
Along with changes in expectations, there will also be a shift in responsibilities. There’s a lot that you would both need to do like educating yourself on different aspects of having a baby, preparing the home for the arrival of your newborn, and so on. Your partner would need to take on a little more responsibility during this time, including taking care of you and your emotional needs.
Your primary responsibility would also shift toward yourself and taking care of your baby, and you may be more focused on learning about the process of labor, birth, and postpartum recovery. While you will rely on your partner, you also need to take the responsibility of letting your partner in. In fact, that will be one of their expectations as well.
4. Sex might come down a notch
By this, I mean a phase where there’s little to no sexual activity between the couple. It’s normal for your sex drive to change during pregnancy. This isn’t something to worry about. You may either find having sex very enjoyable during pregnancy or simply feel you don’t want to.
A study indicates that pregnancy is a phase of sexual slack for couples. This was mainly due to the concern for the baby’s well-being. However, this comes from a lack of awareness. According to National Health Services (NSH), it’s perfectly safe to have sex while pregnant unless your doctor has advised you against it.
This lack of awareness and fear for the baby may become very challenging because periods of sexual slack can be frustrating and may give rise to feelings of loneliness, lack of connection, and understanding, especially if either of the partners wants to but the other isn’t up for it.
5. There may be a shift in the mood of the relationship
Pregnancy is a time when hormones fluctuate, making you feel moody a lot. There are a lot of emotions the to-be mother goes through – happiness, anger, irritability, sadness, and even anxiety.
However, your partner also goes through a lot of emotions, ranging from happiness to confusion to uncertainty. These mood swings that you experience and the whole pressure your partner feels might shift the mood of the entire relationship as well.
This is challenging because it can be really stressful holding space for each other’s emotional attunement when you are both vulnerable. Communicating with each other is paramount for working through this challenge.
Reasons to end a relationship during pregnancy
Anna, who is a teenager and 4 months pregnant, often asks her friends, “My boyfriend left me pregnant, will he come back? Why was I dumped while pregnant?” Her friends tell her that he is gone for good. But why is that so? What are the reasons that break up a relationship during pregnancy?
It is daunting to break up with your baby’s parent and I know that ending a relationship while pregnant is scary. While you can overcome some of the challenges that the couple face during pregnancy, there are some relationship challenges you can do very little about. It might then be essential to end the relationship.
You decide your own non-negotiables, your own reasons to be in or out of your relationship, pregnant or otherwise. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of pregnancy and unsure about the future, it may help to be mindful of these common reasons why people end their relationships during pregnancy.
1. A lack of support
Pregnancy is a wonderful life event but also a difficult one for the couple. The focus shifts to the pregnancy so much that emotional connection sometimes takes a backseat. This can be confusing to your partner and they may become less or not at all enthusiastic about the pregnancy. If this persists and the lack of support continues, it can become a toxic relationship. It‘s your decision, but ending a toxic relationship while pregnant is a good idea, even when it is really scary.
Sometimes, it may also happen that a partner only thought of the cute fun aspects of the pregnancy such as maternity pictures but completely forgot about things like morning sickness. When they have to deal with the strenuous sides of pregnancy, it sends them headed for the hills. This is a common scenario for a breakup, especially among teenagers.
2. Your partner faltering over the pregnancy
The changes that come with pregnancy are overwhelming. Even when both of you thought you were ready for this, your partner might realize that it’s more than they can handle. This may lead to them getting cold feet. If your partner’s cold feet last longer than you can handle, then it can be a reason for ending a relationship while pregnant.
Having a partner who is not sure about their ability to handle a pregnancy or parenthood can leave you stressed and heartbroken, which is detrimental to your and your baby’s health. One out of many studies shows that stress during pregnancy is a risk factor for adverse outcomes for mothers and children. To avoid this kind of stress and heartbreak during pregnancy, it is a good idea to evaluate your relationship.
3. The changes in expectations might not settle in too well
One of the challenges we discussed before is that there will be changes in the relationship expectations when you are expecting a baby. This challenge can be hard to overcome. If your partner doesn’t adjust to these new expectations, it can be a dealbreaker.
The changes in expectation might look like, but are not limited to, your partner and you showing more support to each other’s needs that have changed, your partner taking on a little more responsibility, and you taking care of yourself more than you might be used to.
Any kind of change or uncertainty in a relationship is difficult and so is this one. Some couples are able to overcome this with the help of honest communication or by taking help from a mental health professional. But if it starts to overwhelm you and you don’t see the relationship moving past this hurdle, you can consider ending a relationship while pregnant.
4. Constant state of unhappiness in the relationship
It’s normal that the mood of the relationship shifts and drifts between excitement and anxiousness, but do you or your partner find yourself looking for excuses to ignore each other, feel put off by each other, and don’t share much anymore? These may be telling signs that there’s unhappiness in the relationship.
If you are unhappy in a relationship while pregnant, it is important to analyze what’s bothering you and then discuss it with your partner or reach out to a relationship counselor. But if despite trying everything, you’re at a dead end and the state of your relationship is affecting you negatively, it may not be a bad idea to end the relationship then.
5. Emotional, physical, or verbal abuse
According to a study by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), one in six abused women is abused during pregnancy. More than 320,000 women are abused by their partners during pregnancy each year.
Abuse can not only harm you but also can put your unborn baby in grave danger. It can lead to miscarriage, your baby being born too soon, having a low birth weight, or physical deformities. It is important that you recognize that you are in an abusive relationship.
Once you realize this, you’ve made the first step toward getting help in ending a relationship while pregnant. Tell someone you trust. Once you’ve confided in them, they might be able to put you in touch with a crisis hotline, legal-aid service, a shelter, or a safe haven for abused women.
Breakups are hard regardless of whether you are expecting them or not and some take the breakup harder than others. It’s definitely more complicated when you are pregnant because then you’re breaking up with not just your partner but also your child’s parent. There is a chance they’re going to be around in your baby’s life, whether you like it or not.
Anna found herself staring down a dark abyss of uncertainty after her boyfriend decided to walk out on her and their unborn child. Coping with the reality of breaking up while pregnant and living together wasn’t easy but she leaned on her support system and found ways to deal with the situation as best as she could. This support helped her transition from “My boyfriend left me pregnant, will he come back?” to “I am self-sufficient and I will be okay”. She didn’t let the experience of being dumped while pregnant hold her and her baby back.
There is no denying that this situation is tough and it becomes difficult to tread the water sometimes but know that there are ways you can cope with ending a toxic relationship while pregnant and come out brighter and better on the other side, just like Anna. Listed below are some ways to cope that I can vouch for as a therapist:
1. Take your time to grieve
It’s important that you give yourself enough time to grieve. Pregnancy is already a physically and emotionally taxing experience. A breakup, then, brings you face to face with a reality that is markedly different from what you had hoped for yourself and your baby. This can leave you grappling with the feeling of being abandoned during pregnancy.
Let your feelings flow and give yourself the space to grieve and process your loss. Do things you think would help you express your emotions. Indulge in that ice cream tub with a box of tissues by your side while you watch something emotional. Cry on your couch and take time to feel better and accept what has happened.
If it gets hard to navigate this loss, reach out to a mental health professional who can help you walk through this. If you’re looking for help, skilled and experienced counselors on Bonobology’s panel are here for you.
2. Be in check of your finances
I know this is the last thing you want to deal with when you are already in emotional turmoil but it is important that you check in on your financial situation too. Ending a relationship while pregnant is a huge change from the life you had envisioned for yourself, and you need to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered.
You are going to build a nest to take care of your baby and it’s only understandable that after a breakup, you calculate how much money you’ll roughly need to gain as much stability and independence as possible.
You also need to make sure you have a job and that you understand and take advantage of any maternity leaves that are offered by your employer without relying on the hope that your ex-partner would be willing to support either you or your child.
3. Lean on your support system
This is a lonely experience and the best way to find comfort at this time is to seek strength through your support system. Your loved ones will offer ever-flowing and unconditional support in this time of need. Seeing them care for you will help you feel better.
Stress, as mentioned before, takes a severe toll on both the expecting mother and the baby. It is, for this reason, crucial that you seek support as a part of the breakup healing process. I understand that you may want to withdraw from interacting with anyone but keeping people who care for you close can help you heal. Try letting them in.
4. Practice positive coping skills
Breaking up during pregnancy is tough and this is only putting it mildly. I can’t stress enough how bad stress is for an expecting mother and her baby, and so now, more than ever, it’s important to practice positive coping skills.
Maybe try enjoying moderate exercise that helps release endorphins, which are known as happy hormones. Studies show and The American Psychological Association also mentions how exercise can boost our mental health.
Meditation or learning the art of deep breathing also helps. Doing yoga while pregnant also is a great idea. A study shows that yoga is really effective in improving pregnancy and overall mental health. Whatever healthy coping skills you’ve got, use them.
5. It’s time you focus on yourself and your baby
This is maybe one of the most essential parts of any breakup and pregnancy doesn’t change that. You do need to take care of your unborn baby but you also need to make sure you focus on yourself. Remember, taking care of and focusing on yourself will help the health of the baby as well.
It’s difficult to let go after a breakup. I can’t even imagine the strength it might take to do so while the hormones are magnifying your every emotion. But, remember, that you don’t have to do it all by yourself, take the support you need and keep moving forward one step at a time.
Key Pointers
Pregnancy is an overwhelming experience for both the parents-to-be
There are many challenges a couple faces during pregnancy such as lack of communication, a shift in responsibilities and expectations, and dwindling intimacy
Lack of support, a constant state of unhappiness, and your partner faltering over the pregnancy are some legitimate reasons for ending a relationship while pregnant
Abuse is an absolute deal breaker in a relationship, pregnant or otherwise
You can deal with the breakup during pregnancy by taking time to grieve and focusing on yourself. Being in check of your finances and leaning on your support system is also important
Ideally, a baby needs both parents to thrive. But real life is far from idealistic. Ending your relationship while pregnant could be the only option if your partner isn’t on board with resolving conflict, isn’t committed to the idea of parenthood, or has become abusive.
Children learn from their caregivers. If the child sees you in an unhappy union, they might learn that it’s okay to compromise your values and needs in order to stay in a relationship. While ending a relationship while pregnant is the last thing you would want to do, if you have your reasons, it might be the best decision for both you and your baby.
The two organisations have also asked the military junta to refrain from acts of violence and comply with a laid down process agreed with transition authorities to return the country to constitutional order by July 1, 2024.
This was contained in separate statements issued by ECOWAS Chairman, Guinea-Bissau’s President, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, and AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Maham, at the weekend.
In the country’s second coup in a year, Burkina Faso military leader, Paul-Henri Damiba, was on Friday deposed as army Captain, Ibrahim Traore, took charge, dissolving the transitional government and suspending the constitution.
Traore said on Friday evening that the new group of officers removed Damiba due to his inability to deal with a worsening armed uprising in the country for which he initially toppled the civilian government.
“ECOWAS finds this new coup a major setback at a time when progress had been made, particularly through diplomacy and efforts undertaken to ensure an orderly return to constitutional order by 1st July 2024”, the ECOWAS statement said.
While reaffirming its “unreserved condemnation” of any seizure or retention of power by unconstitutional means, it demanded the scrupulous respect of the timetable already agreed upon with the Transition Authorities for a rapid return to constitutional order.
“ECOWAS hereby warns any institution, force or group of persons who, by their actions, may hinder the planned return to constitutional order or contribute to undermining the peace and stability of Burkina Faso and the Region.
“The ECOWAS Commission remains seized with developments in the country”, the statement said.
The AU statement extended the AU Chair’s support for ECOWAS and expressed his deep concern about the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of the government in Burkina Faso and elsewhere on the African Continent.
It said the support was in conformity with the Lomé Declaration of Year 2000, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the Accra Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government.
The Chairperson called upon the military to immediately and totally refrain from any acts of violence or threats to the civilian population, civil liberties, human rights, and ensure strict compliance with electoral deadlines for the restoration of Constitutional order by 1 July 2024, at the latest.
“The Chairperson reaffirms the continued support of the African Union to the people of Burkina Faso to ensure peace, stability and development of the country,” the AU statement said.
Ningo-Prampram MP Sam Nartey George has taken down his Facebook post about an alleged cyber attack on the systems of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
According to him, he deleted the post out of respect for the ongoing audit and maintenance work the ECG is doing to resolve the challenges customers have been facing in buying prepaid credits.
Mr George added that he did not intend to compromise the remedial steps ECG was taking to resolve the situation.
“I have taken down my ECG post out of respect for the work I have just been informed is being done on the matter. I do not intend in any way to compromise the remedial steps underway,” he wrote.
On Sunday, October 2, the legislator claimed that the challenges ECG prepaid customers are experiencing are “extremely serious” because “the attack on their system was not external but carried out by a cabal of ‘criminals’ within the very same organisation.”
The MP added that he had an information that a group had been siphoning over ¢200 million every month from the power distribution company.
He urged government to commence a forensic investigation of the IT department of ECG.
“What we are witnessing is internal power play to cripple the new MD who has dared to open an investigation into these matters. The state security apparatus must with alacrity take this matter up and ensure the safety and protection of the MD and his team seeking to uncover the mess.
“The rot at ECG would make you sick if you truly love this country and it is not about politicians here. It is Ghanaian citizens taking advantage of the citizens. We demand swift and immediate action,” he said.
The ECG has, however, indicated that it is undertaking an audit into its systems to help ascertain what caused the interruptions in the purchase of electricity credits by customers using both old and new prepaid metres.
Speaking on The Probe on Sunday, ECG’s General Manager of External Communications said “for every system when there are issues you do a system audit and that is what we are doing now, trying to make sure we audit the system to understand what happened.”
Mr Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku added that “I am sure at the end of the day we will come to a conclusion but for now, effort and concentration are to make sure that we get our systems up and running.”
Despite the challenges, the General Manager insisted the ECG systems are not vulnerable and believes the audit will clearly spell out what went wrong.
Meanwhile, Mr Goerge says he “would continue to follow the matter and update the public on the actions taken to ensure such treachery against our country never happens again.”
Credit purchase
On October 1, ECG said they had fixed the vending challenges and urged customers to visit any nearest office to purchase credits.
However, some customers have been reporting challenges as of Monday morning.
At least 16 people are in the grips of the Eastern Regional Police command for their alleged involvement in a shooting incident at Asaman Tamfoe in the Eastern Region.
The Police in a statement issued on Friday said the incident occurred between some persons believed to be illegal miners and a community anti-galamsey taskforce in the area on September 29, 2022.
Signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, Superintendent Ebenezer Tetteh, the statement said the Police had retrieved one pump action gun, two excavators, two water pumps and a battery.
Efforts, according to the police statement, were underway to arrest the remaining suspects and retrieve any other weapons in their possession.
The statement added that the police had also seen a viral video on the incident which was being reviewed as part of the investigation.
It assured the public that all other perpetrators would be arrested and brought to face justice.
A team from the Eastern Regional Police Command, led by the Eastern Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Anderson Fosu Ackaah are reported to have visited the Asamang Tamfoe Community to engage with the people.
“Yesterday, there was some disagreement with community members of Asamang Tamfoe when an anti illegal mining taskforce and the Police from Kyebi went to the area to arrest suspects and seize illegal mining equipment.
The police and the task force had gone into a bush in the area to stop a suspected illegal mining activity.
However, the community members insisted, their operations were approved as it was part of an approved community mining activity.
The Police and task force however seized some mining equipment including excavators.
“Should I apologize to my ex? Or should I let it go?” It’s a battle between the heart and the mind. Snapchat throws memories at you from five years ago. And the sudden urge to unblock your ex takes over. You think about all the times you made them cry. The picture of their cute face melts your heart like ice cream. And you are down that rabbit hole of guilt and regret.
Maybe there were too many unnecessary fights. Or maybe you didn’t give them the respect that they deserved. Maybe you were so caught up in your issues that you became blind to their needs. All these maybes start messing with your brain and all you want to do is pour them out in the form of a long apology letter starting with ‘Dear ex’.
So, if you’re wondering, “Is it too late to apologize to an ex? Should I apologize to my ex for acting crazy?”, don’t worry, we’ve got your back. These useful pointers will help you decide if it’s worth reconnecting with your ex to apologize.
Research points out that staying friends with exes out of suppressed feelings for them led to negative outcomes, whereas staying friends due to security and practical reasons led to more positive outcomes. So, the question of the hour is…Are you apologizing to your ex out of suppressed feelings for them or because you want to be civil and don’t want them to hold grudges against you? Consider the following questions to arrive at a wise decision:
1. Is the apology a dire need?
Apologizing to an ex years later only makes sense if you caused them a lot of pain and the guilt is still too hard to shake off. Did you physically or mentally abuse them? Or did you ghost them and weren’t mature enough to break up properly? Did you gaslight them or emotionally neglect them? Or did you cheat on them?
Scenarios like this can be difficult to get over. In such cases, you should surely apologize to your ex because you may have caused deep emotional damage. You might be the reason they have trust issues. If your apology comes from a place of sincerity, will bring you peace, and help you heal, then go ahead and apologize to your ex.
How to apologize to an ex? Just say, “I am really sorry for all the pain that I have caused you. I was so immature and you didn’t deserve to be treated that way. I know I should have known better. I have learned a lot and I’m trying to become a better person. I hope you forgive me someday.”
2. Is this a way to get them to apologize?
My friend Paul keeps asking me, “Should I apologize to my ex who dumped me? Maybe she feels sorry too, for what she did.” This is a classic example of the apology being conditional. Paul wants to apologize not because he feels sorry but wants his ex to feel sorry for what she did and ask for his forgiveness. So, if your objective is to get an apology in return, you should not apologize to your ex. No apology is better than an apology tendered with selfish and ulterior motives.
3. Is this just an excuse to talk to them?
I apologized to my ex and he ignored me. I was pretty hurt and crushed when he did that. To make sure you don’t have to go through that, I urge you to be honest with yourself. Are you wondering how to apologize to an ex because you want to take accountability for your actions or just because you want to hear their voice again? Is this because you are missing them like crazy and want their attention anyhow?
If the answer is in the affirmative, abort your mission right now. Go take a walk. Watch an interesting Netflix show. Complete that pending presentation from work. Sit with your parents and laugh on lame WhatsApp forwards. Go to a salon and change your hairstyle. Call up your best friend. Call up anyone EXCEPT your ex. Distract yourself.
4. You just got dumped
My colleague, Sarah, recently confided in me, “Should I apologize to my ex after no contact? The relationship I was in after breaking up with him just ended. I couldn’t talk to my ex while I was dating but now that I am single, I feel like saying sorry to my ex for being needy.”
The breakup has just triggered old trauma in her. She just needs to fill the void on an immediate basis. She also wants to jeopardize her ex’s current relationship. Can you relate to her? If you can, don’t go forward with the apology.
5. Can you stop at an apology?
Research has found that 71% of people don’t get back together with their exes, only 15% of those who get back together, stay together, and around 14% get back together but break up again. Before you act on your desire to rekindle a romance with an apology, know that the odds are stacked against you. Apologizing to an ex years later only to go down the rabbit hole of confusion is just not worth it.
So, ask yourself, “Should I apologize to my ex who dumped me? Can I stop at an apology? Am I doing it because I low-key want to get back together with them?” If your “I am sorry” can easily turn into “Hey, let’s give it another shot”, then trust me you are better off without apologizing.
6. Have you truly moved on?
Your relationship doesn’t need constant revisiting; only the song Summer of ‘69 does. So, ask yourself, have you truly moved on? If you are finding excuses to talk to them again and again, you have not moved on from them. If your intent is not right, this apology might just delay the whole process of moving instead of bringing you closer to healing.
So, instead of sulking about not getting closure, channel your energies into creating new memories in old places. Don’t keep your ex’s things around you. Don’t ask your mutual friends how your ex is doing. Reconnect with yourself (write about places you want to explore and food you want to try). Focus on the positives of the breakup and celebrate this freedom of yours.
7. Forgive yourself
Is it too late to apologize to an ex? Maybe. Perhaps, they are happily dating someone else. Or reaching out to them after no contact may get in the way of their efforts to move on. In such circumstances, reestablishing contact, even if it’s just to apologize, may not be a good idea. But you can always work on forgiving yourself. You can take the lessons that you have learned and apply them to your next relationship. It is never too late for that.
If your relationship was traumatic, there is a very real chance that your ex may respond negatively to your apology. They can say something like, “I don’t think I can ever forgive you for the pain that you caused. You are not worthy of my forgiveness. I hate you and I regret dating you.” This is the worst-case scenario but if you are not prepared for such harsh reactions, you should avoid apologizing to your ex. Working on forgiving yourself is hence better than begging for their forgiveness.
8. Ask yourself, “Do I need to apologize to my ex, or am I just beating myself up?”
Maybe you expected more out of yourself and can’t process the things that you did. And that’s why you go around asking your friends, “Should I apologize to my ex for being needy?” Listen, it’s okay. You messed up and now it is all in the past. At that time, you were wounded and didn’t know any better. The subconscious mind loves to bring in old memories. Don’t fall into the traps of “Oh, if only…” or “I wish…”. It all happened for a reason.
Write down all your suppressed feelings. Or let them out of your system by dancing, painting, or working out. Instead of punishing yourself, start taking proactive steps toward evolving in your speech, behavior, thoughts, and actions. Take the road of acceptance and introspection. Yoga and meditation can also help you a lot in loving yourself again. Also, maintain a gratitude journal and write in it every day.
9. Is your ex mature enough?
Still wondering, “Should I apologize to my ex?” Even if you do apologize, imagine the hypothetical reaction of your ex. Would they lash out and make you feel worse? Would they take it as a sign that you are not over them? Or would they accept this apology, forgive, and move on? If you were dating an immature person, the latter is unlikely.
So, you should be ready for all kinds of reactions. Stop if you know their reaction is going to hurt you. They might not forgive you right away and you should be okay with that. Only go forward with that apology if you are doing it with zero expectations. Your intention should be closure and letting go of residual guilt so that you can move on peacefully.
10. Maybe you are just going through a hard time
Maybe your parents got divorced. Or your job is just killing you from the inside. Or you just lost someone close to you. Such situations can trigger old trauma. Also, in such vulnerable times, you might feel like bonding with the person who was once very close to you. So, this need to apologize could be stemming from loneliness and wanting a shoulder to cry on. In this situation, the answer to “Should I apologize to my ex?” is “No”.
11. Recollect how your relationship made you feel
Was it a toxic and codependent relationship? Did it destroy you both from the inside? Did you become another version of yourself in that relationship? Did you spend most of your days crying? Remind yourself of all that mess and pain before asking the question, “Should I apologize to my ex for acting crazy?” Maybe, the crazy thing is wanting to revisit all that trauma.
If your ex cheated on you and you were not the one at fault, there is no point justifying their wrongdoings. Don’t blame yourself and definitely don’t say something like, “I am sorry I didn’t give you enough time. Maybe that is what made you cheat.” Their betrayal is not justified and you don’t owe them an apology.
12. Has no contact been good for you?
Is the no-contact rule working out just fine for you? Have you been a healthier version of yourself ever since you stopped talking to your ex? If the answer is yes, don’t let one weak moment take you down. Don’t apologize. Some self-control is all you need. Look for healthy distractions (like talking to people who are good for your mental health or channeling all those energies into your career).
13. Is staying in touch with your exes a recurrent pattern?
When I apologized to my ex and he ignored me, I realized for a fact that this was a deeper behavioral pattern. It involved more exes and more apologies. I realized that I was blocking my own happiness by keeping old memories so close to my heart. Turning a new leaf is only possible if old, dry leaves are crushed and forgotten.
Related Reading: Moving On From A Toxic Relationship – 8 Expert Tips To Help
So, ask yourself, “Should I apologize to my ex or should I work on myself instead?” If you are someone who keeps going back to people who are not good for you, there are definitely deeper patterns at work. Seeking professional help can help you recognize the childhood trauma that’s related to these patterns. Learning about your attachment style can help you find the answers that have eluded you for so long and understand why your relationship patterns. If you’re looking for help, counselors from Bonobology’s panel are here for you always.
Key Pointers
Before apologizing to your ex, you need to introspect on whether it truly is an apology or just an excuse to talk to them again
You can go ahead with an apology if you think you can stick to getting closure and nothing more
If your apology is conditional and you are expecting something in return, it is better to not talk at all
Apologizing can backfire if your ex is not mature enough, old resentment gets triggered, or a never-ending cycle of blame games begins
The only reasonable way to move on is forgiving yourself, learning the required lessons, and not repeating the same mistakes in your next relationship
Finally, let’s end with a quote by Helena Bonham Carter, “[If a relationship] isn’t forever, that doesn’t mean it’s a failure. The important thing is that you have to allow the other person to grow. And if they’re not going in the same direction, however heart-breaking, you have to do what is right for that growth. It’s hard to do something forever because life is very short.”
FAQs
1. Should I apologize to my ex or let it go?
Depends on how toxic your relationship was, how mature your ex is, the intentions behind that apology, and your ability to stick to an apology and respect boundaries.
2. Is apologizing to an ex selfish?
No, it’s not selfish. After becoming self-aware, we look back and realize how we caused pain to people unintentionally. Apologizing could have more to do with guilt, shame, and regret instead of selfish behavior.
