Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, met with the Serbian Minister for Family Welfare and Demography, Jelena Zaric Kovacevic, on the sidelines of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The gathering aimed to improve collaboration and share experiences in family systems, child protection, population management, and social protection programs.
In her opening remarks, Hon. Jelena Zaric Kovacevic greeted the Ghanaian delegation and stated that the meeting provided an opportunity for both countries to learn from one another and exchange ideas on family systems and population challenges.
She emphasized the importance of international collaboration in addressing social challenges affecting families and children.
In her lecture, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey highlighted Ghana’s traditional extended family system, which has historically functioned as a powerful support network for families.
However, she highlighted that interest in the nuclear family structure is progressively growing as a result of changing social and economic situations.
She went on to explain that Ghana’s population concerns are being addressed through a variety of programs and regulatory frameworks aimed at encouraging family welfare and sustainable development.
The Minister also described a number of initiatives, policies, and programs that the Ghanaian government is putting in place to support social and child protection.
Important ones are as follows:
* Revised Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Policy
* National Care Reform Roadmap (2024-2028)
* National Child and Family Welfare Policy
* National Gender Policy and
* Social Protection Act
She underlined that in order to guarantee that social protection programs reach vulnerable communities, the Ministry for Gender, Children, and Social Protection performs a coordinating role.
Hon. Kovacevic emphasised the value of taking an inter-sectoral approach to family and child protection issues.
She clarified that in order to successfully handle social protection issues in Serbia, the Ministry collaborates closely with other organisations, such as the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Education.
Additionally, she pointed out that while financial resources are crucial, effective measures should also rely on social programs, coordination, and strong policies in addition to financial initiatives.
On matters pertaining to family and child protection, both ministers decided to improve cooperation between respective ministries.
In order to support evidence-based policymaking and the successful execution of social protection programs, they also decided to investigate potential for social welfare professionals to develop their skills and improve data systems.
The meeting allowed both countries to share their experiences and discuss potential areas of collaboration in strengthening family welfare, child protection, and social protection.
Both sides underlined their commitment to ongoing interaction and partnership.
The Hon. Minister of the Republic of Serbia took advantage of the occasion to invite Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey to an international conference in Serbia in December 2026 to share Ghana’s family system and social protection experiences.
Source: newsthemegh.com