Ghana has launched three major legal instruments aimed at strengthening social protection systems and advancing gender equity, in a move government says will promote inclusion, resilience and equal opportunities for all citizens.
The instruments, unveiled by Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang in Accra on October 7, 2026, are the Social Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1148), the Social Protection Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2521) and the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2522).
The launch, organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) under the theme “Building an Inclusive, Equitable and Resilient Ghana: From Legislation to Results,” brought together policymakers, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
Delivering the keynote address, the Vice President said the effectiveness of the new legal frameworks would ultimately be measured by the positive impact they have on the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
She explained that the Social Protection Act establishes a comprehensive legal framework for a coordinated national social protection system, covering social assistance, social insurance, emergency support, the Social Protection Fund, and mechanisms for complaints and redress.
According to her, the accompanying regulations will provide guidance for the implementation of the Act, while the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Regulations will support institutions in fulfilling their obligations to increase women’s participation in leadership and decision-making.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called for accountability, effective implementation and prudent management of public resources to ensure that vulnerable persons receive the support they need and that women are provided with fair opportunities to contribute to national development.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, described the launch as both a significant achievement and a major responsibility for the Ministry.
She acknowledged the contributions of women’s groups, persons with disabilities, older persons and other stakeholders whose advocacy and consultations helped shape the legal instruments.
Dr Lartey outlined five key commitments to support implementation. These include translating the laws into plain and local languages, providing institutions with practical implementation guidelines and training, strengthening data and coordination systems, improving complaints and feedback mechanisms, and publishing regular progress reports.
She also pledged that the Ministry and its agencies would fully comply with the provisions of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Regulations.
The Minister urged social welfare officers, community development officers, gender desk officers and other frontline workers to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, fairness and compassion.
She noted that their work would play a critical role in turning the new laws into meaningful benefits for citizens.
The significance of social protection was highlighted through the story of an elderly widow who struggled to care for her children following the death of her husband. Her experience illustrated the impact of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme and the importance of linking social assistance with livelihood and economic empowerment initiatives.
Representatives of UNICEF and the World Bank commended Ghana for the milestone and reiterated their support for efforts to strengthen social protection and gender equity. They emphasized the need for reliable data systems, efficient programme delivery and stronger links between social assistance, skills development, livelihoods and financial inclusion.
The event brought together representatives of Parliament, traditional authorities, public institutions, organised labour, the private sector, academia, youth organisations, women’s groups, persons with disabilities, development partners and the media.
The Vice President concluded the ceremony by officially unveiling the three legal instruments, marking the beginning of a renewed national effort to translate social protection and gender equity legislation into tangible improvements in the lives of Ghanaians.