By: Henrietta Afful
In a bid to amplify women’s voices in national discourse, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has engaged senior female journalists in a dialogue on media collaboration, gender issues, and the media’s role in advancing women’s rights.
Welcoming the journalists on Wednesday, 19th February 2025 in Accra, the Gender Minister expressed her heartfelt appreciation for their participation, underscoring the significance of the engagement for both her and the Ministry.
“This is a gathering of women discussing women’s issues and how we can create spaces for ourselves to be seen and heard,” Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey said.
She emphasized the pivotal role journalists play in shaping public perception and influencing policy advocacy. The Minister pointed out that the media holds a unique responsibility in amplifying women’s voices and bringing attention to gender-related challenges.
Dr. Lartey reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality, child protection, and social welfare, aligning with the President’s vision to minimize vulnerability as much as possible. She assured that the Ministry is working tirelessly with key stakeholders to achieve this vision promptly.
Affirmative Action and Legislative Priorities
In outlining her priorities for the first 120 days in office, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey stressed the urgency of advancing the Affirmative Action Bill. She pointed out that the Bill, designed to enhance women’s representation in decision-making spaces, must be properly understood, embraced, and effectively utilized by the very individuals it aims to benefit.
She also highlighted the Social Protection (SP) Bill, which she described as a crucial piece of legislation that must be passed and fully implemented to strengthen Ghana’s social protection system.
Education and Child Welfare
Turning to the areas of education and child welfare, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving and decentralizing the Ghana School Feeding Programme. She underscored the importance of food quality in schools, quoting President H.E. John Dramani Mahama: “If you cannot feed it to yourself or your children, don’t feed it to others.”
Dr. Lartey also announced a partnership with the Ministries of Finance and Education to launch a free sanitary pad distribution initiative for schoolgirls, ensuring that menstrual health is no longer an obstacle to education.
Additionally, the Minister revealed that the government is working to expand access to free tertiary education. Collaborating with the Ministries of Education and Finance, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection is focused on ensuring that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and students from disadvantaged backgrounds can pursue higher education without financial constraints.
Women’s Empowerment and Economic Development
On women’s empowerment, Dr. Naa Momo Lartey said the proposed Women’s Development Bank when established by the Mahama administration, will provide financial support to women entrepreneurs, helping them grow their businesses and contribute to national development.
She urged journalists to spotlight these initiatives to inform and inspire more women.
Addressing gender-based violence, the Minister called for amendments to the Domestic Violence Act to improve its effectiveness. She also announced plans to establish 16 shelters—one in each region—providing rapid response and safety for survivors of abuse.
She encouraged journalists to use their platforms to challenge harmful cultural practices that hinder progress toward gender equality.
“As a Ministry, we are committed to partnering with you to ensure gender equality is achieved,” she affirmed.
Commitment from the Media
The female journalists in attendance congratulated the Minister on her appointment and pledged their steadfast support in championing gender equality and social protection in Ghana.
They noted that this meeting was the first of its kind, marking a positive transformation within the Ministry and affirming their commitment to supporting its initiatives.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Director, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, and the Social Protection Director, Madam Francisca Atuluk.
