Social Protection Policy to fulfill govt promise

Mr Antwi-Boasiako Sekyere, the Eastern Regional Minister, has observed that the development of a National Social Protection Policy would not only benefit the less privileged in society, but also give meaning to government’s promise to promote good governance and investment in people.

He explained that Ghana had a sizeable number of vulnerable people, and overlooking their rights would spell doom for the country.

The Minister made these remarks in an address read on his behalf at a consultative workshop to develop a National Social Protection (NSP) Policy in Koforidua.

The workshop was attended by District Coordinating Directors, Heads of Departments, Regional Directors of the Department of Social Welfare, traditional rulers, representatives of youth and disabled groups, among others.

Opening the workshop, Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said social protection was a strategic tool for poverty reduction and narrowing the inequality gab.

She said many countries in Africa and the world had resolved to make growth inclusive and eliminate poverty and exclusion by 2030.

Nana Oye urged the participants to strongly consider the definition of social protection for the country, and institute a framework for coordination at all levels of society.

She also urged the participants to consider how to ensure a sustainable mechanism to finance the policy.

Nana Oye gave the assurance that the development of the policy would be followed by the drafting of a legislative bill on social protection to provide the legal framework for the policy.