<<Print>>

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is offering the aged and poor GH�45 Ghana every month to enable them to make a living. So far 75,000 people are benefiting from the programme and the ministry is expected to increase the number to 150,000 people by the end of the year. Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection made this known, at the weekend when she toured Tema and Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region to ascertain at first hand problems facing women and children. The minister visited the Canoe Landing Beach at the Tema Fishing Harbour, U Compound Fish Smoking Base, Tema Manhyia Senior High School, Three Monkeys and Mama Africa and Ashaiman Main Market. She also interacted with the chiefs and explained the ministry�s agenda. Nana Oye Lithur ordered the Ghana Police Service to close and demolish the Three Monkeys and Mama Africa Camps, which are being used by young girls for prostitution. She said the ministry is sourcing funding from donors to implement programmes and projects that would lift the standards of women and protect children. Nana Oye Lithur said the ministry would work with financial institutions to give micro- credits to market women in order to improve upon their businesses. The priority of the ministry is to build day care centres, toilet facilities and clinics at the various market centres. Nii Odametey II, Chief Fishermen said the fishing communities are in need of basic facilities such as schools, clinics and toilet facilities and appealed to the minister to expedite action on the request. He said some fishermen are not complying with the Fishing Act 625 of 2002 and Legislative Instrument 2010 of 1968 and called on the authorities to ensure enforcement. Madam Doris Ahadzie, Leader of U Compound Fishing Base said although the community smoke about 80 per cent of fish harvest in Tema for export to the neighboring countries there is no support for them from government. She said it is important for government to support members with credit facilities. Madam Leticia Ayaba, Market Queen of Ashaiman appealed to the minister to collaborate with the Municipal Assembly, to provide electricity, market sheds for the market and tar the facility. She also appealed for a clinic, toilet facility and a day care centre for the market.