The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has assured Ghanaians that the recently passed Social Protection Bill—awaiting presidential assent—will provide a robust legal framework to address long-standing challenges in the country’s social protection system.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Lartey described the new legislation as a comprehensive and much-needed step toward coordinating and strengthening interventions that support vulnerable groups across the country.
“This Act represents a significant milestone in our efforts to ensure that social protection is not treated as charity or a favour, but as a right,” she stated.
Dr. Lartey, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Krowor in the Greater Accra Region, expressed her gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to shaping the bill into a law fit for purpose.
She noted that the Act is designed to harmonize various social protection initiatives across sectors, providing a clear regulatory structure to guide their implementation.
“When you consider advanced countries, social protection is a critical pillar of national development. It’s not something to take lightly.
As the Bible says, the poor will always be with us. Vulnerability exists everywhere—and it can affect anyone,” she emphasized.
The Minister highlighted the unpredictable nature of vulnerability, stressing that individuals can move from stability to hardship with little warning.
“There’s a thin line between being okay and becoming vulnerable. One moment you’re fine; the next, circumstances can change unexpectedly.
That’s why it’s crucial to have laws in place that protect people before they reach that point,” she explained.
Dr. Lartey also pointed to the government’s ongoing Reset Agenda, under which numerous flagship social programmes have been introduced.
These interventions, she said, require a strong regulatory foundation to be truly effective and sustainable.
As part of its broader mandate, the new Social Protection Act will ensure all existing and future interventions are aligned and implemented with consistency.
This includes programmes such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), support for women and children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and pregnant or lactating mothers who face temporary or prolonged vulnerability.
“These groups will be prioritised under the law, ensuring they are not left behind in our national development efforts,” Dr. Lartey said.
She concluded by underscoring the importance of treating social protection not as an optional welfare gesture but as a vital, rights-based commitment to the wellbeing of all Ghanaians.
Story By Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
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