The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, hosted a Mid-term review of Ghana’s Gender Agenda in Accra.

This was part of the Ministry’s mandate in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment guided by various national, regional and international frameworks.

Speaking at the forum, Nana Oye Lithur, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, gave a midterm report on Government’s Gender Agenda, stating that the 1992 constitution guaranteed gender equity and freedom of all persons from any act of discrimination on the basis of social, economic or any other reason.

She added that the ministry’s mandate was to implement programmes that will promote gender equity in political, social and economic development systems and outcomes in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Nana Oye also mentioned some programmes undertaken by the ministry as part of Government’s mandate to empower the Ghanaian woman which included: ending witchcraft accusation and human rights violations, female genital mutilation, shelter homes and Livelihood Empowerment against poverty.

The West African Regional Office Director of ABANTU for Development, and chair of the forum, Dr. Mrs. Rose Mensah-Kutin, indicated the mid-term review on Ghana’s Gender Agenda resonated with both global and regional processes as they place an emphasis on how gender equality, empowerment of women, women’s enjoyment of human rights and the eradication of poverty are essential to economic and social development.

There was also photo exhibition of the various projects, programmes and interventions carried out by the Ministry during the forum. This included Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP), a cash transfer system which has positively transformed and impacted the lives of many deprived households in the eradication of extreme poverty.

Beneficiaries of Fistula Repair Programme, Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) and an integrated alleged ‘witch’ gave live testimonies on how the ministry has been of great help to them and thus commended the Minister to carry on the good works.

Also in attendance were some gender-based civil society organisations and donor communities who commended the Ministry for it role in promoting Ghana’s gender agenda, however recommended the ministry to focus on the implementation of its policies and also push for the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill before the 2016 general elections.