Sunday, 23 August 2026

Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Sunday, 23 August 2026

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Ghanaian press · Organization

Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection

Government ministry addressing gender equality, child protection, social welfare, and adolescent health; leads initiatives on child marriage elimination, teenage pregnancy prevention, and trafficking victim support.

2026-04-272026-08-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

April 2026
27 AprJoy Online
… The initiative, led by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, is aimed at extending support to more vulnerable populations nationwide. …
Gov’t begins enrolment of 400,000 new households onto LEAP Programme
27 AprJoy Online
… Crucially, the initiative is closely aligned with Ghana’s national development priorities through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, which has been actively involved from the design stage. …
Plan International Ghana leads major drive to strengthen women’s rights and youth advocacy

Society

GFD condemns BOGISS for disciplining abuse victim with autism

The News

The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations has condemned Bolgatanga Girls' Senior High School's disciplinary action against a 14-year-old autistic student allegedly sexually abused by two school watchmen, calling it "institutional betrayal" and demanding reversal of all sanctions. The GFD argues that a child cannot be guilty of her own abuse and should have been treated as requiring protection rather than as a perpetrator.

21 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 21 August

GFD condemns BOGISS for disciplining abuse victim with autism
The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations has condemned Bolgatanga Girls' Senior High School's disciplinary action against a 14-year-old autistic student allegedly sexually abused by two school watchmen, calling it "institutional betrayal" and demanding reversal of all sanctions. The GFD argues that a child cannot be guilty of her own abuse and should have been treated as requiring protection rather than as a perpetrator.
21 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 19 August

Gender Department alarmed by rising teenage pregnancy in Ashanti
The Department of Gender in the Ashanti Region has raised concern over increasing teenage pregnancy among adolescents and stressed the need for sustained collaboration among parents, schools, communities, health professionals, government agencies and development partners to address contributing factors. The concern was raised during sensitisation workshops organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund and the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, aimed at strengthening adolescent-friendly health services and improving access to sexual and reproductive health information.
19 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 17 August

Gender Ministry wins 2026 Civil Service women's football tournament
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection won the 2026 Civil Service Inter-Ministerial Women's Football Tournament, defeating the Ministry of Defence in the final at Accra Sports Stadium with a decisive free-kick goal. The victory was part of Civil Service Week celebrations themed "The Resetting Agenda for Sustainable Development in Ghana: The Civil Service's Responsibilities."
17 August 2026 · Daily Guide →
Ministry targets zero child marriage by 2030, seeks school support for teenage mothers
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection called for stronger support systems to help teenage mothers return to school after childbirth, noting that while a "Back to School" policy exists, many do not return due to inadequate support. The ministry aims to achieve zero per cent child marriage by 2030 in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
17 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Friday 14 August

LEAP expansion adds 4,372 new beneficiaries in Jirapa Municipality
The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme expanded in Jirapa Municipality, adding 4,372 new vulnerable households to the scheme, increasing total beneficiaries from 2,553 to 6,932. The Municipal Chief Executive described the expansion as major support for households struggling to afford basic necessities.
14 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 11 August

GEA seeks Gender Ministry support for Female MPs leadership programme
The Ghana Employers' Association has engaged the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to extend its Female Future Programme—a leadership development initiative implemented for eight to nine years—to female Members of Parliament. The GEA noted that similar initiatives in other African countries had produced positive outcomes, and the Minister welcomed the proposal as a step toward advancing gender equality.
11 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Vice President calls for sustainable livelihoods for head porters
Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called for interventions addressing Kayayei (head porters) challenges to go beyond skills training and include sustainable livelihoods, protection from exploitation, and improved welfare for children. She emphasised that the Kayayei phenomenon must be understood within the broader context of migration, inequality and development, and that training must be supported with tools, capital and market access to break cycles of economic vulnerability.
11 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Vice President urges broader kayayei support beyond skills training
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang called for interventions addressing head porters (kayayei) to extend beyond skills training to provide capital and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, emphasizing that solutions must address migration, inequality, and development within the broader context of urban migration and vulnerability.
11 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 10 August

Thirty-three trafficking victims rescued, some forced to pay GH¢20,000
Ghana's Anti-Human Trafficking Unit rescued 33 girls and young women from trafficking and sexual exploitation in a weekend operation; survivors reported being forced to pay up to GH¢20,000 for their freedom. The operation, supported by child rights organisation Challenging Heights, revealed signs of an organised commercial trafficking network involving recruitment, transportation, and financial targets.
10 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Vice President thanks Brazilian Ambassador for strengthening Ghana relations
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang bid farewell to outgoing Brazilian Ambassador Mariana Gonçalves Madeira, thanking her on behalf of President Mahama and the Ghanaian government for her service. The Vice President highlighted Ghana and Brazil's deep historical and cultural ties, and discussed areas of cooperation including agriculture, energy, security, trade, and international initiatives.
10 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 7 August

Vice President meets outgoing Brazilian Ambassador, affirms partnership
Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang received the outgoing Brazilian Ambassador and commended her contributions to Ghana-Brazil relations. Discussions focused on deepening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, energy, security, trade, and social development, with particular emphasis on energy sector partnerships involving Petrobras.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 3 August

Gender Ministry, IJM renew child protection partnership commitment
The International Justice Mission has reaffirmed its partnership with Ghana's Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to combat child trafficking, exploitation and violence. The Minister noted the collaboration has yielded results including strengthened child protection systems, joint rescue operations, and public education on child protection laws.
3 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 1 August

Gender Ministry, UNFPA convene stakeholders on adolescent pregnancy strategy
Ghana's Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and UNFPA held a stakeholder coordination meeting to strengthen implementation of the Revised Adolescent Pregnancy Strategy (2026–2030), bringing together government, civil society, academia, religious leaders, youth groups and media to improve collaboration and address the issue of adolescent pregnancy, which affects about 15 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19.
1 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 30 July

Ministry donates 2,000 laptops to University of Ghana for coding programme
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technologies and Innovation presented 2,000 laptops to the University of Ghana to support the One Million Coders Programme, bringing the total laptops supplied to 2,500. The initiative aims to equip young Ghanaians with skills in coding, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development and data analytics.
30 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 28 July

Gender ministry engages transport workers on equality and child marriage
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection held a dialogue with drivers and transport workers at Tema Lorry Station in partnership with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union and UN support, aiming to encourage men and boys to advocate for gender equality and help eliminate harmful practices including child marriage.
28 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 27 July

KNUST Gender Office proposes partnership with Gender Ministry
The Gender Inclusion and Vulnerability Office of KNUST has expressed interest in partnering with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to advance gender equality and inclusion, and support vulnerable groups within tertiary institutions. The newly established office is focused on promoting gender equality, safeguarding vulnerable members of the university community, and mainstreaming gender considerations across academic and administrative structures.
27 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Gender Ministry launches committee to review National Ageing Policy
Ghana's Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has inaugurated a National Technical Committee on Ageing to review and update the National Ageing Policy in response to the country's changing demographic profile. The committee comprises representatives from key institutions including Health, the National Population Council, Ghana Statistical Service, and the Attorney-General's Department.
27 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 16 July

Ga-Mashie queen mothers call for gender ministry partnership
The Ga-Mashie Manyemei Kpee has appealed to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection for closer collaboration to address social challenges including teenage pregnancy, school dropouts, domestic violence, substance abuse and poverty affecting women, children and vulnerable groups in their communities.
16 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 15 July

Gender Ministry and CSOs strengthen coordination on gender-based violence
Ghana's Domestic Violence Secretariat held a coordination meeting with civil society organisations and state institutions to improve collaboration in managing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence cases, identifying service delivery gaps and enhancing referral systems for survivors.
15 July 2026 · Joy Online →
144 Ghanaian migrants return from Libya under IOM programme
The International Organization for Migration, in collaboration with Ghana's government, has facilitated the safe return of 144 Ghanaian migrants from Libya under its Voluntary Humanitarian Return Programme. The returnees arrived at Accra International Airport on July 14, 2026, and received immigration, health screening, and immediate support including food, psychosocial assistance, and access to reintegration programmes offering livelihood support and vocational skills training.
15 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 7 July

Floods kill 35 across Ghana regions; 58,000 displaced
The Interior Minister told Parliament that recent floods in June have killed 35 people across the Central, Greater Accra, and Volta regions, with six still missing and 58,000 displaced. The Central Region recorded 18 deaths, Greater Accra 13, while Volta also reported fatalities.
7 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 3 July

Foreign Affairs expedites passport replacement for flood victims
Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced an expedited process to replace passports lost or damaged in recent floods, with replacements to be processed within one week of contact. Affected persons can call a dedicated hotline between July 3 and July 17, 2026, providing personal details for processing.
3 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 29 June

Comedian Akabenezer's sexualised comedy normalises harm against women
An opinion piece argues that Ghanaian comedian Ras Nene (Akabenezer) increasingly uses skits depicting sexual conquest and reducing women to objects, normalising harmful attitudes in a context where sexual violence remains high in Ghana.
29 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Gender Ministry prioritizes vulnerable groups in flood response
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection says it will ensure children, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups receive priority support during flood response and long-term recovery efforts across Ghana.
29 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 26 June

Gender and Finance ministries explore compliance incentives for Affirmative Action Act
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is collaborating with the Finance Ministry to develop incentive packages for institutions complying with the Affirmative Action Act, 2024, including tax benefits and preferential access to government contracts.
26 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 22 June

Gender Ministry holds community dialogue on social protection in Northern Region
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has begun a three-day community dialogue in the Nanton District to strengthen awareness and participation in welfare programmes including LEAP, the School Feeding Programme, and NHIS, while registering indigent residents for healthcare coverage.
22 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 19 June

Ghana's Sylvia Ama Adusu elected first African woman ITLOS judge
Dr. Sylvia Ama Adusu has been elected Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for the 2026–2035 term, becoming the first African woman to serve on the Tribunal. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection hailed the achievement as a milestone for Ghana and for women's leadership globally.
19 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 17 June

Ghana showcases social protection reforms at Ethiopia continental event
Ghana's Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection led a delegation to a knowledge exchange event in Addis Ababa on Ethiopia's Productive Safety Net Programme Phase Five, where continental leaders discussed strengthening social protection systems to support vulnerable populations and advance women's economic empowerment.
17 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 9 June

Gender Ministry probes meal quality concerns at Buaduyili Primary School
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has launched investigations into concerns raised by parents and teachers over the quality and quantity of meals served to pupils under the Ghana School Feeding Programme at Buaduyili Primary School in Nanumba North Municipality, Northern Region.
9 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 7 June

Ablakwa defends Ghanaian evacuees from South African xenophobic violence
Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has defended the integrity of Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa due to xenophobic violence, describing them as national treasures. At Accra International Airport on June 6, 2026, while welcoming a second batch of 345 evacuees, Ablakwa rejected hostile rhetoric used by South African vigilante groups that portrayed foreign nationals as criminals and troublemakers.
7 June 2026 · Joy Online →