The Department during the year under review collaborated and participated in various programs organized by other stakeholders in fulfillment of its mandate. Below are some Activities the Department engaged in during the year under review.
2.1 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION, 2023
The Department as part of this year’s celebration of International Women’s Day undertook four (4) radio discussion sessions on the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality, hash tag “Embrace Equity”, at the following radio stations, Sunrise Fm, My Fm, Eastern Fm and Freedom radio.
2.2 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD
The UN General Assembly adopted resolution 66/170 on December 19, 2011 and designated October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. The day is devoted to the rights of girls and the specific difficulties that girls face Worldwide. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Invest in Girls Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being”. The Department partnered with the Department of Children to create awareness of the problem that girls suffer including lack of access to education, inadequate nutrition, forced child marriage, legal rights and medical rights. Officers from both Departments of Gender and Children sensitized the public on GBC Sunrise Fm and Freedom Fm in Koforidua on the theme.
2.3 SIXTEEN DAYS OF ACTIVISM TO END GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls is an International Campaign that takes place each year. It commences on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10th December, Human Rights Day, indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights Worldwide. The theme for this year’s celebration is “UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls”. The Department organized 5 radio campaigns to sensitize the public on the theme. The stations include;
- My Fm; discussions focused more on the need to invest in education and awareness campaign to end Violence against Women and Girl, which the media plays a vital role in that.
- Freedom radio; discussions about the root causes, consequences and potential solutions to Violence against Women and girls were stated.
- Sunrise Fm; discussions were based mainly on Economic empowerment of women as a key investment to end Violence against Women and girls
- Afeema Fm; discussions were on child abuse, teenage pregnancy, sexual violence and also made the public understand the need to support and encourage young girls and women since they are the most vulnerable.
The Department also partnered with Star Ghana Foundation and New Juabeng South Municipal to organize a durbar, which included a panel discussion on the theme ‘Youth against Violence’ at the Ascension Presbyterian Hall, Koforidua on the 30th November, 2023.
2.4 GENERAL MEETINGS FOR THE YEAR 2023; EASTERN REGIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL
Article 255 of the 1992 constitution quotes, “there shall be established a Regional Coordinating Council in each region, which shall consist of, the Regional Minister and his Deputy or deputies; the Presiding member and the District Chief Executive from each district in the region; two chiefs from the Regional House of Chiefs, and the Regional Heads of the decentralized ministries in the region as members without the right to vote.” The Regional Minister shall be the chairman of the Regional Coordinating Council. Subject to this chapter, the functions of a Regional Coordinating Council shall be as prescribed by an Act of Parliament.
Against this backdrop, the Regional Coordinating Council held meetings with Heads of Departments to discuss and decide on the policies and programs of the municipality; to push development forward in the Region. The meetings the Department attended are as follows;
- Regional Coordinating Council meeting held on the 4th July, 2023 at 9am at the Conference Hall of the Regional Coordinating Council.
- Second Quarter Regional Planning Coordinating Unit (RPCU) meeting held on the 21st July, 2023.
- Inter Service and Inter Sectorial collaborations meeting of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council for 2023 held on the 8th November, 2023.
2.5 MEDIA SENSITIZATION PROGRAMS
The Department does media sensitization programs. Series of radio sensitization programs were carried out on some radio stations in the New Juaben Municipality which included GBC Sunrise Fm, Eastern Fm, MY Fm, Freedom Fm and Afeema Fm. This year’s celebration of International Women’s Day, International Girl Child Day and Sixteen (16) days of Activism against Gender Based Violence dubbed; UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls”. The Head of Department in collaboration with Star Ghana Foundation and some Officers shared with the public on the radio, the need to end violence against women and girls now and called for collective efforts from all especially men and boys to end it all. Again, they urged men to also report cases of abuse they also experience and not suffer in silence and finally, acknowledged individuals and organizations in the fight against Gender-Based Violence in the society.
The department has also educated the public on topics such as;
- Child marriage issues
- Child labor
- Gender based violence
- Domestic violence
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Child Trafficking
- Harmful Cultural Practices
2.6 REGIONAL CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE MEETING 2023
Child protection seeks to guarantee the right of children to a life free from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect. A lot of children across the world suffer violence, exploitation and abuse every day. These acts occur in the homes, families, schools, care and justice systems, workplaces and communities across all contexts.
The main objective of the meeting was to review the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography to the Regional Child Protection Committee members.
As a committee member, the Department partnered with the Department of Children to organize two radio sensitizations on the 12th June, 2023, Child Labor Day and 16th June, 2023, International Day of the Child to educate the public on the Rights of Children, some problems that most children face (child labor, child trafficking and child marriage) and how to create an environment free from violence for these young ones.
2.7 COLLABORATION WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
The Department participated in a number of activities which are summarized below.
| Activity | Venue | Date | No. of Participants | Organizers |
| Participated in Regional level country dialogue for NFM IV | ERCC Conference Hall | 25th January, 2023
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National AIDS Commission
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| Participated in the Municipal CLOGSAG maiden meeting. | New Assembly Hall, NJSMA.
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10th February, 2023
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CLOGSAG |
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| Participated in the second meeting of the fourth term of the Densu Basin Board (DBB)
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Densu Basin Secretariat, Koforidua.
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10th March, 2023 |
Densu Basin Board (DBB) |
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| Participated in the Regional Committee on Micro and Small Enterprises Promotion (RECOMEP) meeting.
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ERCC Conference Hall. | 3rd May, 2023
|
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Ministry of Trade and Industry |
| Participated in the official opening of the Eastern Regional edition of GEPA Women icons exhibition.
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Apenteng Hall, Koforidua.
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1st to 3rd June, 2023
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GEPA | |
| Participated in the Special Launch of 5th Annual Women in food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and the Gold in the soil Awards.
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Eastern Regional Agricultural Directorate. | 14th June, 2023
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Agrihouse Foundation
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| The Department collaborated with Greater Accra Office of the Department of Gender to provide sensitization for ‘Okada’ boys, to educate them on the need to prevent Child Marriage within their locality.
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Kolebu Municipal Assembly
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22nd June, 2023
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Department of Gender, Greater Accra and Eastern Region
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| Participated in the World Drug Day celebration and launching of drug awareness club. | Apenteng hall, Koforidua (Betom)
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26th June,2023
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Narcotics Control Commission
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| Participated in the training of trainers’ workshop on the National Framework and toolkit for engaging men and boys on Gender Equality
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Sunlodge Hotel, Tesano
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6th July, 2023.
|
Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) | |
| Participated in the Regional Conference on the implementation of the African Continent Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) | Capital View Hotel, Koforidua | 7th July, 2023 | Ministry of Trade and Industry, National AfCFTA Coordinating Office. | |
| Participated in the Special Launch of 5th Annual Women in food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and the Gold in the soil Awards | Bedtime Hotel, Koforidua
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26th – 27th July, 2023
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Agrihouse Foundation
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| Participated in a training workshop on Simulating Policy reforms in Ghana using GHAMOD | Legon | 28th August, to 1st September, 2023.
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| Participated in the opening ceremony of the National Youth Conference by International Fellowship Ghana (IYF) | University of Ghana, Legon (Athletic Oval)
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1st September, 2023
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International Fellowship Ghana (IYF)
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| Participated in a sensitization workshop on the European Union Ghana Economic Partnership Agreement (EU-Ghana EPA) to educate stakeholders on the benefits Ghana derive from the partnership.
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Koforidua Guest Hotel
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7th September, 2023
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Ministry of Information (MoI)
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| Participated in a Self-reliance Celebration for the Boti Epicenter to encourage and award students who have successfully graduated in their skill training. | Boti Epicenter | 13th September, 2023 | The Hunger Project. | |
| Participated in the annual meeting for Working Group Women, Youth, Peace and Security in West Africa and the Sahel (WGWYPS-WAS) | Accra | 18th -22nd September, 2023 | Women Count for Peace in West Africa. | |
| Participated in the International Day of Peace Celebration | Cultural Center, Koforidua. | 21st September, 2023 |
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National Peace Council
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| The Department collaborated with Greater Accra office of Department of Gender to provide sensitization for men and boys to educate them to be game changers on Gender Equality and Drug abuse issues within their locality. | Amamomo Community.
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28th September, 2023
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Department of Gender, Greater Accra and Eastern Region. |
| Participated in the ANEG 4th Girls’ Summit. | Ensign Global College | 28th October, 2023
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ANEG Foundation and Ensign Global College | |
| Participated in the Mentorship and Climax events of the 2023 National Girls in ICT Celebration. | Koforidua National Cultural Centre. | 30th to 31st October, 2023 | Ministry of Communications and Digitalization | |
| Participated in 2023 World Population Day Women’s groups engagement. | NHIS Conference Hall. | 9th November, 2023 | National Population Council | |
| Participated in the 78th Remembrance Day Celebration | Jubilee Park, Koforidua | 11th November, 2023 | Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) | |
| Participated in a three days Youth Leadership Training workshop for Implementing the “kofcity Youth We Dey” project. | Koforidua Library Conference Hall | 13th -15th November, 2023 | 70 | The Divine Mother and Child (DMAC) Foundation and Star-Ghana Foundation and Botnar Foundation |
| Participated in the Health screening on world diabetes day. | Regional Health Directorate Conference room | 14th November, 2023.
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Regional Health Directorate. | |
| Participated in a workshop meeting of the Government of Ghana (GOG) / United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 8th Country Program-Eastern Region | ERCC Conference Hall | 15th November, 2023 | UNFPA
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| Participated in the Ghana Youth Innovation Accelerator (GYIA) Awards and Exhibition 2023 | The Hive, 4 Grape Link-Gallaway, Koforidua | 17th November, 2023 |
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TECHFARM Hub, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), World Bank and Ministry of Finance. |
| Participated in a three days Bible seminar | Good News Mission, Kofordua | 22nd -25th November, 2023 | Good News Mission | |
| Participated in CAMFED Ghana National Annual General meeting | Mariam Hotel, Tamale
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23rd November, 2023 |
CAMFED |
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| Participated in a stakeholder engagement on promoting pluralism and inclusive development | Eastern Premier Hotel | 28th November, 2023
|
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Ghana Center for Democratic Development. (CDD) |
| Participated in the 39th Regional Farmers Day Celebration | Forecourt of the Akyemansa District Assembly Ofoase | 1st December, 2023 | Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) and Regional Agricultural Department. | |
| Participated in the 8th graduation ceremony | Latter Day Saints yard, Koforidua | 6th December, 2023 | National Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers | |
| Participated in the Regional Coordinating Council Meeting | ERCC Conference Hall | 12th December, 2023 | Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) | |
| Participated in the National Stakeholders’ meeting on Ending Child Marriage in Ghana | Pempamsie Hotel, Cape Coast | 14th and 15th December, 2023 | Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection. |
| Participated in the 16th edition of the Eastern Region Festival of nine lessons and carols night | Forecourt of the office of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council. | 14th December, 2023 |
|
Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) |
| Participated in the Youth Parliamentary sitting | Ascension Hall | 21st December, 2023 | National Youth Authority | |
| Participated in the end of year Dinner and Awards | Koforidua Highways Training School | 30th December, 2023 | Aristocrats | |
| Participated in the TECHFARM Hub Stakeholders Soiree |
The Hive, 4 Grape Link-Gallaway, Koforidua. |
20th December, 2023 |
TECHFARM Hub
|
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| Participated in the Eastern Regional Stakeholders thanksgiving and prayer service |
PCG Ascension Congregation |
29th December, 2023 |
|
Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) |
2.8.1Visit to Women’s Group Meetings
The Department visited some women groups in the New Juaben Municipality. Groups visited include the Ascension Presbyterian Women’s Fellowship, Apostolic Church Women’s Fellowship and Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association. The groups were sensitized on some issues of sexual and Gender – Based violence and the need to report cases of violence as well as the laws that ban those acts. Officers also took the opportunity to answer some pertinent questions bothering them.
2.8.2 Cases on Violence against Women and Children Recorded
Many people in the Region go through all forms of abuse and do not know where to seek help from or fear to speak up. Majority of the people that go through abuse in the society are women and children. This is why the department has opened its doors for all (both victims and neighbors) to come and share their problems relating to gender issues to get support or help.
The department recorded eight (8) cases for the year 2023. This is the breakdown of the cases recorded; two (2) defilement cases, one case on circulation of nude videos, two cases on missing children, one case on child non maintenance, one kidnapping case and one case on sexual harassment. These are the outcome of the followed up at the end of the year; missing children were found and reunited with their families. The person who was kidnapped was rescued. One of the defilement cases was closed and the rest of the cases are still in progress.
The cases that are still pending would be followed up intensively to make sure all cases are closed. The department would continue to render support to victims who report their grievances.