Gender Ministry Receives Women’s Petition, Assures Group of Action on Key Concerns

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has assured the Women’s Voices Matter Movement of its commitment to addressing concerns affecting women and promoting their rights and welfare.

The assurance followed the presentation of a petition by the group to the Ministry on Tuesday in Accra, calling for greater attention to women’s rights and fundamental freedoms in Ghana.

Presenting the petition on behalf of the movement, Akosua Manu raised concerns about the protection of freedom of expression, timely action on women’s constitutional rights, the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act and the establishment of the proposed Women’s Development Bank.

Receiving the petition, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the demonstration and petition as a legitimate exercise of the group’s democratic rights.

She assured the protesters that their concerns had been heard and said the Ministry remained committed to advancing the rights and welfare of women, children, persons with disabilities and other groups under its mandate.

On the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act, Dr Lartey said the necessary committee and Secretariat had already been established to support the process.

She also clarified that work on the proposed Women’s Development Bank was being led by the Office of the Vice President in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

The Minister stressed that government remained committed to establishing the Bank to support women and contribute to the broader development of Ghana.

Dr Lartey further reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to engage stakeholders and work collaboratively to address issues affecting women and other vulnerable groups within its mandate.

Grace Acheampong, ISD