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UMaT professor warns against using plastic bags for hot liquids
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Professor Eric Stemn, head of the Environmental and Safety Engineering Department at the University of Mines and Technology UMaT, has cautioned the public against using plastic bags for hot beverages. Speaking on Channel One TV on April 14, 2026, Professor Stemn explained that these plastic bags are not designed for hot liquids and can release harmful chemical substances when exposed to heat. He noted that while these materials are generally safe for cold liquids or solid items, heat can dissolve chemicals from the plastic into the drink. He warned that consuming these chemicals, even in small quantities, repeatedly over time could lead to their accumulation in the body, potentially causing long-term health effects that might manifest in 10, 20, or 30 years. Professor Stemn advised the public to avoid this practice and instead use safer alternatives like reusable containers for hot beverages.
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Ghana's Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has commended four Ghanaian pupils from Pentecost Preparatory School for setting Guinness World Records. The Minister described their success as a source of national pride and an inspiration for children across the country. The pupils, identified and nurtured by the Sophia Boadi Readathon International Foundation SBRIF, achieved records in various categories. Isaac K Boadi Atuah and George K Kwarteng Boadi set the record for the fastest time to sort two bags of recyclable materials, with Isaac also achieving the record for the most seeds planted in one minute. Selorm Dzakah Junior secured the record for the fastest time to pack a school bag, while Rebecca Ackron Essel set the record for the fastest time to build a 10-toilet roll pyramid. Dr Lartey praised the pupils' determination, discipline, and commitment to excellence, highlighting their potential and encouraging them to inspire other children. She also commended SBRIF for its work in literacy, talent development, and youth empowerment, noting that these initiatives support government efforts in education and child development. The Minister presented a cash token to the pupils in recognition of their achievements.
Must ReadGhana's Cabinet is conducting its third and final review of proposed amendments to the 1992 Constitution, according to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications. These proposals stem from recommendations by the Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh. Key recommendations include extending the presidential term from four to five years without a third-term provision, capping ministerial appointments to a maximum of 57, prohibiting Members of Parliament from being appointed as ministers, reducing the presidential age limit from 40 to 30 years, and setting an upper limit of 15 justices for the Supreme Court. After this final review, the document will be sent to the Attorney General and government legal advisers for further consolidation before being submitted to the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee.
A recent United Nations Population Fund UNFPA report, 'Lives, Choices and Futures,' released for World Population Day 2026, indicates that financial insecurity, unemployment, and the rising cost of raising a family are causing many young adults to postpone marriage and parenthood. The report, based on a survey of over 108,000 young adults across 73 countries, found that more than two-thirds of individuals aged 18 to 39 desire marriage, and only about one in ten do not wish to have children. However, 88 percent of respondents consider financial security essential before having children, and 87 percent require stable employment before starting a family. UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita noted that young people still value marriage and parenthood but need the right conditions to make these choices. The study also highlighted that 80 percent of respondents cited the joy children bring as a primary reason for wanting them, with government incentives being less important. Young people in West and Central Africa, including Ghana, generally expressed a preference for larger families. The report suggests that Ghana could benefit from a demographic dividend if young people have access to education, healthcare, and decent employment, though unemployment and insecure work remain significant obstacles. The delay in marriage is attributed to the difficulty of achieving financial security rather than a change in attitudes towards family.