By Caleb Kuleke
Ho, July 18, GNA – Mrs Marian Jemima Akua Adzroe, Acting Volta Regional Director of Education, has commended the Ho Technical University (HTU) for establishing an Infant Care Centre to support nursing mothers and their partners within the university community.Â
She said the initiative was not only a remarkable achievement but also a significant step towards meeting global standards and promoting the development and empowerment of women.
Mrs Adzroe made the remarks at the commissioning of the HTU Infant Care Centre in Ho, where she noted that the facility would provide peace of mind for parents, promote inclusivity and offer a safe environment for infants.
She described the centre as a sanctuary of hope that would ensure that pregnancy or parenthood did not become a barrier to the academic and professional advancement of young women.
Professor Ben Q. Honyenuga, Vice-Chancellor of HTU, said the centre reflected the University’s commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive and family-friendly environment for members of its community.
He said universities across the world were increasingly recognising that family-friendly policies and facilities enhanced staff productivity, improved retention and strengthened institutional competitiveness.
Mrs Thywill Eyra Kpe, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender, commended the University for the initiative, noting that Article 27 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees maternity protection and provides for special care for mothers before and after childbirth.
She said the Constitution further requires the provision of facilities for children below school-going age to enable mothers to realise their full potential and enjoy equal opportunities in education, training and career development.
Mrs Kpe described the facility as an investment in children, families and gender equality, adding that it demonstrated that parenthood should not hinder education, employment or professional growth.
She said the initiative aligned with the goals of Ghana’s Early Childhood Care and Development Policy, which recognises the early years of a child’s life as critical to survival, growth, development and lifelong learning.
According to her, the facility underscored HTU’s commitment not only to tertiary education but also to laying a strong foundation for children’s future learning through a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment.
Mrs Kpe said the Child and Family Welfare Policy emphasised that families were the primary source of care, protection and development for every child, while the State, communities and institutions shared the responsibility of supporting families to provide quality care.
“This infant care facility is an excellent example of that shared responsibility in action. It will support parents raise healthy families and promote the best interests of the child.
“The Department of Gender commends Ho Technical University for this visionary initiative and encourages other institutions to emulate this example in creating family-friendly and gender-responsive learning and working environments particularly for women in their reproductive years.”
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah