Ghana has reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to breaking down the barriers that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential.
Speaking at a high-level United Nations side event, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, assured the international community that the nation is moving beyond mere legislation to ensure real-world gender justice.
The event, titled “Beyond the Law: Closing Gaps in Anti-Discrimination and Gender Justice,” was co-organized by PES Women and the Progressive Alliance.
During her address, Dr. Lartey emphasized that while passing laws is a critical first step, the true measure of success lies in how those laws translate into meaningful protection and opportunity in the daily lives of citizens.
Addressing the global audience, the Minister acknowledged that many women still face significant hurdles when seeking justice, ranging from economic vulnerability and harmful social norms to a lack of awareness regarding their legal rights.
She noted that in Ghana, the government recognizes that promoting gender equality demands more than just a seat at the table; it requires robust institutions, accessible services, and deep-rooted community engagement.
Ghana’s legal landscape has seen significant fortifications over the years
Dr. Lartey highlighted foundational laws such as the Domestic Violence Act of 2007 and the Labour Act of 2003, which promotes equal pay and workplace protection.
She also pointed to the criminalization of female genital mutilation and child marriage as evidence of the country’s protective stance.
Most recently, the enactment of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, stands as a landmark achievement designed to dismantle structural barriers in governance and leadership.
Beyond the courtroom, the Minister detailed how the National Gender Policy (2025-2034) is currently providing a strategic roadmap for mainstreaming equality across all sectors of development.
This is bolstered by the Social Protection Act, which expands access to essential services for the most vulnerable.
Practical initiatives are also playing a central role in this mission
The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme continues to provide a financial lifeline to impoverished households, many of which are headed by women. Furthermore, the government
is actively building the capacity of law enforcement and judicial officers to handle cases of gender-based violence with greater sensitivity and effectiveness.
*Community-level intervention remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s strategy.*
Dr. Lartey explained that by engaging traditional leaders, chiefs, and elders, the state is working to shift social norms from the ground up.
Local structures, such as Community Child Protection Committees, help identify abuse and raise awareness at the district level, ensuring that justice is not a distant concept but a local reality.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Lartey stressed that closing the gap between law and justice requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach and strong international partnerships.
She reiterated that the Government of Ghana cannot achieve these goals in isolation and is called for continued collaboration with civil society and development partners to build an inclusive system where every woman and girl can participate fully in national development.
Source: Felix NYAABA/expressnewsghana.com