Ghana's President Suspends Country's Top Judge Pending Probe
Ghanaian President John Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo after receiving three petitions calling for her removal from office.
Mahama has appointed a committee to study the petitions and provide recommendations, Minister of Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu said in a statement Tuesday.
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Barcelona in fresh transfer link with Arsenal star
La Liga giants Barcelona have initiated a fresh push for the signature of a member of the midfield ranks at Premier League outfit Arsenal. That's according to Mundo Deportivo, citing English outlet The Sun, who point towards Thomas Partey as the player in question. Advertisement The name of midfielder Partey has of course proven a prominent one in the headlines surrounding Barcelona on a number of occasions in the past. This comes amid the understanding that the Blaugrana are keen long-term admirers of the talents boasted by the Ghanaian international. The interest of the Catalans dates as far as back as his time on the books of Atlético Madrid, and if the latest word doing the rounds in the media this week is anything to go by, then it has evidently never fully faded out. As per a report from MD: 'The Sun reports that Barça representatives have already begun talks with the Ghanaian's entourage for a free transfer this summer, as the 31-year-old midfielder has not reached an agreement with the team managed by Mikel Arteta.' It is also noted, however, that Deco and the Camp Nou brass are unlikely to be willing to meet the wage demands laid out by Partey and his entourage. Conor Laird – GSFN
Yahoo
29-05-2025
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Killing Our Roots: How Black Women Pay the Price for Harmful Beauty Trends
Growing up as the only Black girl in my school in London, Ontario, I clung to the beauty rituals passed down through generations—rituals that nourished my hair, my identity, and my sense of belonging. I was surrounded by white girls whose silky hair blew effortlessly in the wind. I longed to look like them. Meanwhile, my hair was thick, coarse, and proudly defied gravity. Still, even though I looked different, my peers were kind. They were genuinely fascinated by the intricate hairstyles my mother created. Every month, she would sit me down and thread my hair using a traditional Ghanaian method known in our language as Ahoma— 'hair threading' in English. She would grease my scalp to keep it from drying out, gently stretching and wrapping my strands into beautifully sculpted styles. I remember the excitement I felt going to school the next day with a new look—how special it felt to be admired, even if I didn't look like everyone else. Ahoma made my hair thick, kept it moisturized, protected my ends, and overall, gave me a full, healthy head of hair. Back then, I didn't realize that those moments were sacred. They were part of a lineage of beauty practices passed down through generations—acts of care, of culture, and of resistance. But now, we're also passing down something else with our hair care rituals - harmful chemicals. A comprehensive analysis by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) revealed that nearly 80% of over 4,000 beauty products marketed to Black women contain at least one moderately hazardous ingredient. These products include hair relaxers, skin lighteners, and synthetic braiding hair. Consumer Reports found carcinogens in 10 out 10 of the most popular synthetic hair braiding products marketed to Black women. These products are staples in many beauty routines, but at Ofori, the organization I founded, we work to change that through education, wellness, and community. A post shared via Instagram Hair relaxers, designed to straighten curly hair, have been linked to serious health concerns. These products often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde. Research indicates that exposure to these chemicals is associated with reproductive health issues, including uterine fibroids and an increased risk of breast and uterine cancers. Despite these risks, hair relaxers remain largely unregulated, leaving consumers vulnerable to their harmful effects. The use of skin-lightening products is another area of concern. These products often contain hazardous substances like corticosteroids and mercury, which can lead to metabolic problems, kidney damage, and nervous system disorders. The pursuit of lighter skin, driven by societal pressures and colourism, has led many Black women to use these dangerous products, often without full awareness of the potential health risks. Braiding is a cherished cultural practice among Black women, symbolizing heritage and identity. However, recent investigations have uncovered that synthetic braiding hair used in these styles may contain harmful chemicals, including carcinogens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A study by Consumer Reports found that popular synthetic hair brands contained dangerous substances, posing potential health risks to users. Prolonged or repeated exposure to these chemicals can lead to scalp irritation, respiratory issues, and even cancer. The prevalence of these harmful products is deeply intertwined with societal beauty standards that favour Eurocentric features. Racialized beauty norms pressure Black women to alter their natural appearance to conform to Eurocentric ideals of beauty—straight hair, lighter skin, and more 'tame' textures. I didn't fully understand the weight of these norms until I moved as a teenager from London, Ontario to Brampton, Ontario. Suddenly, I was surrounded by more Black girls—something I had longed for—but I was also introduced to a completely different understanding of what it meant to be beautiful as a Black girl. When I moved to Brampton, I thought being surrounded by more Black girls would mean feeling more seen. But instead, I encountered a painful truth: even within our own communities, certain beauty standards were upheld over others. My stepmom teased me for wearing my natural hair. The Ahoma styles that once made me proud were now dismissed as something only 'village girls' wore. I was told that modern girls had relaxed hair or wore long, flowing extensions. This message was completely new to me, but I internalized it quickly. I wanted to fit in so badly. I wanted my hair to fall to my shoulders like everybody else's instead of standing tall and reaching toward the sky. In Grade 9, I wore my first set of single braids with extensions. They were beautiful—I truly loved how they looked. But when I took them out, I was devastated. My hair came out with them. I had lost a significant amount of length. And still, I kept going back to braids, believing what I was told—that they were protective styles, even though I could clearly see the opposite was happening to my own hair. In June of that same school year, I got my first relaxer. I'll never forget the strong smell of the chemicals being mixed, and the burning sensation on my scalp after it was applied. I was told the heat meant the relaxer was 'working,' so I sat through it. After rinsing it out, my scalp felt raw and tender, and I was warned not to wash my hair for at least a week. I developed scabs from the burns. But none of that stopped me. Because I had already absorbed the message: beauty is pain, and this was the price I had to pay to belong. But at what cost? In response to this pressing issue, I have dedicated myself to empowering Black women through education. At Ofori, we specialize in delivering workshops that provide Black women with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about beauty practices, self-confidence, and overall wellness. Our mission is to raise awareness about the long-term health implications of using products like hair relaxers, skin lighteners, and synthetic braiding hair. At Ofori, our workshops help Black women begin to reconnect with themselves through education and community. Participants learn to identify harmful chemicals and explore safer alternatives, celebrating natural beauty. One of the first things we teach is how to read product labels critically. A good rule of thumb: if you can't pronounce the first five ingredients, it's worth researching before applying it to your body. Be especially cautious of ingredients like parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and fragrance (often a cover for a cocktail of undisclosed chemicals). These are commonly found in products marketed to Black women, especially in relaxers, braiding hair, and skin lighteners, and have been linked to hormone disruption, scalp damage, and even increased cancer risk. We also help participants understand certifications, clean beauty standards, and how to transition to products that nourish rather than harm their bodies. EWG provides an easy-to-use guide where you can type in the name of any product you use to find out if it contains harmful ingredients. But this isn't just about switching brands—it's about reclaiming agency over our bodies, our health, and our beauty. Our workshops emphasize the importance of holistic wellness, encouraging practices that nurture both the body and mind. We promote self-acceptance and the celebration of natural features, fostering a positive self-image among Black women. We create safe spaces for open discussions about beauty standards, cultural pressures, and personal experiences. These conversations are essential in reshaping narratives and building a supportive community that values authenticity and health over conformity. Through our workshops, we have witnessed transformative changes in participants. Women who once felt compelled to use harmful beauty products have begun embracing their natural hair and skin, not just because it's healthier, but because they now understand the power of doing so. After one of our summits, a woman reached out to me personally. She shared that the information she learned during our sessions had completely changed her life. For years, she had relied on extensions and relaxers. Eventually, she stopped using extensions because the tension on her scalp became unbearable, but she continued relaxing her hair, not realizing the damage it was causing. After attending the summit and being exposed to the science, history, and emotional truths surrounding our beauty practices, she decided to go fully natural. She told me she was finally committed to learning her hair, loving it, and giving it what it actually needs, not what society says it should look like. Loving yourself—and your hair—is a vital and sensitive part of this journey. And knowing that I was able to create a space where that transformation could begin fills me with joy and purpose. By providing education and support, we don't just help individuals—we challenge harmful beauty standards and advocate for systemic change in the beauty industry. The issue of toxic beauty products is not just a personal concern; it's a collective responsibility. We must advocate for stricter ingredient transparency laws, mandatory safety testing, and better regulation of beauty products marketed to women of colour. Consumers should be empowered with knowledge, and manufacturers should be held accountable for the safety of their products. Black women deserve beauty practices that honour, not harm, them. Join us at Ofori, attend a workshop, start the conversation, and choose products with care. Together, we can demand a safer, more inclusive beauty industry that sees, protects, and celebrates us.
Yahoo
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Ghana 1-2 Nigeria: Super Eagles survive second half onslaught to set up Jamaica clash in Unity Cup final
Nigeria will face Jamaica in the Unity Cup final following a hard fought win over Ghana. Super Eagles head coach Eric Challe said ahead of kick-off that he wanted to use this game and next month's friendly against Russia as preparation for their remaining World Cup qualifiers. Challe certainly got the result he would have wanted, but he may have some reservations about the second half performance as a vastly experienced Nigeria side almost let a two-goal lead slip against their Ghanaian counterparts. With the likes of Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, and in particular Victor Osimhen, all rested, it meant an opportunity for several players based in Nigeria as well as Cyriel Dessers. The Rangers striker made the most of a rare start at international level by breaking the deadlock inside the opening quarter of an hour, though most of the credit should go to Ismaila Sodiq. Racing down the right-wing, Sodiq picked out Dessers with a perfectly weighted cross and the centre-forward took one touch to set himself and then fired the ball into the back of the net. A few minutes later the Super Eagles' lead was doubled as Seyi Ajayi's header went in off Razak Simpson for an own goal before a brilliant save from Benjamin Asare and a clearance off the line denied Wilfred Ndidi making it three before half-time. Credit to the inexperienced Ghana side as they made a real game of it in the second half and reduced the deficit with 20 minutes to go as substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante scored his first international goal. Caleb Yirenkyi did his very best to mark his Ghana debut with a goal whilst Abu Francis was denied an equaliser by a superb save from Stanley Nwabali as Nigeria held on for the win. Their reward is a showdown with Jamaica on Saturday. The Reggae Boyz, now managed by Steve McClaren, came out on top in a five-goal thriller against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday night with Richard King scoring from the penalty spot deep into injury time to seal a dramatic 3-2 win.
