Gender Minister Calls For Media Collaboration To Achieve Vision

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisah Djaba, has urged the media to collaborate with her Ministry to achieve the vision of ensuring equal opportunities for all Ghanaians.

She said her doors will always be open to the media and all other professionals and entities, who will wish to offer suggestions and work with the Ministry to, particularly, enhance the lives of children and other vulnerable groups.
   
Speaking at a media soiree, organised by the Ministry, to foster a close relationship, and to brief them on her vision, Madam Otiko Djaba said her outfit will vigorously pursue all the existing policies and programs aimed at improving the lives of the vulnerable.

She said, "programs such as the National School Feeding Program and the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) will be enhanced to ensure quality, improve enrollment and retention rates.The enhancement strategies will also help in cost reduction, promote home grown foods and ensure ready market for local farmers."

She said other policies, including the Affirmative  Action Bill and the Disability Act would also be amended and resubmitted to Parliament for passage to safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups. 

Madam Otiko Djaba said to reduce poverty among female households, the Government, through the Ministry, would set aside 50 per cent of the Micro Finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) funds for women applicants for their empowerment.
   
The Ministry, she said, intends to also work in collaboration with other state institutions and sectors to develop a retirement income scheme for the informal sector as a major step towards poverty eradication.
    
Madam Otiko Djaba said the National Household Register was being developed and if completed, will help ensure proper targeting in identifying those with actual need for support. 


SOURCE: GNA