Ghana launches social protection and gender equity regulations

Ghana has introduced the Social Protection Act, 2025, along with two accompanying regulations, to bolster support for vulnerable populations and promote gender equity within public institutions. At the launch of these new legal instruments, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman emphasized that the framework must result in practical assistance for vulnerable households and increased opportunities for women in decision-making roles.

She recognized the existing government initiatives such as LEAP, School Feeding Programme, National Health Insurance Scheme, and Free Senior High School as foundational supports, but stressed the need to address coverage, coordination, and financing gaps for enhanced effectiveness.

The Social Protection Act establishes a structured national system encompassing social assistance, insurance, emergency aid, institutional frameworks, and the formation of a Social Protection Fund. The accompanying regulations are intended to streamline implementation, refine beneficiary targeting, and bolster accountability in social protection service delivery.

The Vice President also urged institutions under the affirmative action framework to actively pursue gender equity, stating that mere declarations of support must be complemented by concrete actions, ensuring women receive fair consideration in societal decisions and institutions.

Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, highlighted the Ministry's priority to ensure the effective implementation of the new legal instruments. Her department plans to make the laws easily understood by citizens through simplified explanations and local-language communication, providing implementing bodies with practical guidelines, reporting templates, and training.

The Ministry also aims to enhance data systems, create accessible complaint channels, and publish progress reports to facilitate monitoring by Parliament, civil society organizations, the media, and citizens, urging public institutions and frontline officers to regard these instruments as vital tools for protecting vulnerable individuals and fostering equal opportunities.