The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has held a high-level meeting with the leadership of the Queen Mothers Association drawn from all sixteen regions of Ghana.
The organization seeks to bring together queen mothers who are duly recognized by law and provide them with a platform that amplifies their voice and contributes towards the national issues, significantly leading to development.
The delegation was led by its President, Nana Otubea II. She outlined the formation and purpose of the Association. She stated that the association is made up of gazetted queen mothers all over the country to encourage inclusivity, community development, and participation in the national decision-making process.
The engagement was focused on solidifying partnerships between government and traditional authorities to promote gender equality and inclusiveness in government. The Association also reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the government in advancing development initiatives within its traditional areas.
The organization highlighted its advocacy efforts, which played a vital role in the passage of the Affirmative Action Act, which they described as a milestone achievement. They also expressed their gratitude to the Minister for her leadership and continuous support.
Government To Partner With Queen Mothers in Decision-making
The Queen Mothers Association emphasized the need for stronger partnerships and inclusion in governance systems. They highlighted the need for the government to involve the traditional leaders in decision-making, especially in sectors that have a direct impact on community well-being.
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey expressed her appreciation for the visit and reiterated the government’s obligation to an inclusive growth. She explained that the government is committed to making the governance system inclusive and allowing for the participation of all.
She opined that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that “no one is left behind,” aligning with the broader national development agenda. She further stressed the fact that sustainable national development requires the active involvement of all stakeholders, particularly traditional leaders such as queen mothers, who play a critical role at the community level.
“Touching on policy implementation, the Minister indicated that the Affirmative Action Act, passed in 2024 and launched in 2025, is currently at the implementation stage, with a Secretariat established to drive its rollout. She added that the Ministry continues to implement targeted social interventions through programs such as LEAP, the Ghana School Feeding Programs.”
Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
As part of the engagement, the Minister presented copies of the Affirmative Action Act, the Social Protection Act, and documents on the LEAP reassessment onboarding process to the Association to support their advocacy and community outreach efforts.
She urged the Queen Mothers to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the documents, which will help them to deepen their advocacy efforts towards improving the lives of people within their communities.
The Affirmative Action Act is expected to enhance women’s representation in the political space and also promote gender balance across various sectors. The Minister further emphasized the essential role of queen mothers in resolving critical social matters.
She charged them to contribute their part in helping address issues such as teenage pregnancy, child welfare, caregiving, and community sensitization. She asserted that their influence as revered traditional leaders makes them crucial partners in enhancing a positive change in behavior and mindset, which promotes good behavior and community development.
She therefore urged the Queen Mothers to vigorously support and encourage more women to contest in the upcoming District Assembly elections. She noted that their participation is crucial to achieving gender parity in local governance.
The Gender Minister called on the Queen Mothers to use their influence in advising and ensuring that more women enter the political space, an area that is mostly dominated by men.
The meeting strengthened the need for collaboration between the Ministry and traditional leaders in progressing gender equality and social advancement at the community level.
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