A nine-member ministerial advisory board has been inaugurated to advise the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) on policies, directions and operational strategies to ensure that the ministry achieves its mandate.

It has also been charged with the duty of promoting constant interaction between the ministry and the most deprived in society.

Members

The nine-member committee members are Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (Chairperson); Ms Benita Okity-Duah, (Deputy Minister MoGCSP); Mr Kwesi Armo-Himbson (Chief Director, MoGCSP); Dr O. Adutwum (Director, National Development Planning Committee); and Ms Charlotte Osei (Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education).

Others are Mrs Della Sowah (Member of Parliament for Kpando); Dr Rose Mensah Kutin (Abantu for Development); Dr Kpessa Whyte (Office of the President); and Mr Ernest Abotsi (Director, Faculty of Law, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration).

Gender Minister

Briefing the board members before they were sworn into office, Nana Oye Lithur said the ministry was mandated to ensure equality and equity, as well as facilitate the rights of children, the disabled and the vulnerable in society.

However, she said, the ministry needed the support of everyone to be able to meet its entire mandate, and added that the swearing in of the new board members was a step in the right direction.

According to her, the members have brought on board rich experiences that can transform the lives of the poor, orphans, vulnerable and persons with disability.

Nana Oye Lithur charged them to execute their responsibilities diligently without fear or favour for the good of the nation.

Challenges

The minister stated that her outfit was battling with two major challenges- funding and the requisite skills needed for the staff of the ministry.

She said the budgetary allocation for the ministry over the years had been very low, considering its mandate, and added, “The challenge is to find other sources of funding to support our activities.”