Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called on traditional authorities, particularly queen mothers, to support the implementation of government’s social protection policies and ensure women have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their communities.
She said traditional leaders had an important role to play in translating government’s commitment to gender equity and the protection of vulnerable groups into practical outcomes at the community level.
The Vice-President was speaking at Yokama Ligbi (Ideal Woman Day), an event held as part of the 133rd anniversary celebration of the Ngmayem Festival at Odumase-Krobo in the Eastern Region.
She cited the launch of the Social Protection Act 2025, the Social Protection Regulations and the Affirmative Action Regulations 2026 as measures aimed at strengthening protection for vulnerable Ghanaians and advancing gender equity.
“The task now is implementation,” she said, adding that traditional leadership would be invaluable in achieving the objectives of the policies.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged queen mothers to draw on their influence and experience to promote women’s participation in decisions affecting their communities.
She also highlighted the Women’s Development Bank as an intervention to address financial barriers facing women, particularly those who lack the collateral or financial history required to access loans from conventional banks.
She said the initiative was intended to give women, especially those at the lower end of the economic ladder, better opportunities to establish and expand their livelihoods and participate more fully in the economy.
The Vice-President further highlighted the Free Senior High School programme as an intervention to reduce barriers to girls’ education, while stressing that families, schools, traditional authorities and communities also had responsibilities in preparing young people for the future.
She called on young people to remain curious, embrace learning and look beyond the opportunities immediately available to them.
Yokama Ligbi, also known as Ideal Woman Day, is an annual celebration initiated in 2003 by the Konor of Manya Krobo, Nene Sakite II, to honour women for their professional achievements, character and contributions to their families and communities.
This year’s celebration formed part of the Ngmayem Festival, which celebrates the heritage and traditions of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area.
