Accra, Ghana, August 15, 2020//-Economic analyst has backed Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, running mate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on extension of maternity leave for women in the formal sector if the party comes to power in 2021.
According to Prof John Gatsi, one month in the life of a nursing mother to receive paid leave due to child birth defines real inclusiveness in Ghana’s democratic journey.
“Enhanced maternity leave period from three months to four months will help support both parents and the child to achieve inclusive social and development indicators.
The extra one month is great commitment to ensure care for women to achieve inclusive enjoyment of economic management”.
It does not reduce productivity; it rather increases commitment and loyalty by beneficiaries, Prof Gatsi who is also the Dean of the University of Cape Coast Business School, added.
A policy like this shows that dealing with the crucial needs of women such as extended maternity leave is an investment that produces only positive results, he emphasized.
Countries with remarkable social sector developments, pay attention to issues affecting women, he added.
He explained: “In some countries in Europe companies disclose social issues including disclosures about number of female employees as against the male counterparts in their annual reports”.
It is not for nothing that India in March 2017 increased the number of paid maternity leave period from 12 weeks (three months) to 26 weeks (6.5 months). It is to enhance the health status of nursing mothers and promote effective child care.
In Sweden both parents have cumulative 480 days of which the male parent has to take at least 180 days.
Prof Dr Frank Forbes-Menson, an Oxford University educated Economist and Senior Lecturer of Accounting, Finance, Banking and Economics at the York St John University, UK added: “The new policy, if managed with the adequate requisite logistic support , will go a long way to alleviate poverty, if not improve the lives of our grassroots mothers whilst at the same time generating better quality childcare to the newly born”.
“This is what I resonate in my new SPRINKLE UP ECONOMIC model under the NDC compared to the old trickledown model which has grossly affected children negatively from the cradle to the casket”.
We need more of such grassroots development focused political intervention as a linch-pin in the new NDC growth proposition. Long live such forward looking 21st century political machinations, Dr Forbes-Menson stated.
Speaking at a recent forum to mark this year’s International Youth Day in Accra, announced that Prof Opoku-Agyemang that the next government under the NDC will increase the maternity leave period from three months to four months.
She said the move was part of the many policies listed in the party’s 2020 manifesto that proves that it cares about Ghanaians.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang emphasized: “I sympathise with young mothers, but you will be happy to know when our manifesto is launched that we have increased the maternity leave [period].
“We have moved it from three months to four months fully paid maternity leave and we are also going to ensure that until the child is nine months, the woman truly has time”.
African Eye Report
