Photos by: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey

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The post Mama’s Day of honour appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The women who attended were moved to tears when Madam Harriet Naa Akley Okanteh aka Ante B of “Efiewura fame”, and Madam Mavis Yeboah, aka Maame Djanwaa of “cow and chicken fame”, both actresses, gave an emotional presentation about the plight of single mothers in slums and marginalized communities.

They stressed that many children are out of school because single mothers cannot afford to pay their ward’s school fees and provide their daily bread.

Mr. Philip Okang-Mensah Adjei, a Lecturer with Pentecost University College’s Department of Information Technology, and a youth leader with Paolo Mohenu Presbyterian Church, Aboma-Teshie, gave a compelling talk on the need to inspire hope in otherwise hopeless situations and make the world a better place for all.

It was a talk that resonated powerfully with the mostly single mothers audience, judging from the responses afterwards.

Rev. Kingsley Asante, General Overseer of the Shepherd Congregation International, spoke, among other things, on the importance of women and the place of women in the society.

For Nana Ama Asantewaa Kwarkoh, CEO of the humanitarian organization, she said the group is a not-for-profit organization, which is focused on creating social developmental awareness on issues that concern women and children.

She said the group is focused on charity works, training, mentoring, educating and building the capacity of women and creating a listening space for children in marginalized areas.

“Women face discrimination that limits their options especially in marginalised areas, therefore it is the ultimate priority of our noble organization to improve millions of lives of women through evidence-based programs that focus on expanding women’s economic opportunities, increasing women’s rights and security” she reiterated.

The atmosphere was also brightened by Madam Mavis Owusu Afriyie and Miss Belinda Asiedu, who empowered the single mothers through soft skills like pomade making, beads making, soap making among others, to improve their livelihood.

Citations of honour were given to high profile personalities who had showed unwavering commitment to the needy in the society, and excelled in their various fields of endeavours on behalf of the organization by Miss Afua Foriwaa Boafo, financial controller of the group.

For many of the organization’s members, it was an occasion when they came face-to-face with the realities of the current mass suffering in the country, especially among women and girls in impoverished communities.

It was a time to be empowered and motivated for action they said.

The colourful event also featured free medical screening, gift items, free food, free clothing, and free drinks among others.

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By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Modern Women of Wisdom Int. celebrates single mothers on Mother’s Day appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The alliance in a statement to mark Mothers’ Day called for the establishing of free day care centres at markets to ease the pressure on kayayei and teen mothers in need.

It also urged government to extend the school feeding to cater for them.

The AWMA in the statement decried the plight of Kayayeis, also known as head porters, and their “often malnourished children” who are exposed to harsh conditions whilst with their working mothers.

The alliance noted that “free day care and feeding facilities for these child mothers will ease their burden and provide a safe haven for their babies. Whilst we wait for a workable policy to deal with the kayayei situation and teenage pregnancy in general.

“If Ghana is to eradicate maternal and under-five mortality, these interventions are critical,” the statement noted further.

Find below the full statement

Build day care centres at markets  and make it free for teen mothers and extend school feeding to same:

The Alliance for Women in Media Africa, (AWMA), will like to use the occasion of Mothers day to highlight the plight of teenage mothers especially those without support who are struggling.

The situation of the kaayayeis (head porters) is most deplorable. They often have to carry huge loads whilst carrying their often malnourished children. For several hours in the day these babies and toddlers are exposed to the vagaries of extreme weather.

Free day care and feeding facilities for these child mothers will ease their burden and provide a safe haven for their babies. Whilst we wait for a workable policy to deal with the kayayei situation and teenage pregnancy in general.

If Ghana is to eradicate maternal and under-five mortality, these interventions are critical.

We will also like to say congratulations to all mothers for the sacrifices they make and continue to make to raise the nation.

signed:

Shamima Muslim Alhassan.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Build free daycare centers in markets for ‘kayayei’ kids – Women in Media appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The last couple of years has seen Citi FM mark Mother’s Day with the ‘Cook for Mama’ competition and the ‘Mother’s Day Treat’.

The dinner tonight, will feature some live performances as the guests make their way through a three-course buffet.

There will also be a lucky dip where participants stand to win some prizes.

Other activities lined up for the Family month of May include two more Family Breakfast Table events on family finance and a men’s only event, along with the “family day out” fun fair on May 25.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Citi FM’s ‘Mama’s Day of Honour’ dinner comes off tonight appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This was my daily phone call routine few weeks after having my first child some three years ago. Aside the fact that it was baffling for me to explain to my fellow women why I couldn’t have a natural birth, I found it a bit weird and hypocritical for those people who called to give me lectures on why having my babies via cesarean meant I wasn’t a “true mother”.

At weighing, ‘cesarean mothers’ were tagged as the weaker ones so we were even offered help with carrying your own babies!

Personally, I even amaze myself with what I am able to do considering the fact that I have had two major surgeries back to back.

However, I believe every woman’s body reacts differently to certain things, especially when it comes to bringing another human being into this world. I am of the view that when it comes to childbirth, what is good for the goose is NOT always good for the gander.

When I got pregnant, I read up a lot, so much so that during my prenatal visits, my doctor always said I made his work easier; as a result, I had an open mind concerning how I wanted to deliver.

Inasmuch as my mother and other older women close to me expected me to have a natural birth, I was really indifferent but I dared not tell them I wasn’t really keen on the ‘how’. What mattered was to have my baby in my arms.

I remember my mother praying against me going under the knife because of stories she had heard about mothers dying and leaving their children. But God came through for us.

For my second child, my obstetrician advised I do another to prevent the risk of a uterine rupture.

Please and please, strong vagina women, cut us some slack!

As women, society expects so much from us: from getting married at a certain age to being pregnant and even how you deliver.

It’s about time we gave women a break. Pregnancy is not a walk in the park and the last thing any woman wants to hear is a speech about her being lazy for her inability to deliver a baby vaginally.

So to the women with strong vaginas, please give us, the so-called ‘lazy mothers’, a break will you?

After all, the children we have all call us ‘mommy’, and that is the most important thing about pregnancy and delivery.

#MothersAbr3

If you’re expecting the fruit of the womb, I pray God blesses you as He’s blessed me and regardless of how you deliver, may it be smooth and easy. Amen

Happy Mothers Day to all mothers- regardless of how you brought your children into this world!

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By: Lorrencia Nkrumah

The post Strong Vaginas, Weak Mothers [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.