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Gender Ministry, IOM, deepen partnership to tackle human trafficking, gender equality
The Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Ghana, Madam Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, has led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.
The visit was to officially congratulate the Minister on her appointment and to rekindle the strong partnership between the Ministry and IOM.
Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in areas of mutual interest, particularly in the fight against human trafficking, child protection, and the promotion of gender equality.
Both parties also explored joint strategies to combat child trafficking and streetism, and discussed how multi-stakeholder collaboration could significantly reduce the menace.
The conversation also highlighted the growing concern of trafficking in sports, with a commitment to collaborate with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to tackle the issue from the grassroots.
Madam Ndiaye commended the Ministry for its relentless efforts in preventing human trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations.
She reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to providing technical and financial assistance to enhance the Ministry’s work in these critical areas.
The Chief of Mission further expressed IOM’s readiness to support reintegration programmes for victims of trafficking and to work with the Ministry to address issues related to alleged witches camps.
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey praised IOM for its continued support to the Ministry over the years. She noted the government’s plan to expand existing shelters and establish new ones across all 16 regions to ensure rapid response and care for victims of abuse and trafficking.
“The Ministry is like the moral fibre of society, and our actions or inactions can have far-reaching consequences. Let’s do our best to rewrite history and leave a mark,” the Minister said.
She further announced plans to engage other relevant institutions—including the Ministries of Labour, Jobs & Employment, Youth and Recreation, and the Interior—to strengthen migrant protection mechanisms.
As part of the renewed collaboration, the Minister also hinted at the rollout of a robust capacity-building programme, in partnership with IOM, to train Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on effective migration management within their communities.
The meeting ended with both parties expressing a strong commitment to deepening cooperation to safeguard the rights and dignity of all, especially the most vulnerable.
Also present at the meeting were the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, the Head of the Human Trafficking Secretariat, Madam Abena Annobea Asare as well as the Head of the Social Protection Directorate.
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
