The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Madam Lariba Zuweira Abudu, has said the government has initiated several policies to empower women and young people.
She cited ‘YouStart’ as one of the government’s initiatives that provides money and technical support to youth-led businesses so that they can start, grow and create jobs for others.
She said one other important programme is the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme (LEAP), which distributes cash grants to beneficiary households, the majority of which are headed by women to reduce extreme poverty by boosting consumption and nutrition as well as fostering access to social services.
She said this during the Women Lead Forum hosted by Southern Africa Embrace Foundation last Friday in Accra.
“The government has established the Microfinance and Small Loans Center (MASLOC) to offer loans and grants for new and small businesses, especially those run and controlled by women,” she added.
Madam Zuweira Abudu said Ministry would continue to coordinate gender-related issues and collaborate closely with all parties involved to provide vulnerable women and girls around the country with the necessary information, knowledge, skills and hospitable services.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
