Mr Joseph Barnor, Principal Social Development Officer at the MoGCSP, said the bill, which had secured cabinet approval and under review in Parliament, needed advocacy to foster its passage into law by the end of this year.
He emphasised the importance of passing the bill into law, noting that it included the creation of a dedicated fund to finance social protection activities.
He was speaking at a workshop in Kumasi, held for members of the Journalists in Social Protection, a group of journalists interested in highlighting social protection issues.
The workshop was organised by the MoGCSP with the aim of improving efforts towards increased communication and sensitisation on social protection interventions.
Mr Barnor said the bill, when passed into law, would among other things address longstanding challenges in financing social protection interventions.
He noted that this could be done with the establishment of the Social Protection Fund and stated that low financing often hindered effective support for the country’s poorest and most vulnerable population.
He said the Ministry required the support of journalists to advocate the bill’s passage, adding a Social Protection Law was instrumental in bolstering efforts to support the poor and vulnerable.
While he expressed optimism about the passage of the bill into law this year, he sought the assistance of the media and stakeholders to push for its passage by the anticipated deadline.
He said, “If Parliament does not pass the bill by the end of the year, we will continue to push for its approval. Our goal remains to see it enacted as soon as possible.”
GNA
