Gender Advocates hail the nomination of Nana Oye

Gender Advocates across the country on Monday hailed the nomination of Nana Oye Lithur as the Minister designate for the Gender, Children and Social Protection by President John Dramani Mahama.

The Gender Advocates consider the nomination as an endorsement by President Mahama’s government of the work of advocates across the country, and government's firm demonstration to deal with issues affecting the Ghanaian population holistically.

Officials from the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana), African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), WILDAF Ghana, and ABANTU for Development who spoke to the Ghana News Agency in Accra expressed confidence in the capability of Nana Oye Lithur to deliver.

The advocates pledged their commitment to support the Minister designate to promote gender equality, women's empowerment and sustainable socio-economic development through gender mainstreaming in the development process, capacity building, social protection, community participation and public-private partnerships.

Meanwhile Dr Isaac Amo Antwi, a Takoradi based Social Worker condemned attempts by a group calling itself the Concerned Clergy Association of Ghana to oppose the appointment of Nana Oye Lithur to the position of Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection.

Dr Amo Antwi noted that the Clergy should be interested in protecting the interests of every citizen irrespective of their gender or religious orientation. “They should open up their arms and receive people and not close their doors.

“The church and other religious groupings should lead the crusade for the protection of gays and lesbians as these people need help, care and love to reform rather than the social exclusion stand by some clergy”.

Dr Amo Antwi advised Bishop Prince Benny, founder of Wood Benny Wood Ministries International who has launched the attack against the nomination of the Nana Oye Lithur to back out.

Bishop Benny challenged the appointment of Nana Oye Lithur as Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, and questioned whether it was for the advancement of human rights or the promotion of homosexuality.

Dr Amo Antwi said the mandate of the Ministry was to provide policy guidance for women and children's development services.

The Ministry will aim at promoting the welfare and protection of women and children, will be responsible for putting in place systems to develop instruments, structures, policies, guidelines and programmes for the welfare of Ghanaians.

In a related development Mr Suborvi Korblavi Adukpo, a social worker stated: “If we Christians can respond to the very pressing socio-economic, political and environmental issues threatening our society the way we respond to the issue of homosexuality our society will see a tremendous progress.

“If only we could use this very platform to rally believers to rid Ghana of the filth that has assumed a major health hazard”.