Gender Ministry steps up community campaign against social vices

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in Ghana has intensified outreach efforts to combat social vices and safeguard vulnerable populations across the nation. This community-focused education campaign aims to foster awareness about social protection matters, empower residents to recognize and prevent abuse, and encourage reporting of unlawful practices that have become commonplace in certain areas.

A recent engagement took place at Tema Newtown, locally known as Manhean, where traditional leaders, clergy members, schoolchildren, individuals with disabilities, government officials, and other community members gathered to learn about social vices, prevention strategies, and avenues for reporting abuse and other unlawful activities.

Speaking to the press, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, explained that the program was specifically designed to deliver social protection education directly to communities in a language that was easily comprehensible. Dr Lartey emphasized that the government, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, remains dedicated to minimizing vulnerabilities nationwide.

She noted that the chosen communities were identified through data collected by the Ministry, rather than any discriminatory intent. Dr Lartey stated that while no community was singled out, areas along the coast were identified as particularly vulnerable and in need of increased attention.

The Ministry had previously conducted similar outreach efforts in communities such as Ada, Nungua, and Buipe. Tema Newtown was the most recent addition to this series of engagements. Dr Lartey called upon parents and other responsible citizens to actively support the campaign by reporting any instances of abuse or illegal activities they may observe.

She stressed that community members play a crucial role in aiding authorities in identifying and addressing social vices, as government resources are limited in their ability to monitor every household and community.

Dr Lartey highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in creating safer communities. She urged the public to act as each other’s guardians, thereby reducing the prevalence of social vices. The Mayor of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Ebi Bright, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, praising the Minister for taking social protection education directly to residents.

Mayor Bright encouraged the youth to take advantage of the educational resources provided, discouraging involvement in drug abuse and other social vices, and emphasizing the future leadership role that young people would assume should current leaders step down.