Accra, May 12, GNA - Ms. Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC), on Tuesday said government had initiated a process to review the mandate and performance of the departments under her Ministry to make them more focused on their core duties. She said the outcome of the review would also enhance government's agenda to promote gender equality, empower women and accelerate protection as well as the holistic development of children to reflect a focus on social issues.

Ms Dansua said this at the Meet-The-Press series in Accra to highlight government policies and achievement of that ministry. She said government, in collaboration with other stakeholders would embark on registration of trafficked children in 15 satellite islands in the Kete-Krachi district of the Volta Region and rehabilitate, re-unite and reintegrate them into their communities of origin. She said awareness creation and consensus building campaigns would be intensified in the 'sending' and 'receiving' communities to reduce the incidence of child trafficking in the country. She announced that the Ministry would also provide micro-credit assistance and engage the parents and guardians of child victims of trafficking in community based projects to reduce their poverty levels. "We would also support parents and guardians and fishermen, to engage in Functional Literacy Programmes and other sustainable alternative livelihoods that do not involve child labour," she added. Ms. Dansua mentioned inadequate qualified staff, budget allocation; irregular release of funds, weak collaboration/partnership with stakeholders, inadequate logistics and operational facilities as some of the challenges facing the Ministry.