Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has called on traditional leaders, especially queen mothers, to help empower the vulnerable in society.

She said her Ministry would embark on a massive national campaign against gender-based violence, and called for the support from the traditional rulers during the exercise.

Mrs Oye Lithur made the call during a working visit to the Akwamu Traditional Area in the Eastern Region.

The Minister said issues concerning women, the aged, the disabled, the marginalized, as well as the vulnerable, must feature in traditional and national affairs.

She said the Ministry would engage the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service to combat crimes against women, children and the vulnerable.

“It is my hope that our traditional women leaders will inspire other women in their communities to be assertive and defend their rights to be treated with human dignity,” she stated.

Mrs Oye Lithur stated that the government had allocated GH¢30 million to support the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme for 2013.

She said the government, in addition, was giving GH¢45.00 to support poor households every month. These include orphans, vulnerable children, and those above 65 years without support, and persons with severe disabilities.

“I urge all the various assemblies to be transparent and objective in ensuring that those, who actually qualify and are in need of this service, actually benefit from it,” she said.

Mrs Oye Lithur called for a close collaboration between the Ministry of Gender, Government and traditional leaders, to help effectively implement the mandate to achieve national development.

Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, Chief of Akwamu and Nana Afiakoma II, the paramount queen mother of Akwamu Traditional Area, expressed their gratitude to the Minister for the visit and pledged the traditional leaders’ support to the Ministry’s objectives.