Ghana committed to social development - Minister-designate for Gender

Ghana is determined to strengthen its efforts at eradicating poverty through increased investments in human development, social inclusion and insurance for the well-being and dignity of all citizens.  

Addressing the 55th United Nations Session of the Commission for Social Development at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Ghana’s representative, Otiko Afisah Djaba, outlined many policies, programmes and interventions under a comprehensive legal and policy framework to consolidate the gains made towards the creation of a just and equitable society and called for global partnerships to make them successful. 

The Minister-designate for Gender and Social Protection, is representing President Akufo -Addo, who she said has dedicated his life to fight for social justice.  

The event, being held in New York, is on the theme: “Strategies for Eradicating Poverty to Achieve Sustainable Development for All.”  

It is providing various platforms for members of the Commission and other key stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations, to advance the dialogue and efforts towards the eradication of poverty, targeting issues related to Ageing; Indigenous People; the Family; the Youth; Disability and Cooperatives.  

Madam Djaba said Ghana's objectives for the next 13 years are to halve the current percentage of poverty and augment employment opportunities for the poor through productive inclusion and decent work to ensure social security and social insurance.  

Ghana’s poverty level fell by more than half – 56.5%, to 24.2%, from 1992 to 2013, thereby achieving the Millennium Development Goal One. 

This is according to the Ghana Poverty Inequality Report, 2016. However, poverty levels remain very high in especially the three regions of the North, with the Upper West recording the highest of more than 70%. 

Explaining the commitment of the government in achieving more towards a society that would leave no one behind, Madam Djaba said 50 percent of the loans disbursed by the Micro Finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) would be given to women to improve their financial status and contribution towards economic growth.  

On the political front, she said concrete strategies would be implemented to increase the participation of women by at least 30 percent; and to push for the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill to promote and achieve gender equity.  

GNA