The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has launched efforts to create a National Social Protection Shock Response Strategy (NSPSRS), starting with an inception meeting held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, involving key stakeholders.
The meeting aimed to review and adopt the inception report, laying the foundation for the strategy’s development. It also marked the formal introduction of Dr. Ofei Aboagye, an expert on the National Social Protection Policy, who will lead the team in formulating the strategy.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Director, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, the Director of the Social Protection Directorate, Madam Francisca Abena Atuluk, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to building a strong framework to effectively address social protection shocks. She stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach to ensure timely assistance for vulnerable populations during crises.
“This exercise is essential as Ghana seeks to enhance its social protection systems to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to shocks in a coordinated and timely manner,” Madam Atuluk stated. She noted that climate change poses a growing threat to the country’s environment and socio-economic stability, with Ghana experiencing volatile weather patterns, heatwaves, and flooding, impacting approximately 45,000 people annually, and droughts affecting 13% of the population.
Madam Atuluk emphasized that the development of the NSPSRS is critical for improving preparedness and the management of social protection programs. “This strategy will help mitigate the impact of shocks on individuals and society, which can have devastating ripple effects on health, security, and livelihoods,” she said.
The NSPSRS development represents a key step in advancing the Ministry’s vision of stronger social protection interventions, in line with its roadmap for creating a more resilient and inclusive socio-economic environment for all Ghanaians.
