The Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Joseph Kobla Wemakor, has charged Ghanaian media professionals to rise above the challenges that confront them in the performance of their duties, putting in the time and energy and pushing boundaries to achieve excellence and effect change.
Proving his reputation as a powerhouse in his field, Wemakor expressed his convictions about the critical role of journalism in bringing about profound societal change, regardless of the challenges.
“You see, irrespective of the challenges that bedevil us in the media space, we journalists must be daring, be bold, and go beyond boundaries to overcome challenges and excel to bring about the needed change”.
The HRRG boss made this known while addressing a gathering of Ghanaian journalists at the recently held ‘Anti-Incineration and Plastic Pollution Campaign Media Conference’ in Accra on Friday, August 11, 2023.
The event, an initiative of Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), was organized in partnership with the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Climate Journalism Network Ghana, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), and GAYO Echo-Club Campus Chapters.
This conference served as a vehicle to increase public awareness of the distressing effects that plastic pollution and incineration practices have on the environment and human health.
The event’s goal, according to its organizers, is to give journalists the knowledge, abilities, and resources they need to report on these complicated issues in a precise, thorough, and engaging way.
Wemakor, who was applauded at the event in front of his peers for his outstanding work in the area of human rights advocacy, which saw him raise the Ghanaian flag high on the international stage by winning the 5th Global Entreps Awards presented by Rachel Torres, the Secretary General of Entreps-International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability in collaboration with the United Nations in Costa Rica, could not conceal his opinions after listening to journalists’ reports.
“Yes, we must admit that there are always challenges out there for us, but the fact must be made known. You see, for anyone to win an award, it is not an easy thing.”
“Sometimes you have to forgo your sleep at night; other times, you have to follow stories that will not pay, but that should not deter you from pushing the boundaries to get your stories out to cause that positive change. And by so doing, God will also see that you are doing something and recognize you”.
The prominent Ghanaian journalist and advocate for human rights challenged journalists to always try to prove themselves, no matter the challenges they face, in order to become agents of societal change. His kind words were intended to inspire, motivate, and give journalists hope.
His words showcase immense respect for journalism, the cornerstone of democracy, and the desire for journalists to rise to the challenges they face with newfound courage and determination.
Wemakor also emphasized the importance of creativity in today’s journalism during his passionate address. He stated that journalists must always look for new ways to create content and disseminate news to the public if they are to prosper and remain relevant in a media environment that is constantly changing.
His candid considerations served to inspire many who stood before him. It was evident that instilling these values — hard work, courage, and innovation — into the media fraternity could indeed effect real, meaningful change in society.
While journalism’s role in societal reformation cannot be overstated, Joseph Wemakor’s address served as a timely reminder of the potential journalists have to shape the world around us. His powerful and compelling reminder is sure to linger in the hearts and minds of Ghanaian journalists and beyond, undoubtedly becoming a beacon for those seeking to create a significant impact through their work.
GAYO’s ’Anti-Incineration and Plastic Pollution Campaign Media Conference’ provided a platform for discussing sustainable solutions to these growing problems. The organization’s ongoing dedication to nurturing a more environmentally conscious society provides hope and practical solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) has formed a ground-breaking alliance with the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Human Rights Reporters Ghana, and the Climate Journalism Network Ghana to host an ‘Anti-Incineration and Plastic Pollution Campaign Media Conference’ in Accra on Friday, August 11, 2023.
This conference aims to increase public awareness of the distressing effects that plastic pollution and incineration methods have on the environment and our health while equipping media professionals with the skills, resources, and information they require to report on these complex issues in a clear, thorough, and interesting manner.
During the conference, GAYO and partners emphasized the harms of incineration, a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and similarly related processes generate heat, gas, steam, and ash. However, these by-products of incineration contain hazardous substances that can result in environmental pollution and pose a serious risk to human health.
The conference also outlined the escalating problem of plastic pollution. Plastics, typically made from petrochemicals, are non-biodegradable.
Plastic pollution has severe consequences for our landscapes, oceans, and wildlife and is considered one of the most severe forms of pollution due to its long-lasting impact and the difficulty of containment and mitigation.
Alongside numerous expert panelists, conference attendees got access to extensive scientific research, data, and first-hand experiences showing the dire consequences of incineration and plastic pollution.
These discussions aim to spur public engagement and foster a deeper understanding of the environmental conservation space.
Additionally, the conference also includes dedicated sessions on responsible journalism with relation to reporting on incineration and plastic pollution. The aim is to equip journalists with the needful tools, knowledge, and skills to report on these complex issues in an accurate, comprehensive, and appealing manner.
GAYO, a youth-led environmental conservation and advocacy non-governmental organization, has been committed to creating an environmentally conscious society in Africa. Guided by sustainability principles, the organization focuses on climate change adaptation and mitigation, conservation, sustainable agriculture, and youth advocacy on social and environmental reforms.
With the help of its “Anti-Incineration and Plastic Pollution Campaign,” the group has been working nonstop to lessen the negative effects of incineration-based garbage disposal with the support of partners.
This partnership is made more impactful through the joining of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, a leading network that concentrates on delivering unbiased, comprehensive reports on human rights issues worldwide. Additionally, the Climate Journalism Network Ghana, a renowned platform aiming to promote accurate reporting on climate change, has also joined.
The conference is a part of GAYO’s wider campaign against incineration and plastic pollution, where the organization strives to shed light on the complex climate crisis and explore sustainable solutions to address it.
The first-ever “Anti-Incineration and Plastic Pollution Media Conference” serves as a knowledge and resource center by providing participants and delegates with a wide range of sessions and discussions centered on incineration and plastic pollution.
Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Climate Journalism Network Ghana, GAYO Echo-Club Campus Chapters and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) involvement undoubtedly augments the conference’s reach and significance. With their vast, diverse, and engaged audiences, they are primed to maximize attention on these previously overlooked issues.
“Through this event, we hope to promote discourse at a global level. We believe that a full understanding of the grave impacts of plastic pollution and incineration is a much-needed step in seeking sustainable solutions,” says Mabel Naa Amorkor Laryea, Project Lead for the Anti-Incineration and Plastic Pollution Campaign (AIPPC).
Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Joseph Kobla Wemakor, who was equally in attendance, used the occasion to encourage media practitioners to use their platforms to editorialize these concerns, making use of their influential power to effect change.
According to him, the media plays a vital role in educating the public and holding power to account; therefore, it can help change attitudes towards waste management by promoting better practices and exposing the environmental and health impacts of current methods.
He equally called on businesses, governments, and individuals to incorporate responsible waste management practices into their operations and lifestyles.
The conference equally provided a platform to discuss policy change, consumer behaviour, and innovative approaches to combat incineration and plastic pollution.
This joint initiative underscores the growing recognition of the need for cohesive action against plastic pollution and incineration. Through collective action and knowledge sharing, it is hoped that a new pathway to environmentally responsible, sustainable practices can be paved.
GAYO’s ‘Anti-Incineration and Plastic Pollution Campaign Media Conference’ media conference is a vivid example of what can be achieved when diverse organizations unite behind a common cause. It represents a significant milestone in the global fight against plastic pollution and incineration, inviting us all to partake in creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable earth.
Renowned human rights advocate and journalist, Joseph Kobla Wemakor will be joining a distinguished panel to discuss the ‘State of Human Rights Defenders in Ghana’ via Twitter Space.
The multi-faceted journalist will be pairing up with two other esteemed panelists in the discussion set to enlighten the public about the varying challenges and developments faced by human rights defenders in Ghana.
The anticipated Twitter Space dialog platform, which is scheduled to hold on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at exactly 10.45 a.m. (GMT), will allow him to shed light on the state of human rights advocacy in Ghana while engaging with an online audience.
The discussion will focus on the existing challenges faced by human rights activists in the country, the success stories, and the way forward to ensure the continuous protection of human rights.
Wemakor, an established Ghanaian journalist and a human rights defender, who is recognized internationally, continues to bring to the fore pressing human rights issues in the country.
His immense contribution to human rights activism spans over a decade, incorporating a blend of investigative reporting and grass-root activism. Mr. Wemakor is the founder of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), an NGO committed to ending human rights abuses in Ghana, especially against children and women.
Wemakor’s panelists include two eminent human rights defenders, Rebecca Ekpe, a Media Advocate who also doubles as the Editor-In-Chief of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and Prospera Konkuri, the Programmes Manager at the Gender Center for Empowering Development (GenCED), who have also made significant strides in contributing to the betterment of human rights conditions in Ghana.
Their expertise and insights will feed into a comprehensive and enlightening discussion, tailored to give followers of the event a realistic picture of the country’s human rights landscape.
Such discussions are critical considering Ghana’s chequered human rights record. Though the country is considered one of the more stable democracies in Africa, it still grapples with a number of human rights issues, highlighted by instances of police brutality, gender-based violence, discrimination against vulnerable groups, and clampdowns on freedom of speech and assembly.
The conversation initiated by this Twitter Space, an initiative of Gender Center for Empowering Development (GenCED) and powered by the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network (AfricanDefenders) hopes to foster an understanding and awareness of these issues among Ghanaians and the international community.
It aims to encourage proactive engagement with human rights advocacy, by prompting action from governmental, non-governmental and individual quarters.
For those interested in joining the discussion, can follow the panelists on Twitter @GenCEDgh and set their notifications to receive alerts on the scheduled Twitter Space.
This unique platform will provide Ghanaians at home and abroad, as well as global human rights advocates, a chance to interact directly with Mr. Wemakor and his team.
It will stand as an opportunity to learn from their experiences, while also potentially influencing policy and advocacy strategies for human rights defense in Ghana.
Joseph Wemakor’s commitment to addressing human rights abuses in Ghana seeks to ensure that the country upholds the inherent dignity and equal, inalienable rights of all its citizens. The Twitter Space will no doubt shed light on the human rights situation in the country while promoting the importance of informed advocacy.
In a significant step towards creating public awareness around the persistent issue of domestic violence, celebrated human rights activist Joseph Wemakor was featured as a guest on Jericho TV’s women’s empowerment program.
The program, hosted by the dynamic Matilda Sikapa, serves as an important platform, forwarding the conversation on social issues that impact women.
Wemakor, known for his relentless advocacy for women’s rights, utilized this opportunity to shed light on the menace of domestic violence, an issue that, as he passionately noted, “has been slyly normalized and swept under the rug in our society.” He emphasized the severity of domestic violence, relating it to the broader issue of women’s rights, and passionately advocated against its brutal reality that harms countless women every day.
Joseph Wemakor’s discussion with Matilda Sikapa was candid, enlightening, and grave as he underscored the dominance of violence in homes and attributed it to pervasive societal norms. He particularly pointed to dysfunctional patriarchal societies and misconstrued religious teachings, underscoring that these elements dictate and normalize the submission and maltreatment of women.
During the discussion, Wemakor didn’t just pinpoint the problem; he also suggested possible solutions to confront and curb this endemic issue. He encouraged men and women to be educated about the detrimental effects of domestic violence, urging the implementation of regular orientation programs and utilizing schools, the media, civil society organizations, and religious bodies to achieve that aim.
Wemakor also highlighted the necessity of robust laws and their enforcement to protect victims of domestic violence. He mentioned that legislation should be crafted in such a manner that it serves as a deterrent for potential perpetrators. Additionally, he stressed the requirement for psychological support for the victims, symbolizing the multi-faceted approach required to tackle domestic violence.
Sikapa, the host, reiterated Wemakor’s valid points and expressed her gratitude for Wemakor’s significant contribution in the field of women’s empowerment. She ended the discussion by stating, “Women need to know they are not alone; they have the law and society standing beside them.”
The gravity of the issue of domestic violence is indeed undeniable. The discourse provided by Joseph Wemakor on the platform provided by Jericho TV’s women empowerment program is a welcome step in stirring the community’s conscience and urging for tangible solutions that could safeguard women from the horrors of domestic violence.
Wemakor’s clarion call against domestic violence is an endorsement for substantial societal change. As more and more individuals like him speak up and vow to fight against such adversities, the dawn of a society free from the shackles of domestic violence seems attainable. It serves as a stark reminder that the fight against domestic violence is ours to win as a collective society.
The program also highlighted the significant contribution made by Wemakor and his organization, Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), through their inspiring “KTT Project,” which was chosen as the winner of the “Best International Practice Award on Sustainability” for Ghana, West Africa, at the recent 5th UN Global Entreps Awards, as confirmed by the Secretary-General of Entreps-International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability, Raquel Torres, along with the 1,000 other finalists.
Bullying and harassment on campuses have alarmed educational stakeholders across the globe. In this context, Joseph Wemakor, a representative from Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), discussed this urgent issue on Techiman-based Globe TV via phone interview on Friday July 28, 2023.
His enlightening discussion underscored the gravity of the situation in Ghana, painting a vivid picture of the distressing environment in which many Ghanaian students find themselves.
This comes after a recent video about bullying incidents at Adisadel College was leaked and quickly became popular on social media. A junior student was bullied by a student who claimed to be his senior in the video.
The nefarious act of injustice, which amounts to the flagrant abuse of the victim’s rights, received a huge public condemnation, including from the Ghana Education Service (GES), which initiated disciplinary action against the perpetrator.
Wemakor, a well-respected human rights activist and the Executive Director of HRRG, shed light on the prevalent issue of bullying and harassment in schools.
He called the incident “unfortunate,” strongly denounced it, and demanded that whoever committed the heinous crime be held accountable. He observed that the experiences of countless Ghanaian students had come to be defined by these heinous actions.
The discussion on Globe TV aimed to bring this problem to the forefront, raising awareness and fostering the national debate on solutions.
Wemakor emphasized that bullying and harassment, in their many forms, can have devastating impacts on students. These acts not only affect the victim’s physical well-being but can also have severe psychological implications according to a report by UNICEF. Some of the aftereffects include anxiety, depression, and a lack of self-confidence, which can further impact their academic performances and social lives.
The guest speaker also drew attention to the fact that some instances of bullying escalate to physical violence. This kind of bullying can involve attacks on a student due to their appearance, race, or religion. It’s a grim violation of the victim’s human rights and dignity, which can lead to long-term trauma.
Wemakor encouraged institutions and educators to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying. He emphasized the need for training educators to identify signs of bullying and implement preventative measures, stressing that schools should be a safe haven for students to pursue their education without fear.
HRRG’s representative suggested the need for robust mechanisms to report and deal with cases of bullying and harassment. He outlined that students should have the ability to report instances of bullying without fear of retribution. Anonymously reported incidents should be thoroughly investigated and resolved promptly, ensuring the students’ safety.
Moreover, Wemakor also discussed the importance of engaging parents in the fight against bullying. He noted that parents should actively participate in their children’s life, listening carefully to their experiences at school and giving them the mental support, they may need to tackle these issues.
The HRRG Executive Director had the chance to discuss the recent honor bestowed on him and his organization by Raquel Torres, Secretary-General of Entreps-International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability, along with the 1,000 Global Jurors of Entreps in collaboration with the United Nations in Costa Rica, before the compelling interview on “Y3 SENE S3N” with the morning show with Kojo Nsaah-Kwao, a.k.a. “The General” (
The HRRG won the prestigious 5th UN Global Entrepreneurs Awards for its captivating “Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on Kidnapping, Teenage Pregnancy, and Tramadol/Drug Abuse” (KTT Project), which was named the “Best International Practice Award on Sustainability,” according to the delighted CEO.
The intervention of HRRG via this platform is a critical step in catalyzing change. The discussion prompted the public to continue the conversation on bullying and actively engage in finding solutions. Wemakor’s contribution has, no doubt, set an important precedent in the ongoing fight to eliminate school bullying in Ghana and beyond.
The HRRG’s boss discussion on Globe TV is a commendable step forward for human rights in Ghana. It illuminates the prevalent issue of bullying and harassment in Ghanaian schools and offers tangible guidance on measures that can be implemented to combat it.
The commitment of figures like Wemakor and organizations like HRRG is instrumental in protecting and promoting the rights of Ghanaian students and serves as a model for collective efforts against bullying worldwide.
Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), a dynamic Ghanaian media and human rights advocacy non-governmental organization has been adjudged winner of the 5th UN Global Entreps Awards by the Secretary-General of Entreps-International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability, Raquel Torres backed by the 1,000 Global Jurors of Entreps in partnership with the UN75 effective July 15, 2023.
HRRG clinched the prestigious accolade through its compelling Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on Kidnapping, Teenage Pregnancy and Tramadol/Drug Abuse (‘KTT Project’) declared as the ‘Best International Practice Award on Sustainability’.
The award conferred on the Human Rights Reporters Ghana and its founder Joseph Kobla Wemakor was confirmed in San Jose, capital of Costa Rica (Central America) by the Raquel Torres, Secretary-General of Entreps-International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability strongly supported by the 1,000 Global Jurors of Entreps in collaboration with the UN75.
The laudable initiative was chosen out of 1,912 projects and enterprises from 126 countries shortlisted as better implementers of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, so far, in each geographical area of the world through a rigorous, long-standing global contest assessment spanning two years period.
This follows its being shortlisted in November 2020 to compete in the final round of the 5th edition of the prestigious Global Entreps Awards through the assessment of the Award Chairman, Joaquin V. Boston with backing of the 1,000 members of the Global Jury from 126 countries.
The Global Jurors are committed diplomats, public figures, associations, researchers and influential citizens working towards sustainability and governance.
The Global Entreps Awards honor individuals, outstanding initiatives, successful policies, institutions, start-ups, and other entities from all over the world, provided they are created and grow sustainably in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
The Global #EntrepsAwards, like the ‘Oscar Awards’ to Sustainability, reward the best practices worldwide giving birth, promoting and/or implementing any of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a sustainable business or industry, breakthrough digital solutions respectful Nature and human beings, good governance and engaged citizenship as well as entrepreneurship and Science respectful to Nature and human beings.
There are all 30 awards, 30 different chapters for 126 countries, 17 of which are entirely devoted to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The KTT Project focused on addressing the issues of kidnapping, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse but equally set about creating a deeper education on human rights to bring about cultural change.
In response to the increasing incidents of kidnappings in Ghana in 2019, the Human Rights Reporters Ghana led by its founder and executive director, Joseph Kobla Wemakor launched the ‘saviour’ KTT Project to raise awareness of three key issues: kidnapping, teenage pregnancies, and tramadol/drug abuse.
The intervention seeks to complement government’s effort to end the country’s rising abductions including protecting lives and promotion of human rights
Since the roll out of the program in July 2019, the campaign team managed to reach over 60,000 beneficiaries particularly schoolchildren, parents and youth groups in the communities and religious settings within three regions of Ghana.
The positive feedback received barely a year after staging the compelling campaign demonstrated the success of the initiative in saving lives and contributing significantly towards the advancement of the SDGs.
It also inspired the HRRG team of passionate volunteers to go above and beyond to expand the campaign to include all 16 regions of Ghana.
The group’s dedication towards its activism laurels in helping address issues of human rights abuses in Ghana and beyond has received wide commendation from various individuals, organizations and institutions both within and outside Ghana.
It equally paved the way for it to be nominated among the ten (10) organizations from across Africa that were named finalists for the 2020 Africans Rising Activism Award in the category of Movement of the Year. Surprisingly, HRRG, which finished the competition in fourth place, was the only advocacy group representing Ghana to be nominated for the notable award.
Human Rights Reporters Ghana is an initiative of young Ghanaian journalists, editors, lawyers and human rights activists who have come together to address human rights violations in Ghana to bring the country closer to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.
The vibrant organization focuses on the defense, advancement, and fulfillment of human rights is based in Ghana but has a global reach.
HRRG has hence affirmed the relevance of their work in enhancing human rights awareness and education, which align perfectly with the global sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Entreps Chairman, Joaquin Boston who was enthused about the success of the ‘KTT Project including other campaigns of the HRRG in acknowledgement established: “Our team supports this kind of practices and also recognizes the fine results”.
HRRG’s ED, Joseph Kobla Wemakor in his appreciation of the prestigious honor observed that the award recognizes the significant strides the NGO has made towards advancing societal safety and combating international crimes.
He averred that the award is a testament to their dedicated team who are passionate about uprooting societal menaces and believes this accolade will only spur them to further their benevolent pursuits.
He added that: “for HRRG to be acknowledged by the 1,000 Global Jurors of Entreps, Joaquin Boston, the Chairman of Entreps and its Secretary-General, Raquel Torres in collaboration with the United Nations as an awardee from Ghana, West Africa to receive the revered global honor is a noteworthy accomplishment confirming Ghana’s position in global sustainable practice and setting precedence for other NGOs and stakeholders in the region to emulate”.
Wemakor was thankful to the United for Human Rights (UHR), a US-based non-profit organization for supporting the HRRG project team through donation of “the story of human rights” booklets which aided it in facilitating education on human rights during the campaign period.
For his part, Wisdom Eli Kojo Hammond, the KTT Project Coordinator at HRRG was palpably proud of the project’s success: “It feels amazing to see our work recognized globally. But the real victory is witnessing the change and progress these communities make as a result of our constant efforts,” he stated.
He also expressed immense gratitude towards the recognition and support from the Global Entreps Awards, and affirmed HRRG’s determination to continually push the boundaries and achieve greater milestones in the future.
“It’s a testament to the dedication and diligence of our team to promote human rights awareness and protection in Ghana”.
Despite the recognition and achievements, the KTT coordinator emphasized that the battle against human rights abuse is continuous and encouraged everyone to join in the efforts to safeguard human rights, pledging that HRRG would remain resolute in its mission.
As Ghana commits to the global objectives of sustainable peace and development, such initiatives contribute towards a safer and more progressive society.
The honor from the Global Entreps Awards demonstrates the international recognition and support for the substantial steps Ghana and, specifically, the HRRG are taking towards sustainable change. This will consequently influence more stakeholders and governments to invest in preventive strategies over retributive actions while dealing with social issues.
This 5th edition, along with the 5Gcitizens International Congress, was launched in partnership with the United Nations (celebrating its 75th Anniversary) and in collaboration with other main organizations in the world such as the European Union.
Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations, opened the final round of the Global Entreps Awards competition on the 25th of September 2020 at the General Assembly of the United Nations UNGA75
Among others, the UNDP @SDGAction Africa via its Deputy Secretary-General of the UN Amina Mohammed, the Director-General of the Joint Research Center JRC – European Commission- Stephen Quest, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University and several Entreps Global Jurors as well as Suad Galow, Vera Baboun, Markku Markkula, Simona Chamiska, Thakur S. Powdyel, Kohei Kurihara or Foluke Michael, gave speeches in our kick-off event at the UNGA75, as well.
Entreps, the International Board of Global Actors and Business for Sustainability is a global multi-stakeholder organisation working towards sustainability and good governance.
The organization rewards successful initiatives that raise awareness and are sustainable. Entreps was established on June 26, 2010.
Some previous awardees are: the Circular Economy Package (European Commission), the Peace Agreement with the FARC in Colombia to re-Develop the Cauca´s Valley, Airbnb, Watify Boosting Technological Transformation (DG Grow), Roja Fazaeli (Trinity College Dublin), and the ERRIN European Regions Research and Innovation Network.
Others are the Reef Systems Research Group on Micro-plastics at the Leibniz University (Centre for Tropical Marine), the Secondary Towns and Rural Community-Based Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Sri Lanka (ADB), Jolly Kamuntu (Women’s Rights Activist in Africa), the UNODC Programme to Protect Big Cats, Nobel Grid, FinTech Innovation Lab Dublin, and Prof. Josh Lerner (Harvard Business).
Living without a toilet facility at home can be a harrowing experience for anyone, but for a 15-year-old patient who lives at Gbegbeyise, it is a daily nightmare.
The lack of basic sanitation facilities has made life unbearable for the teenager, who struggles to cope with the disease and the lack of access to a clean toilet.
In the Ablekuma West Municipality of the Greater Accra region, precisely situated under Shaibu-Gbegbeyise sub-district close to Dansoman, is the densely populated community of Gbegbeyise. Here, access to necessities like potable water, electricity, and toilet facilities is a luxury.
The majority of the people who live in Gbegbeyise are Christians, with a small number of Muslims and traditional believers. They rely on small-scale fishing and petty trading as their source of livelihood and local income generation.
55318 people were living in Shaibu-Gbegbeyise sub-district as of May 2023, according to annual population data for 2023 that the Ghana Statistical Service made available to the Ablekuma West Municipal Health Directorate.
Unfortunately, Gbegbeyise can’t claim to have a single hospital to care for its own in times of illness. Residents claim that the only medical facility in the area has been closed because every time it rains, the clinic also floods.
The residents have no choice but to seek medical care in the neighbouring communities, such as at Dansoman Polyclinic or Korle Bu Hospital, which are both about a 25-minutes’ drive away.
Typhoid fever is the most common infectious disease, and according to clinical data on cases of infectious diseases recorded in the Ablekuma Municipal Health Directorate, the Shaibu-Gbegbeyise sub-district is in the lead with a record of 1,633 cases out of 2,525 cases recorded only for 2023, which runs from January to May. Upper respiratory infections and diarrhoea diseases come next.
According to a study conducted by WaterAid Ghana, only 22% of Ghanaians have access to basic sanitation facilities, while 48% have access to clean water.
The lack of proper sanitation facilities has led to an increase in waterborne diseases like typhoid fever, cholera, and diarrhoea.
15-year-old girl with reporter Joseph Wemakor
The 15-year-old girl who suffered and later recovered from clutches of typhoid fever, Abena (not her real name) who wants to remain anonymous, narrated her ordeal to me during a visit to her home.
She lives with her grandparents and four siblings in a small, crowded room where they all sleep and cook.
The absence of a toilet facility means that they have to use a nearby bush as a toilet, which exposes them to the risk of contracting diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid fever.
“The lack of a proper toilet facility has made my life difficult,” she said. “I have to crawl into the bush to defecate, which is not only degrading but also poses a great risk to my health, especially now that I am suffering from typhoid fever.”
The lack of proper toilet facilities is not unique to the teenager’s community. It is a widespread problem in Ghana, where 10% of the population practice open defecation.
Open defecation is the practice of defecating in open spaces like bushes, fields, or bodies of water. The practice is not only unhygienic but also poses a great risk to public health.
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhoea, high fever, and abdominal pain. The disease is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, which is found in contaminated food and water.
The bacteria multiply in the intestinal tract and can spread to the bloodstream. It is transmitted from person to person through the faecal-oral route where an infected or asymptomatic individual (who does not exhibit symptoms) with poor hand or body hygiene passes the infection to another person when handling food and water.
The lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities puts individuals at risk of contracting the disease.
Paratyphoid fever, a similar illness, is caused by Salmonella enterica paratyphi A, B, and C.
Usually, symptoms appear 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to the bacteria. Depending on the virulence of the infection symptoms can range from mild to severe.
The illness is characterized by extreme fatigue and increasing fever. Other symptoms include headache, lack of appetite, malaise, and an enlarged liver. Sometimes patients have diarrhoea, constipation, or a rash on their trunk.
Severe symptoms may appear 2 to 3 weeks after onset of the illness and may include intestinal haemorrhage or perforation.
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever remain a global public health burden, yet annual estimates of prevalence vary. Estimates have ranged between 9.9 and 24.2 million cases annually.
Similar differences in estimates are seen within countries but point to a serious health challenge. In Ghana, for instance, typhoid fever has been ranked among the top twenty causes of outpatient morbidity and constituted 1.2%, 1.7% and 1.3% of hospital admissions in 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), typhoid fever is a major public health concern in developing countries, where access to clean water and sanitation facilities is limited.
The disease affects about 21.5 million people worldwide and causes around 200,000 deaths annually.
Abena’s illness was a harrowing experience for her and her family. She had to be hospitalized for two weeks and placed on a course of antibiotics.
While in hospital, the girl missed several weeks of school, and her grades suffered as a result.
The teenager’s grandfather, who is the breadwinner of the family, expressed his concern about the lack of basic amenities in their community.
“We have been living without proper toilet facilities for years,” he said.
“We have to rely on the bush and sometimes resort to using the beach as a place of convenience as nature calls which is not only unsanitary but also poses a great risk to our health. We need help to get a proper toilet facility.”
St Martin’s Memorial Hospital located at Dansoman Beach Road community is a destination to many patients who suffer from various diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, malaria among others who visits regularly and daily to seek for medical treatment or cure.
The hospital, which is located in the Dansoman Beach Road neighbourhood, also serves ten (10) other nearby communities, including Gbegbeyise, Glefe, Atomic, Transformer, Agege, Karikari, Pambrose, Chorkor, Mpoase, and Korlebu, which are all included in the 4 sub-districts of the Ablekuma West Municipal of the Greater Accra Region.
In May 2023, Abena fell ill and was diagnosed with typhoid fever at Saint Martin’s Memorial Hospital. The girl’s doctor attributed her illness to the unsanitary living conditions in her community.
According to the doctor, typhoid fever is prevalent in areas with poor sanitation, a lack of clean water, and where open defecation is a common practice.
This practice not only poses a health risk to the family, but it is also a violation of their dignity and privacy.
Ms. Nadia Kafui Bokordedzi, the hospital administrator, revealed in an interview that among the list of cases reported daily at the hospital’s out-patient department, typhoid fever tops the list as a leading disease, followed by malaria, hypertension, ulcers, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, and sepsis, among others.
Reacting to Abena’s unfortunate situation, she averred that in many communities within the catchment of the Shaibu-Gbegbeyise sub-district where open defecation is a common practice, girls and women are particularly vulnerable to harassment and assault while using the bush or seashore as a toilet.
She further noted that a lack of proper sanitation facilities has a significant impact on education and economic opportunities, and girls, in particular, are dropping out of school in high proportions due to the lack of privacy and hygiene facilities.
Grace Arboah, a public health nurse manning the hospital who shared her experience, observed that most clients who visit the hospital first complain about headaches, including a feeling of feverishness, and end up attributing the cause to malaria while even waiting to be diagnosed by a medical doctor.
“I think I’m suffering from malaria even when I’m done taking the malaria course”.
“So, you have to tell the person that it is not only malaria that can cause headaches or fever but other health conditions like typhoid fever, diarrhea diseases and others”.
“So, after the test, you tell the patient that this and that is the outcome, and if the patient needs to be hospitalized, then the person is, but if he or she can go home, be put on medication, and be taught how to take the medications and how to prevent the recurrent infections”, she further explained.
Touching on the risk factors, she lamented the lack of access to basic amenities like clean water, toilet facilities, poor sanitation and hygiene practices, as well as overcrowding and inadequate housing, which are contributory factors putting many lives at risk of getting infectious diseases like typhoid fever, diarrhea, and others.
“Look at this community; if you take 10 houses, maybe just one out of them has washroom facilities; therefore, most of them do it in an open area or they go to the pit latrine or the seashore.
So having a place of convenience here is a problem. Also, how they prepare their meals, what goes into cooking, and all others, coupled with choked gutters here and there, as well as education on food hygiene, are poor here, so it could be a factor”. She revealed.
She therefore advised the community folks to always endeavour to drink purified water (boiled or untampered bottled water) and only eat well cooked foods.
Ms. Arboah also warned them to desist from the habit of open defecation and always ensure to patronize clean washroom facilities as places of convenience.
In addition, she called for proper protocols on handwashing and personal hygiene to be strictly adhered to at all times by all and sundry in the communities.
While advocating for the hands of government in the matter to ensure landlords and landladies comply with the law and are meant to put up toilet facilities in their homes before renting them out to the public, she equally called for education on issues of proper hygiene practices to be intensified in the communities in order to put an end to the health issues.
Elohim Aquah, a 25-year-old resident of the Dansoman Beach Road community, raised similar concerns pertaining to the lack of washroom facilities within various homes in the area.
According to him, the rented apartment that housed him and twenty-eight (28) others cannot boast of a toilet facility to aid them in attending to nature calls at night, so they are forced to defecate in black polythene bags, mix it up with urine, and dump it into gutters in the community.
Dansoman Beach Road is one of the densely populated communities situated right under the Shaibu-Gbegbeyise sub-district of the Ablekuma West Municipal. The community, which is situated close to the coast, has resorted to using the beach as a place of convenience when nature calls.
Wanton “packaging” of human excreta in black polythene bags and dumping them into gutters and drainage outlets within the community has become a habit.
Public restrooms in the neighbourhood charge GHS 1.00 (US$ 0.088) per toilet, and the same amount is charged for bathing.
Martha Otoo, a 35-year-old mother of three who also lives in the same neighbourhood but whose home lacks a toilet facility, expressed her frustration and described how difficult it was to walk to a nearby public restroom to relieve herself, adding, “You can imagine if nature should call me at night.”
She claimed that since she cannot afford to pay for a public toilet facility for each of her children due to the cost involved, the only option for her kids is to defecate outside, close to the coast.
There is a serious problem with open defecation in Ghana, where an additional 16 million people use unhygienic restrooms and an average of 4.8 million people do not have access to latrines.
The high rise in infectious disease cases in the municipality, particularly in the Shaibu-Gbegbeyise sub-district, has Dr. Edwina Appiah, Municipal Health Director at the Ablekuma West Health Directorate, concerned.
She thinks that in order for things to improve, citizens must support the efforts of the government and other health stakeholders. They can do this by following the health protocols, which include cleaning up their surroundings regularly and maintaining proper hygiene standards in order to address sanitation issues.
She asked, “Where does the filth come from? I believe it’ll take you and me if we all play our parts in cleaning our frontages”
“We will all be each other’s keeper because you won’t sit back and allow your colleague to pollute or dirty your environment; as a result, everyone should play their roles, including the residents of the communities, district environmental officers, civil society organizations, and the government, including everyone and their brother, to help deal with the sanitation issues.”, she hinted.
Dr. Edwina Appiah
Dr. Appiah noted that the district’s environmental health officer has been up to the task of dealing with the situation, visiting most of the communities and helping with the desilting of drains to prepare for the rainy season in anticipation of the district’s outbreak of cholera and other infectious diseases through the implementation of the “operation clean your frontage of filth, an initiative which form part of the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project”.
She added they have also been in charge of certifying food vendors in schools in order to help enforce the sanitation bye-laws to stop the spread of infectious diseases within the communities.
Living without a toilet at home is a basic need that can be taken for granted in many developed countries. However, for many people around the world, this is a reality that they face every day.
The lack of proper sanitation facilities can pose serious health risks and make life incredibly challenging.
The rise in typhoid fever cases in Ghana can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, poor sanitation practices have contributed to the spread of the disease.
Many Ghanaians do not have access to clean water or adequate sanitation facilities, exposing them to the risk of infection. Additionally, improper food handling practices, such as eating from unclean food vendors, have also contributed to the spread of the disease.
Moreover, the overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of typhoid fever bacteria, which makes treatment more challenging. This is compounded by the lack of adequate diagnostic facilities in many parts of Ghana, which makes it difficult to detect and treat the disease promptly.
Improving sanitation facilities is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and local communities must work together to provide people with access to clean water, proper hygiene, and sanitation facilities. This can include building public toilets, providing sanitation education, and improving access to clean water.
Moreover, communities can work together to change the social norms around toilet usage. In some communities, open defecation is a cultural practice that has been passed down through generations. Changing these norms requires a concerted effort from community leaders and members to shift attitudes towards proper sanitation and hygiene.
To combat the rise of typhoid fever cases in Ghana, several measures can be taken. Firstly, there is a need for the government to improve sanitation facilities and provide access to clean water in slum areas. The provision of adequate sanitation facilities and clean water will go a long way in reducing the spread of the disease.
Secondly, there is a need for public education on proper food-handling practices and the symptoms of typhoid fever. This will create awareness amongst Ghanaians on the importance of hygiene and proper sanitation practices.
Lastly, the Ghana Health Service should invest in diagnostic facilities and develop a protocol for the effective treatment of the disease. This will help in the prompt detection and treatment of typhoid fever cases in Ghana.
In conclusion, typhoid fever remains a significant public health concern in Ghana, with the number of confirmed cases projected to increase in the coming years.
The Ghanaian government needs to prioritize sanitation by increasing funding, education, and awareness to ensure that all Ghanaians have access to basic amenities like clean water and sanitation facilities.
Urgent measures need to be taken to mitigate its spread, including improving sanitation facilities and public education on proper hygiene practices. By working together, we can help reduce the prevalence of typhoid fever in Ghana.
This report was made possible thanks to funding from the National Research Foundation of South Africa and technical assistance from the Centre for Science and Health Communication (CSHC).
Source: Joseph Kobla Wemakor
The writer is a health journalist/advocate, National SDGs Champion and Founder/Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG).
The Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Joseph Wemakor, recently discussed the issue of domestic violence and spousal killings in Ghana in an interview on the “Y3 SENE S3N” morning show with the host, Kojo Nsaah-Kwao, popularly known as “The General,” on the Techiman-based Globe TV.
Wemakor talked about the prevalence of domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, in Ghana and the need for authorities to prioritize protecting victims during the interview, which was conducted via Zoom on Thursday, June 15, 2023.
He pointed out that many spousal abuse victims are reluctant to come forward and report the abuse due to a fear of reprisals from their abusers.
The HRRG’s boss equally addressed the alarming trend of killings in Ghana, particularly those of women, and emphasized the necessity for authorities to take action to put a stop to these incidents and bring the offenders to justice.
In response to the question of whether Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act 2007 (Act 732) is fully operational or deficient, he insisted that it is up to the task, but he blamed the Ghana Police Service for not enforcing the law, an action that is impeding the country’s efforts to combat domestic violence.
“I believe the Domestic Violence Act is in effect, but the officers in charge of that department are not on the job.
“They use their own judgment to resolve any problems that are improperly reported to them. You’ll be shocked to learn that the police often tell the abused woman that the reason her husband is mistreating her is due to her character when she goes to the police station to file a complaint”, he said.
Additionally, he lamented the practice of a culture of silence impeding efforts where family members, including religious or faith leaders, particularly pastors of the abused person, will advise him or her to go back into the abusive home to try and secure the marriage at all costs due to embarrassment, knowing full well the danger.
He called for the men in the uniforms to be adequately trained and informed about how to deal with domestic violence issues in the nation in order to be better positioned to support survivors and also help address the issues.
In order to ensure that the public is informed and aware of the issues in order to overcome them, he also called for national sensitization on domestic violence issues.
He also called on Ghanaian society to work towards changing attitudes towards violence against women and children.
In his conclusion, Wemakor emphasized the importance of providing psychological counseling to children who live in abusive households as a means of addressing the country’s rising domestic violence cases, adding that “it is these children who grow up and also perpetrate acts of violence against their partners in abusive households.”
Domestic abuse, also called “domestic violence” or “intimate partner violence”, can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.
Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. It can occur in a range of relationships, including those between couples who are married, living together, or dating.
The issue of domestic violence is not unique to Ghana. However, it is a problem that impacts communities all over the world. In some cases, cultural beliefs, societal pressure, and economic hardships can prevent victims from seeking help, leading to prolonged abuse, trauma, and in some cases, death.
The Ghana Police Service’s Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) has statistics that show 305 women were raped and 1,047 girls were defiled in 2020. This is a troubling trend that requires immediate attention.
To address this, various significant initiatives have been taken in some countries around the world, such as establishing national hotlines and safe houses, providing legal services, and counseling to victims.
However, there is still much more that can be done, especially in parts of the world where domestic violence is still seen as a private matter that should not involve the police or other authorities.
It is crucial to give victims control, make sure they are aware of their rights, and enable them to ask for assistance without being afraid of being punished by the abusers. It is also essential that those responsible for such violence be brought to justice in accordance with the needs of the victims.
Domestic abuse and violence against partners are still major problems in Ghana and around the world. Communities must continue to be on the lookout for vulnerable people and fight for their rights, especially for those who have survived these assaults. To ensure that those responsible for such heinous crimes face the full weight of the law, we must unite.
Watch the interview here:
Source:humanrightsreporters.com
Posted on
The founder and executive director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Mr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, has spoken out against the mistreatment of cocoa farmers in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, calling it a depressing situation.
Mr. Wemakor highlighted the upsetting results of recent research by Oxfam in an interview with an American television journalist who serves as a senior presenter for the Newsmakers show on TRT World in Istanbul.
The study revealed that despite being the leading cocoa producers globally, Ghana and Ivory Coast collectively receive a mere $4.5 billion out of the industry’s massive $130 billion in revenue.
Mr. Wemakor emphasized that this act of injustice has not received the attention it deserves to instigate meaningful change.
He stated, “Sadly, this is affecting the poor farmers who sustain us. It’s disheartening… HRRG recognizes the urgency of championing this issue and ensuring that justice is served through intensified advocacy efforts.”
Mr. Wemakor also bemoaned the lack of government assistance, saying that this was a problem that needed to be addressed in order to alleviate the situation facing the cocoa farmers.
He further highlighted the detrimental impact of illegal mining on the cocoa industry, whereby cocoa farms are converted into illegal mining sites, hindering the sector’s growth.
During the show, Mr. Uwe Gneiting, a senior researcher at Oxfam Ghana, expressed optimism that the challenges faced by cocoa farmers today could be resolved if chocolate processing companies showed willingness to tackle them.
He emphasized the necessity of finding strategies to allocate more resources to farmers, including implementing higher pricing, in order to sustain the chocolate sector.
On the other hand, Mr. Elikem Kotoko, a Ghanaian activist, blamed the government for exploiting cocoa farmers.
He pointed out the lack of deliberate commitment on the government’s part to protect farmers from exploitation and called for the government to enforce strict rules aimed at safeguarding the rights of cocoa farmers against heinous exploitation by large corporations.
Uwe Gneiting, a senior researcher at Oxfam America’s Private Sector Department has found that the current era is the most advantageous to address the long-standing issue of the heinous exploitation of Ghanaian cocoa farmers by the major businesses that control the cocoa supply chain.
On Thursday, June 1, 2023, he revealed this in a skype interview with Andrea Sanke, the host of TRT World’s premier news program “The Newsmakers,” about “Ghana Cocoa Farmers Exploitation.”
Even though the issue is not new, Uwe is optimistic that it can be resolved given the commitment of all sector players, especially the companies involved.
I think it’s really more question of will than of ability and currently we simply don’t see enough will especially on the side of the companies to address some of those really greatest grievances”, he indicated
Uwe, who is also the author of an Oxfam report on the plight of cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast, identified poverty as the root of many sustainability problems plaguing the cocoa industry.
He urged businesses to provide living wages to the farmers in order to lift them out of their low standard of living.
In addition to offering a solution to the issue, the senior researcher for Oxfam urged businesses to reconsider their relationships with governments and their roles within them in order to help governments more effectively carry out their duties both in Ghana and elsewhere.
He emphasized the necessity of transparency in the industry and suggested strategies to shift more resources to farmers through higher prices, cash transfers, or other approaches that are hardly seen as a permanent fix.
One of Ghana’s most significant industries and a major contributor to the national economy is the cocoa sector. With about 800,000 cocoa farmers, Ghana is the second-largest producer of cocoa in the world. The heinous exploitation of Ghanaian cocoa farmers by large corporations, which is supported by the government, poses a serious threat to the livelihoods of cocoa farmers, despite the industry’s importance.
Large corporations pay extremely low prices for cocoa beans from Ghanaian farmers, paying them a tiny portion of what they should be paid. Since they have no other buyers, cocoa farmers are powerless to negotiate and are forced to accept the low prices set by these businesses. To make matters worse, Ghanaian cocoa farmers only receive a portion of their earnings, with the remainder going to these corporations, and are not paid in cash but rather in kind.
According to a study by Oxfam, more than 400 cocoa farmers in Ghana claim that since 2020, their net income has decreased by an average of 16%. Revenue for women has decreased by almost 22%.
The report highlights the inequality in the chocolate industry, with farmers receiving only a small fraction of the profits. Oxfam is calling for fairer trade practices and for companies to ensure that their supply chains are not contributing to poverty and exploitation.
The report also highlights the need for fair trade policies and practices to ensure that small-scale farmers and workers receive a fair share of the value they create, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Without such measures, inequality and poverty will continue to persist in the global supply chains of commodities like cocoa, coffee, and tea.
Following their exposure to the documentary film “Facing the cocoa industry’s bittersweet truth,” two other panelists, activist Elikem Kotoko and Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), expressed concern about the plight of Ghanaian and Ivorian cocoa farmers and lamented the harsh realities of their on-the-ground exploitation. The video summarizes the conclusions of the Uwe Gneiting-authored Oxfam report.
“I think it is very sad to say the least in the first place. I felt very ashamed as Ghanaian that having gained independence and have governments in place at this time and this is the quagmire our farmers are going through to think that out of 130 billion dollars only about 2 billion is actually gained by Ghana from that then we are better of reverting to the time of late Former President Kwame Nkrumah when he decided to actually burn the cocoa beans at the port to send a certain signal and to cause some changes. But we have passed that time”, said Elikem Kotoko
Elikem believes that the ‘abysmal’ exploitation of cocoa farmers must end and that it is now time for the farmers to be hungry enough to keep demanding what is rightfully theirs, which the companies have denied them with the assistance of the government.
For his part, the Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) Joseph Kobla Wemakor maintained that it has not been easy exposing injustices of the industry simply because the authorities sometimes do not appreciate how these exploitations have been exposed.
While commending Oxfam for producing a quality report which reflects the woes of cocoa farmers and exploitation by large corporations on the ground, he called on the Ghanaian media to heighten coverage on the issues in order to provoke the needed attention of the authorities to act and protect the rights of the farmers against further exploitation.
He pledges his outfit’s support to scale up reportage on the issue towards achieving the desired results with the aim of bringing about change in the lives of the cocoa farmers.
TRT World is Turkey’s first international English-language news network, offering in-depth reporting with a focus on global responsibility. Headquartered in Istanbul with bureaus around the world, the TRT world operates a satellite presence in 190 countries and viewership of 260 million people, and more.
Its flagship current affairs program, The Newsmakers features in-depth reports and interviews with the drivers of the biggest stories of the week.
The news team goes to the heart of every issue, offering debates, context and commentary that disrupt conventional perspectives on international affairs.
Through the support of the host Andrea Sanke, the news team generate discussion, drive the news agenda and demand accountability from people in power.
The Newsmakers is an honest and relevant take on events that impact people around the world, and challenges the status quo.
Human Rights Reporters Ghana is an initiative of young Ghanaian journalists, editors, lawyers and human rights activists who have come together to address human rights violations in Ghana to bring the country closer to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.
