The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) is pursuing the use of technology to ensure citizens have easy access to valuable social protection services and interventions.
As part of the effort, a Single Window Case Management System (Help Line of Hope) has been established within the Ministry to receive complaints through toll-free numbers 0800 800 800/ 0800 900 900 and SMS short Code 8020.
The Ministry, in collaboration with stakeholders, has also launched the Boame Application and Orange Support Center, a technological platform that includes a mobile app and a toll-free number 0800 111 222.
Sector Minister, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, disclosed this on Tuesday, 22nd June 2021 in a keynote address delivered on her behalf at a Durbar and Training for Queen Mothers as advocates against inequalities and harmful practices.
The initiative, she said, demonstrates efforts from stakeholders to bring to zero all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ghana.
According to her, the Ministry has initiated a number of programmes to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality and key among them is the promotion of girls’ clubs and camps aimed at empowering them, increasing their sense of self-worth as well as sharpen their leadership and team skills to effectively function in their environment.
“Mentorship programmes are being undertaken to deepen the knowledge of adolescent girls on Sexual and Reproductive Health/Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.”
“To safeguard and promote the rights of children, the following interventions have been instituted: School sensitization outreach programmes to eliminate violence and abuse in schools and also promote children as agents of change in the communities. Developed and implement a ten-year Strategic Plan to End Child Marriage in Ghana,” he stated.
She acknowledged the immense contribution of Queen Mothers and their continued support in the delivery of the Ministry’s mandate to ensure no one is left behind in the developmental process of the country.
She said, “The Ministry appreciates the role of Queen Mothers in support of the implementation of our mandate related to Gender, Child Rights and Social Protection.”
“Queen Mothers play significant roles in the development of their communities through their involvement in community planning and development and are seen as preservers of our traditional values and customs.”
“Queen Mothers also actively participate and contribute to gender-related issues in community planning and development such as the provision of housing, education, healthcare, water, sanitation and transport services, protection and development of children discipline, just to mention but a few.”
She expressed hope that collaboration with the Queen Mothers will continue for the betterment of Ghanaian society.
In a welcome address read on her behalf by the Director of the Department of Gender, Chief Director of the Ministry Dr. Afisah Zakariah, stated that the programme has been carefully designed to equip Queen Mothers with key emerging issues in society that have a negative impact on human development that include human trafficking, Female Genital Mutilation, child marriages among many others.
The durbar, she said, is also intended to offer an opportunity to the Ministry to dialogue with them and formulate policy direction in addressing these issues to ensure the Ministry fully achieves its mandate.
“The Ministry has the mandate to ensure a harmonious society in which the survival and development of the sexes, children, the vulnerable, and persons with disabilities are guaranteed,” she said.
President of the Queen Mothers Platform, Nana Amponsah Dokua III, noted that to achieve collective feedback in the individual efforts made by Queen mothers, there is a need to consolidate these efforts by uniting as a group to pursue a common national agenda, share and learn from each other.
Queen mothers, she said, have always existed as an association but stressed the renewed vigour under the designation ‘Queen Mothers Platform’ and the well-organized governance arrangement that has been set has positioned the group for purposeful engagement.
She appealed for a strong partnership with the ministry to pursue the cause of women, children, and other vulnerable persons in the country
Source: MyPublisher24.com
