The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey has called for greater involvement of traditional authorities in the implementation of social protection programmes, saying the responsibility should not rest solely with government.

According to the Minister, traditional leaders are strategically positioned to identify vulnerable persons within their communities and help mobilise beneficiaries for government’s social protection interventions.

Speaking at a Community Dialogue Series in Teshie, Dr. Naa Momo Lartey said traditional authorities could play a critical role in ensuring that social protection programmes reach the people who need them most.

“Social protection cannot be the responsibility of government alone. Our traditional leaders are closer to the people and understand the needs and vulnerabilities within their communities.”

She said involving traditional authorities would improve the identification of beneficiaries and strengthen community participation in social protection programmes.

“They know the vulnerable people in their communities, and therefore, their involvement can help us identify the right beneficiaries and ensure that the interventions get to the people they are intended for.”

The Minister’s call comes amid growing demands for a more inclusive and decentralised approach to social protection, particularly to ensure that government interventions reach vulnerable persons at the grassroots.

Dr. Naa Momo Lartey also called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to dedicate part of their Internally Generated Funds (IGFs) to support victims of abuse with medical and legal processes.

She noted that financial difficulties often discourage victims of sexual violence, domestic violence and other forms of abuse from pursuing their cases.

“We need our MMDAs to begin to think about how they can use part of their internally generated funds to support victims of abuse, especially with medical reports and the legal processes involved in pursuing their cases.”

The Minister explained that although some funds have been established to assist victims with medical reports and legal procedures, additional support at the local level is necessary.

She said victims who are already traumatised by abuse should not be forced to abandon their cases because they cannot afford the associated expenses.

“Sometimes the victim is already going through trauma, and when you add financial constraints to the process, the person may simply give up. We cannot allow financial difficulties to become another barrier to justice.”

She urged the assemblies to establish sustainable mechanisms to support victims and ensure that financial challenges do not prevent them from accessing justice.

“I am appealing to the assemblies to consider setting aside portions of their internally generated funds to create sustainable support systems for victims. This will go a long way to ensuring that cases are pursued and victims receive the support they need.”

The engagement forms part of efforts by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to deepen public awareness and community dialogue on social protection and issues including sexual violence, child marriage, domestic violence and other forms of abuse.

The Minister also stressed that effective social protection requires collaboration among government institutions, traditional authorities, local assemblies, communities and other stakeholders.

“If we work together at the national, local and community levels, we can build a stronger social protection system that responds effectively to the needs of vulnerable people.”