Gender Ministry to develop framework for the aged

The Ministry of Gender and Social Protection is developing a policy and a legal framework for the aged, Nana Oye Lithur, the sector Minister said on Wednesday.

She said a bill would be forwarded to the Attorney General and called for support from international agencies to have an effective policy for the aged.

The Minister said this on Wednesday when officials of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) paid a courtesy call on her in Accra.

She said the Ministry had finalised a comprehensive Child Protection Policy and also developed a Legislative Instruments for the Domestic Violence Act, Human Trafficking Act, and Domestic Workers.

The Minister said in January 2013 it expanded and renewed its mandate of ensuring gender equality through mainstreaming gender considerations, promoting the welfare and protection of children and empowering the vulnerable, excluded, aged and persons with disabilities through the use of social protection interventions to achieve national development.

She said the Ministry was committed to increasing access to sexual reproductive health and ensuring gender equality and commended the UNFPA for its supports towards promoting and protecting the rights of vulnerable women.

“We have increased the number of households receiving cash grants under our LEAP programme from 65,000 in 2012 to 74,347 in 2013. These is disbursed in 99 districts across the ten regions and hope to increase this to 100,000 by March 2014 and 150,000 by December 2014,” she added.

Mr Babatunde Ahonsi, UNFPA Representative to Ghana, said the interaction symbolised the outfit’s commitment to continuous partnership in area of gender equality and facilitating the rights of children in the country.

Mr Ahonsi said UNFPA had enjoyed good relationship with the Ministry and pledged to work assiduously to advance the course of gender equality especially access to sexual reproductive right.

He called for effective partnership to implement its annual work plan.