News
Gender Minister outlines plans to promote women, children’s wellbeing
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has reaffirmed her commitment to promoting the wellbeing of women and children across the country to impact national development.
Outlining bold initiatives including advancing women and children’s rights, commitment to gender equality, child protection and social welfare issues to reducing vulnerabilities to the barest minimum, the Minister called for multistakeholder support to achieving that.
She gave the assurance when she engaged some female journalists from selected media houses in Accra last Thursday.
The meeting was to strengthen media collaboration in amplifying women’s voices in the country while addressing challenges facing women and children in line with realising the Minister’s vision for the sector.
Underscoring the pivotal role, journalists play in shaping public perception and influencing policy advocacy, Dr Lartey said the media had the responsibility to push for a better ecosystem for Ghanaian women and children to thrive.
“I recognise the critical role women play in shaping public discourse but when it comes to women’s issues or gender, it is important to look out for those who can make the voices of women well articulated on issues so that together, we can build the Ghana we want to see which is why this meeting is important,” she explained.
The Minister indicated that as a matter of priority, the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act passed by parliament last year would be accelerated within her first 120 days in office.
She disclosed plans to also push for the Social Protection (SP) Bill to enhance Ghana’s social protection framework, offering stronger support to vulnerable populations.
Dr Lartey announced plans to decentralise the School Feeding Programme, increasing the current grant from GH₵1.50 to 2.00, to improve the quality of food given to children.
“We will ensure that if you cannot feed it to yourself or your children, you don’t feed it to others,” she emphasised.
Furthermore, Dr Lartey pointed out an intended partnership with other agencies and sector ministries to improve the economic empowerment of women as well as persons living with disability in the country.
In the area of gender-based violence, the Minister called for amendments to the Domestic Violence Act to enhance its effectiveness, announced plans also to establish shelters across all 16 regions of the country to provide safety and protection for survivors of abuse.
Veteran journalist and Chairperson of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), Ghana Chapter, Dr. Charity Binka, on behalf the journalists, congratulated the Minister on her appointment, pledging the unwavering support of colleagues to her and the Ministry in championing gender equality and social protection in Ghana.
By Abigail Annoh
The Ghana Highway Authority has announced a temporary traffic management arrangement on sections of the Accra Tema Motorway and the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange as construction work continues on the motorway expansion project.
In a public announcement issued on March 5, the Authority explained that the arrangement forms part of ongoing construction works under the Accra Tema Motorway and Extension Projects.
It noted that the traffic adjustment is required to allow contractors carry out T beam launching works for the expansion of the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange Bridge on the N1 highway.
Under the arrangement, lanes on the N4 northbound carriageway, which serves traffic moving from Accra to Madina, will be temporarily closed.
Meanwhile, the southbound carriageway from Madina to Accra, which currently has four lanes, will be reconfigured into two lanes in each direction to accommodate traffic moving both ways.
The Authority indicated that the temporary traffic changes will take effect from Monday, March 9, 2026 and are expected to last for four months.
According to the statement, the lane reduction is necessary to create a safe working space for construction personnel and to ensure the safety of motorists using the road.
The Authority therefore advised drivers to be cautious, obey traffic signs and cooperate with traffic management officials throughout the construction period.
It encouraged members of the public who require further information to contact its Public Affairs Division through WhatsApp on 0551622244.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The National Chief Imam, Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has congratulated the Government and people of Ghana as the country marks its 69th Independence Day, urging citizens to renew their commitment to national unity and democratic values.
In a statement to commemorate the celebration on March 6, he encouraged Ghanaians to use the occasion to strengthen their dedication to constitutional democracy, economic progress, interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence.
He observed that the world was currently facing several challenges, including the rise of authoritarian governments and increasing military conflicts among nations.
According to him, humanity was experiencing turbulent times, with genocidal attitudes and violent extremism becoming more widespread in different parts of the world.
The Chief Imam explained that such global developments should inspire Ghanaians to come together and deepen their commitment to nation building while embracing unity in diversity.
He noted that although colonialism left a painful mark on the country’s history, Ghanaians could take comfort in their collective determination to overcome colonial subjugation and build a free nation.
Reflecting on the country’s independence struggle, he indicated that Ghanaians now remembered the victory for liberty rather than the hardship endured during the fight against tyranny.
The National Chief Imam offered prayers for divine guidance and blessings for the President, John Dramani Mahama, the Government and the people of Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
