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Social protection bill when passed will protect vulnerable groups – Gender minister affirms
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The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has assured that the Social Protection Bill, when signed into law, will provide a stronger framework to safeguard the rights and welfare of vulnerable groups across the country.
She gave the assurance when the founder of the Lepers Aid Committee and caretaker of the Weija Leprosarium, Father Andrew Campbell, paid a working visit to her office to explore areas of collaboration in supporting disadvantaged groups.
Father Campbell, who has for decades championed the welfare of persons affected by leprosy and other marginalized groups, called for stronger collaboration to ensure persons with disabilities receive adequate care.
He urged government to expand the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme to cover more eligible inmates, thereby extending social protection to a wider group of marginalized individuals.
The discussion highlighted the plight of street children, which the minister said remains a priority for her ministry.
She explained that ongoing collaborations with relevant agencies were aimed at tackling the root causes and providing long-term solutions.
On the request for LEAP expansion, the minister said pragmatic steps were being taken to ensure that all eligible persons are enrolled.
She further noted that the passage of the Social Protection Bill by Parliament, now awaiting Presidential assent, will provide a sustainable legal basis for programmes like LEAP.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The IGP Special Operations Team (SOT) has arrested seven persons in an intelligence-led operation targeting narcotics activities in the Ashanti Region.
The operations were carried out at Ejisu, Abrepo Junction and Atimatim on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
According to the Police, the swoop followed intelligence gathered on suspected narcotic-related activities in the areas, with the objective of identifying and apprehending persons suspected to be involved in the possession, control and use of narcotic substances.
At Ejisu, the Police arrested Nana Kwadwo Adu, 43, and Nana Kwame Fella, 48.
At Abrepo Junction, five persons were picked up Stephanie Anokye, 23; Roland Anokye, 20; Gideon Owusu, 30; and Grace Fosua, 27.
At Atimatim, the team arrested Kofi Opoku, 27, who was suspected of involvement in the peddling of narcotic substances and had reportedly evaded arrest on previous occasions.
The operations led to the recovery of pill pouches containing dried leaves suspected to be narcotic substances, quantities of Tramaking 225mg and 250mg, Royal 255mg and Rophynol 100mg, as well as 860 tablets and capsules of Tramadol suspected to be unregistered drugs. An unspecified amount of Ghanaian currency was also retrieved.
All seven suspects are currently in Police custody and are assisting with investigations.
Police say the ongoing investigations are intended to establish the source of the substances, determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement, and identify other persons who may be connected to the suspected activities.
The Command has urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to the Police to support efforts to maintain public safety and security, adding that further updates will be provided in due course.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has presented the Business Statement for the emergency meeting of Parliament ending Friday, August 28, 2026.
Presenting the statement on the floor of the House, Mr.Ayariga noted that the recall is to consider urgent parliamentary business which cannot be deferred.
He explained that the House is expected to consider, among others, the presentation and First Reading of Bills, namely the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the National Petroleum Authority Bill, 2026.
The Appointments Committee is also expected to vet Mahama Ayariga as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, as well as three nominee Justices of the Supreme Court.
The emergency meeting was convened by the Speaker of Parliament pursuant to Order 53 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, following a request by the Majority Leader to deal with pressing national issues.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
