The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is partnering with the College of Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology to design a new, special, robust machine that will help all Head porters(kayayei) in their day-to-day work activities.

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social protection, Ms Otiko Afisah Djaba, was presented with the concept note of the designing of the machine by Professor Mark Adom- Asamoah, Provost at the KNUST’s College of Engineering, as he visited her for discussion on the subject.

The new machine, according to Professor Mark, will positively impact the working conditions of the kayayei. He said the machine which is going to be a special and renovated design of ‘trolleys’ that will alleviate tedium and risks that confront the kayayei.

Ms Otiko Djaba welcomed the idea of the proposal and ensured Mr Adom-Asaoah that measures will be put in place for a reliable partnership between the Ministry and Him regarding production of the machine.

“Kayayei issues is very dear to my heart. As I make efforts towards eradicating the kayayei phenomenon, it would be heartless for me to be oblivious of the plight they face with matters relating to their work conditions, health, and that of their living conditions” she said.

Ms Otiko Dkaba is of the strong belief that the inhuman conditions kayayei endured, indicated that Ghana was not doing great with all of its young people. This, therefore, must motivate every well-meaning citizen to want to be part of the solution.

The phenomenon of kayayei is a very appalling and an inhuman situation for any human being to find herself in. Sometimes you may find a child as young as six or nine carrying loads that even an adult cannot manage. They sleep out there and are exposed to all kinds of diseases; they are raped and subjected to all kinds of abuses; they’re not in school and not learning any skills for sustainable employment; some end up being trafficked, like those who ended up in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Thus we must collectively decide to include them in the Ghanaian dream.

As part of many solutions outlined (among others are: dialogues for kayayei and skills training) by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms Otiko Djaba assured that she will do her possible best to ensure the machine are produced for kakayei to be comfortable and flexible in their work.

Although visual details of the machine are kept confidential for now, the machine as mentioned above will have a special and robust design which will be highly effective.