By Dennis Peprah
Duayaw-Nkwanta, (Ahafo), Sept. 11, GNA – Dr Freda Prempeh, a former parliamentarian has urged families to endeavour to resolve their problems amicably to stem suicidal thoughts in marriages, as the globe marks the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD).
The WSPD is an awareness day always observed on 10 September every year, to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides.
Observed worldwide since 2003, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to host the day.
Dr Prempeh noted that suicide ideations often emanated from unresolve marital and family problems, relationship troubles, financial difficulties and depression, urging spouses to seek marital counselling too.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Duayaw-Nkwanta Dr Prempeh, a former legislature for the Tano North Constituency in the Ahafo Region noted that depression and harassments in families were also causes of suicides and advised spouses to easily communicate and manage their stresses together.
She expressed concern about the rising unemployment situation in the country, worrying that unemployed people often saw themselves as hopeless and helpless.
Dr Prempeh, also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Ultimate Women Foundation (UWF) called on the government to create job opportunities for especially young women and thereby empower them financially to contribute to the upkeep of their families.
She explained that the UWF is a women-inclined Non-Governmental Organisation that sought to encourage and motivate indigenous and vulnerable women and girls to know their worth and to empower and well-position to contribute meaningfully to society.
Dr Prempeh noted that most often marital problems stemmed from financial difficulties in the family when one of the spouses remained jobless, worrying that many women were under serious emotional pains in their families.
“Marital problems emanating from financial difficulties and childlessness often results to human rights abuses and harassments which contribute to suicidal thoughts”, Dr Prempeh stated.
She said the foundation remained committed to help tackle barriers inimical to the holistic development of women and girls, promote their dignity and empower them to become self-reliant.
Nonetheless, Dr Prempeh said indigenous women required government support to build on their lives economically and to provide the basic needs of their families to make their homes happier.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Kenneth Odeng Adade