The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has paid a working visit to the 31st December Women’s Early Childhood Day Care Centre at Makola Market.

The visit was to assess operations at the centre and interact with children, caregivers and market women.

During the visit, the Minister met with the management of the centre to better understand their concerns, particularly those relating to early childhood care and development.

She emphasised the government’s commitment to child protection and the need to provide safe spaces for children of women working in the informal sector.

The Queen Mother of the Greater Accra Market Women Association welcomed the Minister and expressed appreciation for the visit.

She noted that market day care centres remain critical in supporting mothers who trade in the market. She appealed for continued support to improve infrastructure and caregiving resources.

In a gesture of support, the Minister donated GH¢10,000 to the Association and the centre to support the running of the facility. She also provided drinks and biscuits for the children.

Dr Lartey further interacted with several market women to understand their working conditions and explore how government interventions can better support them.

As part of the tour, the Minister visited the Makola Clinic to inspect the state of the facility and assess service delivery. She reiterated the Ministry’s resolve to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve child welfare and maternal support systems within market spaces.

Speaking to the media, the Minister explained that the visit formed part of follow-up actions after the revision of the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy.

She noted that the government, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, remains committed to child protection, particularly during the critical formative years from zero to eight.

She commended the leadership of the 31st December Day Care Centre for sustaining the initiative despite operational challenges.

According to her, effective day care systems play a key role in reducing child abuse and neglect.

The Minister also highlighted plans to modernise and sustain market day care centres beyond political transitions, expand infrastructure in response to growing demand, and extend the concept to major markets across the country.

The visit forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy and ensure that children, particularly those in market environments, are raised in safe and protective settings.