Maternity leave period will be increased from three to four months – Naana Opoku-Agyemang

Running mate to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang says the NDC government will increase the period of maternity leave from three months to four months.

According to her, this forms part of the many policies listed in the party’s 2020 manifesto that proves that it cares about Ghanaians.

“I sympathize with young mothers, but you will be happy to know when our manifesto is launched that we have increased the maternity leave [period]. We have moved it from three months to four months fully paid maternity leave and we are also going to ensure that until the child is nine months, the woman truly has time,” she said at a gathering to mark International Youth Day.

In her efforts to react to a question on the NDC’s plans for improving social support and care for vulnerable groups and women, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the NDC has demonstrated that it cares more about Ghanaians and there are many interventions and developments undertaken by the NDC government previously.

“It was during the time of John Evans Atta Mills that Kotokuraba market was initiated, it was completed by John Mahama and there is a daycare in that place. It was during the time of John Mahama that the Kejetia market was initiated and completed, there is a daycare in that place. Who cares more about women?” she quizzed.

Again, she emphasized that with her at the highest level of decision making in government, more policies that will ensure inclusion and social justice will be provided.

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Stating her stance on representing the interest of women, she said should Ghanaians vote the NDC into office, decisions will be taken to advance the cause of women and the marginalized in society.

Currently, the Ghana labour law grants women a maternity leave period of at least 12 weeks in addition to her annual leave. During the period of her leave, she is entitled to be paid her full remuneration and other benefits to which she is otherwise entitled. The maternity leave period could be increased by two weeks in extraordinary circumstances.

Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang at the gathering also gave indications of plans by the government to introduce a pensions and insurance scheme for farmers.

“We have seasonal workers. We should think about them too. When it is the lean fishing season, what do the fishermen do? We should bring them in…. In our manifesto, we are talking about insurance for them. Making contributions to insurance and pensions schemes,” she said.