Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Honourable Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has stressed that Ghana’s response to gender-based violence must extend beyond public commitments to concrete support for survivors.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series, the Minister of Gender disclosed that 152 survivors of domestic violence received counselling, legal assistance and financial support through interventions led by the ministry.
Honourable Lartey explained that effective protection requires survivors to have access to services when they report abuse. She noted that the ministry was therefore strengthening support systems alongside its wider work on gender equality and child protection.
The Krowor MP also disclosed that a shelter has been commissioned in Accra, while two additional shelters in the Upper West and Eastern regions had received support. The initiative is part of the ministry’s objective of establishing shelters across all 16 regions.
Dr Lartey stressed that the availability of safe spaces is essential to helping survivors recover from violence. She indicated that the ministry’s approach combines immediate assistance with longer-term institutional measures designed to improve protection.
“Zero tolerance for gender-based violence has to be backed by real services.”
Honourable Agnes Naa Momo Lartey
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act as another mechanism for addressing structural inequalities. The accompanying regulation, L.I. 2522, matured in June 2026, while the Gender Equity Committee and Secretariat have been established and operationalised.
Honourable Lartey disclosed that 2,321 stakeholders have been sensitised on their obligations under the legislation. She added that 47 institutions, including ministries, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and private sector organisations, had submitted compliance reports.
The ministry has also conducted 37 sensitisation programmes reaching almost 11,000 people on sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage and harmful cultural practices. These engagements, she explained, are intended to move gender protection from advocacy into practical institutional responsibility.
On child protection, Dr Lartey revealed that 291 vulnerable children received care, counselling and education through five residential and subvented homes. Another 1,168,278 Ghanaians were reached through a nationwide child rights awareness campaign.
The Minister also disclosed that five child-related bills and policies have advanced through Cabinet. These include the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy, Domestic Violence Policy, Children’s Amendment Bill, Children and Young Persons (Justice Administration) Bill and Domestic Abuse Bill.
According to Honourable Lartey, the combined measures demonstrate the ministry’s effort to connect legislation, public education and direct services. She maintained that protection becomes meaningful when survivors and vulnerable children can access assistance when they need it.
Legal Protection For Older Persons Gains New Social Assistance Framework
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is strengthening support for older persons through legal provisions and direct welfare interventions. Honourable Agnes Naa Momo Lartey explained that the new framework gives older Ghanaians stronger entitlement to social assistance and healthcare.
The Minister of Gender noted that support for older persons had historically depended heavily on charitable intervention. Under the new arrangement, she said, assistance is being positioned within a legal and institutional framework.
Dr Lartey disclosed that the ministry provides welfare services to 50 elderly residents at the Central Destitute Infirmary in Bekwai. The facility is currently undergoing full renovation to improve the conditions in which residents receive care.
The Krowor MP explained that programmes such as LEAP and the National Health Insurance Scheme remain important mechanisms for delivering support to older people. She added that the dedicated social protection framework provides additional institutional backing for such interventions.
Beyond older persons, the Minister outlined measures being implemented for persons with disabilities. Cabinet has approved amendments to the Persons with Disability Act, 2006, to bring Ghana’s legal framework closer to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Honourable Lartey disclosed that 19,760 persons with disabilities have benefited from the Disability Common Fund across 208 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies. She described the intervention as part of efforts to expand practical support for persons with disabilities.
Additionally, the ministry has conducted disability-inclusive disaster risk management sensitisation in 11 regions. Working with the Ghana Education Service, 272 graduates with disabilities are also being formalised into the Ghana Education Service.
The Minister further highlighted efforts to address the digital divide affecting students with disabilities. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation under the Ghana Digital Acceleration Project, ICT equipment has been procured for seven special schools.
The equipment includes desktop computers, laptops, accessible software, Braille displays, embossers and graphic tablets. Installation has been completed at three schools, with work continuing at the remaining four.
The schools include the Senior High Technical School for the Deaf at Mampong, Volta School for the Deaf and Blind and Savelugu Special Needs School. The remaining beneficiaries include institutions in Wa, Bechem and Cape Coast.
Honourable Lartey stressed that access to technology can significantly expand educational opportunities for students with disabilities. She explained that for some beneficiaries, the equipment represents their first practical experience with assistive technology.
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