UNAIDS DELEGATION MEETS GENDER MINISTER TO STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION

As part of ongoing efforts to bolster Ghana’s national HIV response and advance social inclusion, a delegation from UNAIDS-Ghana, led by the Country Director, Mr. Héctor Sucilla Pérez, paid a working visit to the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection to explore strategic areas of collaboration.

Welcoming the delegation, the Minister – Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to deepen partnerships that empower vulnerable groups, particularly women, adolescents, and persons living with HIV.

She underscored that the Ministry’s mandate is closely aligned with the vision of the President of Ghana – H.E John Dramani Mahama, which prioritizes inclusive development, the elimination of gender-based violence, and the protection of human rights across all spheres.

The UNAIDS Country Director commended Ghana’s progress in the national HIV response and emphasized the need to strengthen the social dimension of interventions.

He noted that UNAIDS is seeking to collaborate more directly with the Ministry to integrate HIV-related issues into national policies, expand advocacy on sexual and reproductive health rights, and promote leadership and empowerment among women and adolescents.

Subsequent discussions also highlighted some of UNAIDS’ key initiatives such as:

– The Spotlight Initiative, which focuses on ending gender-based violence and promoting gender equality, particularly among adolescents and young girls.

– The Daakye Project, which aims to provide sustained support and empowerment for persons living with HIV, ensuring their dignity, inclusion, and access to social protection.

The Minister further spoke about the Ministry’s revised Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Policy, which is currently awaiting Cabinet approval.

She noted that the policy is designed to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for all children taking into account children with special needs, as well as those living with HIV.

Also present at the meeting was the Chief Director of the Ministry, who reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with development partners such as UNAIDS to address the intersection of health, gender, and social protection.

Both institutions pledged to build stronger frameworks for advocacy, policy integration, and programmatic support—ensuring that no one is left behind in the broader agenda for social transformation.

Source: MoGCSP