Gender Ministry opens child caregiving centre to support staff
In a step towards promoting work-life balance and early childhood development, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has inaugurated a 'Child Caregiving Centre' on Friday, May 30, 2025 at the ministry's premises.
The centre is designed to offer a safe and nurturing environment for the children of Ministry staff, with particular support for nursing mothers.
This is to empower working parents, especially mothers, by enabling them to thrive professionally while ensuring their young children receive appropriate care and developmental support.
At the launch, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, highlighted the ministry’s responsibility in protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children.
She stated that this responsibility begins with the Ministry’s own workforce, acknowledging staff as an essential pillar of productivity and national development.
The Minister emphasised the value of early childhood development, identifying the early years as critical for building children's cognitive, physical, and social capabilities.
She further explained that the initiative aligns with President Mahama’s commitment to prioritise early childhood care by creating nurturing spaces where young children can flourish.
She encouraged staff to utilise the centre fully, as it is designed to enhance both working conditions and overall wellbeing.
The Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr Afisah Zakariah, described the centre as a strategic move to support working parents—especially mothers—by providing a secure and supervised space for children aged zero to three years.
She noted that the facility allows staff to focus on their duties with confidence, knowing their children are in a caring and protective environment.
The Australian Ambassador to Ghana, Berenice Owen-Jones, applauded the Ministry for this initiative and recommended that similar models be adopted across other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
