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Junior Shapers Africa pays courtesy call on Gender Minister
As part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Day of the Boy Child, Junior Shapers AFRICA – JSA Boys Mentorship, led by its Founding Director, Mrs. Ethel Adjorlolo-Marfo, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, ahead of the official celebration slated for Friday, May 16, 2025.
The meeting created a platform for selected boys and their teachers to engage the Minister on key issues affecting boys’ development in Ghana.
Discussions centered on raising awareness of boys’ challenges, bridging educational gaps, addressing school drop-out rates, strengthening support systems for boys, and promoting positive masculinity.
The selected boys from Christ the King School and Soul Clinic International School had an interactive discussion with the Minister, during which they emphasized the need for equal access to support systems for boys, the importance of giving boys the same attention and care as girls, and the need to encourage positive masculinity.
They also highlighted the importance of campaigns and workshops aimed at building the capacity of boys.
Additionally, they called on parents to play a pivotal role in the lives of their sons.
JSA is a male child development initiative that has, since its inception, been committed to grooming boys who are equipped to contribute meaningfully to society.
Through advocacy, mentorship programmes, and community engagements, the organization is helping reshape the narrative around boys’ development and their role in achieving gender equality.
Speaking during the engagement, JSA’s Ambassador, Jeremiah Komla Mawunyo, highlighted the importance of recognizing boys’ unique struggles and called for more inclusive approaches to child development.
In her remarks, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey expressed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote the welfare of both boys and girls. She emphasized the Ministry’s ongoing mentorship and empowerment programmes and assured the group of continued partnership in advancing gender equality and youth development.
Present at the meeting were the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, and the Director of the Department of Gender, Madam Faustina Acheampong, who both reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for such meaningful engagements.
The visit also featured a presentation of an advocacy petition and a renewed call on parents to play more active roles in the upbringing of their sons.
The Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has defended the conduct of the Minority in Parliament during Tuesday’s chaotic sitting, insisting their actions were to protect what they believe is a violation of parliamentary procedure.
Explaining the incident, he said the Minority was reacting to developments surrounding a letter which allegedly directed that a seat belonging to the MP for Kpandai be declared vacant despite an earlier ruling by the Speaker.
He argued that the Speaker’s ruling should stand unless overturned by a competent court, and described the sudden reversal as shocking and against parliamentary precedent.
Mr Ahmed said the Minority only attempted to make a statement to register their displeasure, but tensions rose when the Majority Leader insisted on responding instead of commenting, which he said was against the rules.
He also denied claims that Minority MPs crossed the aisle, stressing that they remained within their side and only sought the Speaker’s attention.
He further complained that during proceedings, the Mace—the symbol of authority in the House—was not present and Minority microphones were disconnected, making the process one-sided.
He said the caucus intends to continue pushing to ensure that the MP for Kpandai retains his seat, adding that their next steps will be strategic.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Mahama has stated that it is too early for anyone to call for the scrapping of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) despite recent controversies surrounding the institution.
He argued that the office remains an important part of Ghana’s fight against corruption.
He explained that government is strengthening anti-corruption bodies such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the OSP, noting that the OSP is the only agency with the power to independently prosecute cases without going through the Attorney General.
President Mahama said many people distrust the Attorney General’s office because it is headed by a government minister, and some fear it may be slow to prosecute its own.
He believes an independent body like the OSP offers stronger accountability, regardless of who is involved.
He admitted that citizens want to see more prosecutions and visible results, but urged the public to give the OSP time.
He encouraged the office to speed up its investigations to show that it remains relevant in the fight against corruption.
By: Jacob Aggrey
