Vice President, H.E. Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has highlighted the importance of compassion and collective responsibility in shaping Ghana’s social protection systems. She made the call during a working visit to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, where she also launched this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang commended the ministry for securing cabinet approval for a number of key policies, including the National Gender Policy, the Early Childhood Care framework, the Domestic Violence Policy, and the landmark Social Protection Act. She noted that such policies form the backbone of Ghana’s efforts to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
“If we are not vulnerable, we have a duty to ensure that those who are receive the support they deserve; that is the essence of our humanity,” the Vice President emphasized.
Turning to health, the Vice President highlighted the launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month as an opportunity for society to show greater empathy and understanding.
“Sometimes illness carries unnecessary stigma, as if the person chose to be sick. What the sick need is understanding, sympathy, and support,” she said, urging Ghanaians to rally behind women and families affected by breast cancer.
She further reaffirmed government’s commitment to empowering women, noting that initiatives such as the Women’s Development Bank remain central to expanding economic opportunities.
On her part, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, expressed appreciation to the Vice President for her consistent support at the cabinet level. She outlined the ministry’s recent achievements, including significant increases in the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, the successful completion of its 98th disbursement, and the clearance of arrears owed to school feeding caterers.
The Minister also disclosed that government is far advanced in the construction of shelters for survivors of abuse, as promised, while appealing for an increase in grants per child under LEAP.