The Minister-Designate for Gender, Children, and Social Protection has highlighted the importance of the father’s role upon the arrival of newborns, thereby advocating for paternity leave.
Agnes Naa Momo Lartey is also pushing for 6 months maternity leave for mothers to allow them sufficient recovery time after birth.
During her vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday January 22, 2025, She underscored the importance of improved maternity leave policies highlighting it profound impact on women’s full participation in the workplace and maternal and child well-being.
“It is important for women to have a prolonged leave period, not only to take care of the children but also to properly heal. As an employer, I will encourage you that if you even have the opportunity to grant six months leave, please do that,” she said.
Naa Momo Lartey also said “I would love to advocate for paternity leave, but it will be interesting if they spend time with their family when they take such leave.”
She, therefore, encouraged employers to extend the current maternity leave of 3 months to 6 months.
Additionally, she said “Creating day care in the companies will help women to heal after pregnancy and so if employers can accommodate 6 months maternity leave why not? We must ensure holistic care.”
Naa Momo Lartey, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for the Krowor Constituency said she would work with CSO’s, NGOs, and other advocates to push for these changes.
She commended stakeholders already advocating for improved maternal and parental leave policies and promised to support them adding it is key to her agenda if confirmed for the role as Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection.
“I will sit with all stakeholders, CSOs who are deep into it, and I will join the many advocates to look at what is best and ensure that we push it. If the people of Ghana agree to it, then I will be the number one champion,” she said.
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