Nana Oye Lithur, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with National Health Insurance Authority has registered about 1,000 head potters (kayaye) from Mallam Atta, Nima, Mamobi, Madina, Tema Station, Agbogbloshie, 31st and Makola Markets onto the National Health Insurance Scheme free of charge. This is in accordance with the Ministry’s mandate to empower the vulnerable to enable them access health care with ease.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur said, head potters have been identified as a key vulnerable groups that have to be supported hence the need for such initiative.
She added that the Ministry is rolling out interventions that would ensure that services in respect to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Kayayei are available and accessible to female head potters.
She said two GBV response centers have been established in Agbogbloshie and Mallam Atta markets where head potters can access social services which is an intervention to build confidence in vulnerable persons including women, girls and children to be able to resist GBV.
Director of membership and regional operation NHIA, Mr. Benjamin Kusi speaking on behalf of the Acting Chief executive of NHIA Nathaniel Otoo stressed that the NHIS is a pro poor initiative to ensure equity in the health care coverage and guarantee access by the poor to health care services.
He added that the collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and other partners underscores the determination of the NHIA to affirm trust and faithfulness as the basis of engagement and collaboration with all cherished stakeholders.
The president of the Kayayei Association of Ghana, Mr. Mohammed I. Salifu commended the Ministry for such a laudable initiative adding that the exercise is a “bigger project for kayayei” and must not be politicized.
He also brought to the attention of the Ministry, some head potters who are being trafficked to engage in prostitution outside the country by some groups of persons and asked that the proper investigation be carried to bring perpetrators of such acts to book.
The female porters, as part of the programme were also feted and entertained with music.
