The Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has called for stronger support systems for graduate student mothers and women with disabilities to improve access to postgraduate education.
The call was made during a meeting with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to explore collaboration on inclusion and the welfare of vulnerable groups.
Mr Richard Class-Peters, President of GRASAG, said many graduate student mothers and women with disabilities, including those enrolled in private tertiary institutions, encountered challenges in pursuing postgraduate studies.
He sought clarification on existing support mechanisms and ways the Association could collaborate with the Ministry to address the challenges.
Mr Class-Peters said GRASAG was also interested in partnering with the Ministry on research and public education on the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121).
He said the Association was prepared to support the Ministry’s campaigns against human trafficking and female genital mutilation.
Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said the Ministry welcomed partnerships that strengthened its mandate and expanded the reach of its programmes.
She said although the Government’s free tertiary education policy currently covered undergraduate students, extending similar support to postgraduate students would require broader stakeholder engagement.
Dr Lartey said the allocation to the Disability Common Fund had been increased from three per cent to five per cent and urged GRASAG members to engage their respective Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies by submitting requests outlining their specific needs.
She said the Ministry continued to engage persons with disabilities through various programmes and commemorative activities and remained committed to collaborating with organisations that promoted their welfare.
The meeting ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration to promote inclusion, protect vulnerable groups and advance social welfare.
GNA
