By Ashiadey Dotse
The Ministerial Nominee for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey has promised to work for better maternity leave policies in Ghana.
Speaking during her vetting in Parliament on Wednesday, January 22, she said she would collaborate with gender advocates, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders to consider extending the current three-month maternity leave.
According to Momo Lartey, longer maternity leave is essential for the health and well-being of mothers and their babies. She suggested that employers consider offering up to six months of leave to help mothers heal properly and care for their newborns.
“It is important for women to have a prolonged leave period, not only to take care of the children but also to properly heal. As an employer, I will encourage you that if you even have the opportunity to grant six months leave, please do that,” she said.
She also spoke about the need to give fathers parental leave so they can bond with their babies and help share caregiving responsibilities. This, she explained, reflects modern family roles and promotes equality.
Naa Momo Lartey expressed her commitment to working with CSOs, NGOs, and other advocates to push for these changes. She praised the efforts of those already campaigning for better parental leave policies and promised to support them.
“I will sit with all stakeholders, CSOs who are deep into it, and I will join the many advocates to look at what is best and ensure that we push it. If the people of Ghana agree to it, then I will be the number one champion,” she said.
If confirmed as Minister, Naa Momo Lartey aims to make maternity and parental leave improvements a key part of her agenda.
