The Ga-Mashie Manyemei Kpee, a group of Queen Mothers from Ga-Mashie, has called for closer collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) to address key social issues affecting women, children and vulnerable persons within their communities.
The appeal was made during a courtesy call on the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, in Accra.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Planning Committee Chairman, Naa Amorkor Shika Futru I of Asere Amartse We, commended the Minister for her dedication to women’s empowerment, child protection and social inclusion, describing her leadership as an inspiration to the Queen Mothers.
The delegation highlighted a number of pressing challenges confronting their communities, including teenage pregnancy, school dropouts, domestic violence, drug abuse and poverty. They stressed that addressing these issues requires strong collaboration between government, traditional authorities and local communities.
As part of their commitment to community development, the Queen Mothers disclosed that they have established committees on Gender, Education, Welfare and Culture to coordinate interventions aimed at improving the welfare of women, children and families.
They also announced plans to embark on an outreach programme at the Usher Town Maternity Home, where they will interact with mothers and newborns while donating essential medical supplies and hospital logistics to support maternal and child healthcare.
The Queen Mothers further presented a number of development initiatives for which they are seeking the Ministry’s support. These include the establishment of a skills training centre to empower women and young people with employable skills, as well as organising a youth cooking competition alongside the donation of educational materials to support learning.
Responding to the delegation, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey applauded the Queen Mothers for their proactive approach and commitment to addressing the needs of their communities.
She outlined several interventions currently being implemented by the Ministry in the areas of women’s empowerment, child protection, social welfare and support for vulnerable groups, noting that the concerns raised by the Queen Mothers are consistent with the Ministry’s mandate.
The Minister emphasised that sustainable social development depends on strong partnerships at the community level, describing traditional leaders and Queen Mothers as key stakeholders in identifying emerging challenges, mobilising communities and supporting the implementation of government interventions.
She assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to explore practical areas of collaboration and encouraged the Queen Mothers to continue engaging with the Ministry’s relevant departments and agencies to develop sustainable partnerships around their proposed projects.
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey reiterated that promoting the welfare of women, protecting children and ensuring social inclusion are shared responsibilities that require the collective efforts of government, traditional authorities, civil society and local communities.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Ministry and the Ga-Mashie Queen Mothers to strengthening community-based interventions that improve the lives of women, children and vulnerable persons while advancing inclusive and sustainable development.
