News
African Women Lawyers Association seeks collaboration with Gender Ministry
A delegation from the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), led by its Chairperson, Madam Christine Lartey, has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.
The visit aimed to formally introduce the Association to the new Minister and explore possible areas of collaboration to promote gender equality and women’s rights.
Discussions during the meeting focused on several critical issues, including the need to ensure that laws passed in Ghana are gender-responsive and inclusive.
The delegation also raised concerns about the increasing use of social media to harass individuals, particularly women, and emphasized the urgent need to address this growing form of digital abuse.
One key issue raised was that of surrogacy—specifically, the need to develop a policy to streamline or guide its practice in the short term, ahead of a comprehensive legal framework for long-term regulation.
The meeting also addressed the enforcement and review of the Interstate Succession Law, violence against women, and the vulnerabilities of kayayei (female head porters), especially their exposure to abuse and exploitation.
AWLA further proposed that the Domestic Violence Fund be adequately resourced to support survivors of abuse and to strengthen institutional responses to gender-based violence.
The need to advance the passage of the Property Rights of Spouses Bill was also emphasized as crucial to protecting the economic rights of women, particularly within marriage and family settings.
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey expressed her appreciation to AWLA for their consistent advocacy on gender-related issues and their willingness to partner with the Ministry.
She assured the delegation that the Ministry would work closely with AWLA to follow up on all the points discussed.
In particular, she announced that the Ministry would form a joint team, in collaboration with AWLA and other stakeholders, to develop a draft policy framework on surrogacy and the empowerment of kayayei.
The Minister further reiterated government’s commitment to promoting gender equity and ensuring that all Ghanaians, especially vulnerable women and children, are protected under the law. She also pledged the Ministry’s readiness to deepen stakeholder engagement for sustained impact.
Also present at the meeting was the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah.
Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has confirmed that former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, is in prison and serving her jail term.
Speaking in an interview on Joy news, Mr. Muntaka dismissed claims that the former MASLOC boss was being held in a private location.
He said she has been in the custody of the state since she returned to Ghana.
“From the day Sedina came, she has been with us, and she’s serving her time,” he said.
The minister explained that the public is not usually told the specific prison where inmates, especially high-profile persons, are being held for security reasons.
He said even judges who sentence offenders do not necessarily know the specific prison where they are sent.
“If you want to visit her, you can write to the Prisons Service. They will talk to her, and if she is interested in you coming, she will let you come,” Mr. Muntaka stated.
According to him, disclosing the location of high-profile inmates could put their lives at risk, adding that some developed countries also keep such information confidential for security purposes.
His comments come amid public speculation over the whereabouts of Ms. Tamakloe Attionu following reports that she had returned to Ghana to begin serving her prison sentence.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Western Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ACFO I Cecil Addo, has completed a familiarization tour of major corporate and industrial institutions across the Western Region to strengthen partnerships and enhance fire safety preparedness.
The tour covered key organizations including the Bank of Ghana, GOIL PLC, Ghanstock, Western Terminals, Zen Terminal, Keda Ceramics, Takoradi International Company (TICO), Volta River Authority (VRA), Harlequin Oil and Gas, and Western Serene Atlantic Hotel.
During the engagements, the Regional Commander encouraged management of the institutions to prioritize proactive fire prevention measures by incorporating strict safety protocols into their daily operations.
Discussions also focused on improving fire readiness and strengthening collaboration between GNFS and the corporate sector.
As part of the initiative, GNFS presented firefighting equipment, including Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) extinguishers, as well as Fire Extinguishing Balls, to support workplace safety.
The institutions expressed appreciation for the outreach and pledged to support regular safety audits, joint emergency drills, and potential Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships with the Service.
News1 week agoNFS, AACMA raise GH¢300K for new fire tender
- News6 days ago
FSD Africa, others launch Green Project Preparation Facility to unlock investment in climate infrastructure in Ghana
- News6 days ago
Merck Foundation holds 13th Africa Asia Luminary with 12 First Ladies to advance healthcare capacity across Africa and Asia
