The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, convened a meeting in Accra with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to discuss and strengthen collaboration on critical social protection issues. The Minister emphasized President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to proactive measures aimed at significantly reducing vulnerabilities among Ghanaians. The meeting served as a platform to highlight the government’s dedication to enhancing existing programs and developing new initiatives designed to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. Key discussion points included the National School Feeding Programme (NSFP), the Affirmative Action and Gender Equity Act, child protection, the Domestic Violence Fund, and resource mobilization. The Minister underscored the importance of partnerships with CSOs in achieving these goals.
Mrs. Lartey conveyed the President’s directive to bolster the NSFP, moving beyond simply providing meals to ensuring the provision of nutritious food that effectively addresses the nutritional needs of children. This focus on nutritional value aims to maximize the program’s impact on children’s health and development. Decentralizing the NSFP emerged as a key strategy for expanding its reach and increasing enrollment, ensuring that more children benefit from the program. This decentralized approach is also expected to improve program efficiency and optimize the use of allocated resources, ensuring value for money.
The meeting provided an opportunity for a collaborative dialogue with CSOs, recognizing their crucial role in advocating for and implementing social protection policies. The Minister lauded the CSOs for their continuous support and urged them to intensify their engagement with the Ministry. This collaborative effort seeks to harness the expertise and resources of both governmental and non-governmental organizations to achieve a common goal: improving the well-being of all Ghanaians. The active participation of CSOs is deemed essential for effective policy implementation and achieving tangible results.
Discussions during the meeting encompassed a range of critical social protection issues. The Affirmative Action and Gender Equity Act, designed to promote equal opportunities for women, received significant attention. Participants deliberated on implementation strategies and the necessary steps to ensure its effectiveness in achieving gender equality. Child protection concerns were also addressed, highlighting the need for strengthened mechanisms to safeguard children from harm and ensure their well-being. The Domestic Violence Fund, crucial for supporting victims of domestic violence, was discussed, with emphasis on securing adequate resources and ensuring its accessible to those in need. Resource mobilization emerged as a key theme, emphasizing the importance of securing adequate funding to effectively implement social protection programs.
Prominent figures from various CSOs attended the meeting, contributing their expertise and insights to the discussions. Notable participants included Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye of the Ark Foundation, a recognized advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. Dr. Charity Binka, Ghana Chapter President of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), lent her expertise on women’s leadership and empowerment to the discussions. Mrs. Hamida Harrison of Abantu for Development and convenor of the Women’s Manifesto Coalition, contributed her insights on gender advocacy and policy development. Mrs. Joana Opare, an eminent member of the National Peace Council, brought her expertise on peacebuilding and social cohesion to the table. The participation of these key figures underscores the importance of collaboration and multi-sectoral approaches to addressing complex social issues.
In conclusion, the meeting underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening social protection systems and improving the lives of Ghanaians. The emphasis on proactive measures, collaboration with CSOs, and the focus on key programs such as the NSFP demonstrate a comprehensive approach to tackling social vulnerabilities. The discussions around the Affirmative Action and Gender Equity Act, child protection, the Domestic Violence Fund, and resource mobilization highlight the breadth of issues addressed. The active participation of prominent CSO representatives reinforces the collaborative spirit of the initiative and the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable social development outcomes. The meeting laid the groundwork for enhanced collaboration and a renewed focus on achieving significant improvements in the lives of all Ghanaians, especially the most vulnerable.
