Accra, June 22, GNA – The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection says it is collaborating with queen mothers to address inequalities and harmful practices against women, children and the vulnerable.
The Ministry said queen mothers played an effective role in community development hence the need to collaborate with them as the first port of call in mitigating discrimination and abuse against the vulnerable.
Mrs Sarah Adwoa Safo, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said this, in a speech read on her behalf, at the ministry’s Durbar and Training of National Queen Mothers as Advocates against Inequalities and Harmful Practices.
“Queen mothers play significant roles in the development of their communities through their involvement in community planning and development.
They are regarded and seen as preservers of our traditional values and customs,” she reiterated.
Mrs Safo said such collaboration would provide a common platform and interest in addressing inequalities and harmful practices against marginal groups in the country.
She said: “The role played by each of us is very critical as the responsibility does not solely rest on government but demands the collective effort of development partners, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, queen mothers, celebrities and the media.”
“Your presence at this engagement is a testimony of our collective determination to respond to the needs of persons at the very fringes of our society,” she added.
The Minister said the Ministry had implemented social intervention programmes including the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty, School Feeding Programme, among others, as well as policies such as the Gender Policy and Children’s Act, which sought to protect women, children and the vulnerable.
Nana Amponsah Dokua III, Queen Mother, Osudoku Traditional Area, commended the ministry for the partnership it sought to create with them.
Nana Dokua, who is also President of the Queen Mothers’ Platform Ghana, said they were hopeful that their collaboration would help in mitigating challenges faced by vulnerable people in the society.
“The Queen Mothers’ Platform – Ghana is poised to work as an ally in advancing the national agenda on Gender, Children and Social Protection,” she said.
