Naa Momo Lartey Vows to Push for Extended Maternity Leave in Ghana

Naa Momo Lartey, nominee for Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, has pledged to work towards extending maternity leave in Ghana, highlighting the need for a more supportive and family-friendly policy.

During her vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday, January 22, Lartey emphasised the importance of longer maternity leave for both maternal recovery and child well-being.

She proposed extending the current three-month leave to six months, enabling mothers to fully recover and care for their newborns without the added pressure of returning to work prematurely.

“It is important for women to have a prolonged leave period, not only to take care of the children but also to properly heal,” she said. “As an employer, I will encourage you that if you even have the opportunity to grant six months of leave, please do that.”

Lartey also suggested the introduction of parental leave for fathers, ensuring both parents have time to bond with their child and share caregiving responsibilities, which would help promote gender equality in family roles.

With a focus on collaboration, Lartey pledged to work with civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and gender advocates to pursue these changes.

She noted the ongoing efforts of those campaigning for better maternity and parental leave policies, offering her full support to drive the cause forward.

“I will sit with all stakeholders and CSOs who are deep into it, and I will join the many advocates to look at what is best and ensure that we push it. If the people of Ghana agree to it, then I will be the number one champion,” she assured.