News
Veep meets Kayayei Association, calls for holistic support
Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on Monday hosted a delegation from the Kayayei Association, led by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, to discuss challenges facing head porters and what government must do to improve their livelihoods.
The meeting built on earlier engagements that highlighted key concerns of kayayei, including exploitation, limited access to skills training, lack of opportunities to start sustainable businesses, and the welfare of women and children in the sector.
Address the root causes of migration
The Vice President said the kayayei phenomenon cannot be treated in isolation.
She stressed that it must be understood within the broader context of migration, inequality and development.
“Both push and pull factors drive people to leave their communities,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted.
She added that “We must address the underlying conditions that make them vulnerable when they arrive in the cities.”
The Vice President emphasized that while skills development is important, it must be purposeful and tied to real outcomes.
“Training must be informed by the aspirations of the women themselves,” she said.
She further added that “It must also be linked to the tools, capital and opportunities needed to turn those skills into sustainable livelihoods.”
The Vice President expressed particular concern about children in kayayei communities, and said their welfare must remain central to any long-term intervention.
Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang also called for stronger measures to protect women from exploitation in markets and workspaces.
Commending the Ministry and the Kayayei Association for their continued engagement, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed government’s commitment to a more holistic response, one that creates opportunities, strengthens protection, and enables every person to realize their full potential.
Agnes Naa Momo Lartey said the Ministry will work with the Association to design interventions that reflect the lived experiences of kayayei and deliver measurable impact.
Management and staff of Owass FM have announced the passing of media personality, comedian and politician Seth Kwame Dzokoto following a medical emergency during a live morning show discussion at the station earlier today.
According to the station, Dzokoto was participating in a panel discussion on its morning show “Oman Nkoso” when he suddenly took ill and collapsed.
A statement from the station said its team immediately rushed him to the hospital for medical attention, but he was pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor upon arrival.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident, which occurred in the course of our regular programming. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who have been affected by his passing,” the statement said.
Management acknowledged that information about the incident is already circulating in the public domain, but appealed to the public and colleague media houses to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from circulating unverified information or speculation regarding the circumstances of his death.
Owass FM extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Seth Kwame Dzokoto.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The State through the Attorney General (AG) has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the suspension of the trial in the case of The Republic v Hanan Aludiba and Faiza Seidu.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal suspended the trial in the case. But the prosecution says it has filed an appeal against the suspension order.
According to the update, the law does not allow a criminal trial to be suspended simply because an accused person has complained about some of the charges on the charge sheet, particularly when those complaints were dismissed as meritless.
It argues that if the Court of Appeal’s decision is allowed to stand, no prosecution will ever be possible, since all it would take for a trial to be suspended is an accused person complaining about anything on the charge sheet.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
