The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has intensified efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and social vices in communities across the country through a series of community engagements.

The initiative seeks to educate residents on social protection issues and empower them to identify, prevent and report forms of abuse and other practices that may be considered normal in some communities but are prohibited by law.

The latest engagement was held at Tema Newtown, also known as Manhean, bringing together traditional leaders, members of the clergy, school children, persons with disabilities, government officials and other community members.

A forum was organized as part of the programme where facilitators from the Ministry educated participants on the dangers associated with social vices, measures to prevent them, and the appropriate channels for reporting cases of abuse and other unlawful activities.

Speaking to the media, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said the programme was designed to engage community members in a language they could easily understand.

We designed this programme to come down to the communities and engage the people in a language that they understand, so that they can appreciate what social protection is all about and know how they can contribute to protecting themselves and others.”

Dr. Naa Momo Lartey stressed that government, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, remains committed to reducing vulnerabilities across the country.

“Government, under the leadership of President Mahama, is committed to discharging its mandate and taking the necessary steps to reduce vulnerabilities to the barest minimum.”

She explained that the selection of communities for the engagement was based on data gathered by the Ministry, rather than discrimination against particular communities.

“We are not discriminating against any community. We are following the data, and the data tells us that some communities, especially along the coastal areas, are extremely vulnerable and therefore require our attention.”

The Minister further said the Ministry has already engaged communities including Ada, Nungua and Buipe with Tema Newtown being the latest beneficiary.

She urged parents and other well-meaning Ghanaians to help government fight social vices by reporting abuse and other activities prohibited by law.

“We are appealing to parents and all well-meaning Ghanaians to help us eradicate these social vices. If you see any form of abuse or something that the law considers illegal, please report it to the appropriate authorities.”

Dr. Naa Momo Lartey further emphasised the importance of community members becoming the eyes and ears of the authorities.

“Government cannot see everything that is happening in every home and in every community. But if we educate the people and they understand how the law operates, they can assist the security agencies and the relevant authorities to fight these social vices.”

She expounded that the collective responsibility of community members could significantly reduce the prevalence of social vices.

“When we all become each other’s keepers, we will be able to minimize these social vices and create safer communities for everyone.”

Also present at the gathering was the Mayor of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Ebi Bright, who expressed appreciation to the Minister for bringing education directly to the community.

“We are very excited about this initiative because the Minister has taken the bold step to come down to the community and educate our people directly on issues of social protection and how we can reduce social vices.”

She appealed to the youth to take their education seriously and stay away from activities that could jeopardize their future.

“I want to encourage the youth to embrace this education, stay away from drug abuse and other social vices, and focus on their future because they are the people who will eventually take up the mantle when we are no longer here.”

The Ministry noted that similar community engagements will continue in other vulnerable communities as part of efforts to strengthen social protection, prevent abuse and reduce social vices across the country.