By Philip Antoh
The Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has advocated for a cohesive national strategy aimed at safeguarding the vulnerable and promoting gender inclusivity across all sectors.
This call to action coincided with her participation alongside the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in the launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons.
During the event, themed “Catch it Early; Treat it Right; Survive it,” the Vice President, in collaboration with Gender Minister Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting to inaugurate the initiative.
The ceremony featured breast cancer screening sessions, musical performances, and intergenerational interactions, where the Vice President engaged in light-hearted moments with the elderly, even joining them in dance.
“Today serves as a call to action to learn how to care for our people in various circumstances, including those with disabilities. They are unique individuals, and we must regard them as God’s special gifts to us.”
She extended her congratulations to the Ministry and its personnel, expressing solidarity with individuals affected by breast cancer, and emphasized the necessity of ongoing support for these groups to lead normal lives free from undue burdens.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also took the opportunity to address recent events at KNUST Senior High School, where an assistant headmaster was dismissed following a viral video that implicated him in a misconduct scandal involving a student.
“This is unfortunate news,” she remarked, voicing her disappointment that such incidents persist despite ongoing efforts to enhance awareness and accountability.
The Vice President elaborated that issues of abuse and exploitation extend beyond educational institutions, being fundamentally linked to power dynamics and responsibility, and she urged for continued public education on these matters.
“It is also a matter of some individuals not being attentive to the nature of the responsibilities assigned to us in any context or manner,” she stated.
She emphasized the necessity for institutions to be held accountable, while highlighting that discussions on gender should not exclude men and boys, asserting that a comprehensive approach is essential for transforming attitudes across the nation.
Gender Discourse
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged Ghanaians to reconsider the inclination to associate gender solely with women, indicating that men and other vulnerable groups also need safeguarding.
“Where are the men in the room? Do not be concerned, you are all included. Is that clear? It is extremely important,” the Vice President remarked.
She warned that although statistics frequently indicate that women are disproportionately represented among disadvantaged groups, this should not result in neglecting other vulnerable demographics.
In her view, inclusivity necessitates a balance between targeted initiatives for women and acknowledgment of wider social requirements.
The Vice President further highlighted that women are already pivotal in every sector of national life, including education, health, finance, agriculture, and security, and should not be marginalized in any manner.
Looking forward, she urged all ministries to implement more robust gender-sensitive planning to diminish the over-dependence on the Gender Ministry alone.
To illustrate her point, she referred to Ghanaian social customs, asking, “Can you envision a Sunday service without us?”
The Vice President’s comments positioned gender not as a peripheral issue but as a fundamental element in national development, advocating for equal involvement and inclusivity across institutions.
The event concluded on a lighter note, with Prof. Opoku-Agyemang requesting one of Ephraim Amu’s iconic songs, “Adikanfo,” to conclude her message.