The Head of Office and Representative of UNESCO to Ghana, Edmond Moukala, led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, to explore strategic areas of collaboration aimed at advancing inclusive education, gender equality, and youth empowerment.
The discussions focused on promoting educational opportunities for young mothers, empowering them to return to school, and addressing the persistent stigma that limits their ability to thrive.
Both parties recognized the importance of inclusive policies and interventions that allow young mothers to pursue their education without discrimination.
Other key areas of interest included the provision of training in entrepreneurship and digital skills for women and girls. These efforts are expected to enhance economic empowerment and promote self-reliance among women.
The delegation also discussed in-depth issues related to gender-based violence and the urgent need for stronger advocacy and preventive measures. There was mutual agreement on the importance of integrating gender and reproductive health education into all educational curricula to help foster safer and healthier learning environments for children and adolescents.
The engagement further highlighted the need to promote girls’ participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and support women in the media space, thereby opening doors for leadership and representation in key sectors.
The Minister acknowledged that the Ministry, being a cross-cutting institution, works collaboratively with nearly all other Ministries to ensure that the needs of women, children, and other vulnerable populations are mainstreamed into national development.
She noted that UNESCO’s support aligns strongly with the government’s broader development goals.
She emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to championing the President’s priorities, which include: gender equality, inclusive education, youth empowerment, and poverty reduction.
Also present at the meeting was the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah.
