By Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, Feb. 10, GNA – Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to safeguarding children in market spaces.
The Minister made this known during a working visit to the 31st December Women’s Early Childhood Day Care Centre and the Makola Clinic in Accra.
The visit, aimed at familiaring herself with the operations at the two facilities, also formed part of follow-up actions to gather feedback on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) services after the revision of the ECCD Policy.
Interacting with caregivers and market women at the Makola-based facilities, Dr Lartey said providing safe and structured environments for children of women in the informal sector remained a top national priority, particularly in busy trading centres.
She said children in their formative years, especially between zero and eight years, must be protected and nurtured in safe and development-focused spaces.
“These children must be protected and nurtured in safe spaces,” she said.
Dr Lartey reiterated the President’s commitment to strengthening child protection systems across the country and announced plans to modernise and sustain market day care centres beyond political transitions.
She said the plan sought to expand infrastructure to meet rising demand and replicate the model across major markets nationwide, noting that effective day care systems played a key role in reducing child abuse and neglect.
She also engaged several market women to better understand their working conditions and explore how government interventions could be tailored to their needs, and pledged closer collaboration with stakeholders to strengthen maternal and child welfare systems within market environments.
Dr Lartey commended the leadership of the 31st December Day Care Centre for sustaining operations despite challenges, and donated GH¢10,000 to support its activities. She also presented assorted drinks and biscuits to the children.
Madam Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan, President, Greater Accra Markets Association, appealed for sustained government assistance to upgrade infrastructure and improve caregiving resources.
She welcomed the Minister’s visit and described market day care centres as critical support systems for trading mothers.
GNA
10 Feb. 2026
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong