Ghana's Gender Minister, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called for stronger financing, reliable data, and greater accountability to improve the lives of Africa's children. She made the call on behalf of President John Mahama at the high-level launch of the State of Africa's Children Report 2026 in New York. The report examines the situation of children across Africa, focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and their impact on children's health, education, protection, and development.
Dr Lartey stressed that African countries must move beyond commitments and ensure policies and investments create meaningful improvements in the wellbeing, rights, and development of children across the continent. She emphasized the importance of access to clean water, safe sanitation, and hygiene, describing them as fundamental to the wellbeing and dignity of children. According to the Minister, women and girls bear a disproportionate burden of inadequate access to water and sanitation.
The Minister highlighted Ghana's Revolving Fund for Sanitation as an example of innovative, home-grown financing for sanitation, featured in the report. She said evidence-based interventions are needed to address challenges affecting children and communities across Africa. Dr Lartey reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to strengthening gender-responsive child development planning as President Mahama's representative and in his capacity as African Union Champion for Gender and Development.
Dr Lartey pledged Ghana's support for protecting girls' right to education, improving water and sanitation, strengthening social protection, and investing in adolescent girls as active participants and agents of development. She welcomed the African Union's decision to institutionalize the State of Africa's Children Report as an annual publication, providing a consistent body of evidence to guide policies, influence budgets, and hold Member States accountable for progress on issues affecting children.
The report provides an important opportunity for African countries to assess whether they are doing enough to ensure every child, particularly the girl child, has an equal opportunity to survive, learn, develop, participate, and fulfill their potential. Dr Lartey urged African countries, the African Union, UNICEF, and development partners to translate the report's findings into concrete action, emphasizing that the wellbeing and rights of children should remain a key measure of Africa's development progress.
As part of Ghana's efforts to improve the lives of children, the Minister noted that the country has made progress in promoting child rights, with over a million Ghanaians reached in a nationwide child rights campaign. The Gender Ministry has also resolved 70% of complaints received through citizens' engagement service and targets 16 regional shelters for survivors of abuse. Additionally, 19,760 persons with disabilities have benefited from the Disability Common Fund.
The launch of the State of Africa's Children Report 2026 was held on September 23, at UNICEF House on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Dr Lartey's call for stronger financing and accountability resonated with stakeholders, who recognize the importance of prioritizing children's wellbeing and rights in Africa's development agenda.
Key points
- Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey calls for stronger financing, reliable data, and greater accountability to improve the lives of Africa's children.
- The State of Africa's Children Report 2026 highlights the situation of children across Africa, focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and their impact on children's health, education, protection, and development.
- Ghana's Gender Minister reaffirms Ghana's commitment to strengthening gender-responsive child development planning and protecting girls' right to education.
