The Nanton District Assembly, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection through its Social Protection Directorate, successfully held a Community Dialogue on Social Protection and Other Social Issues on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Nanton.
The engagement brought together traditional authorities, opinion leaders, religious leaders, government representatives, and community members from Zoggu, Kpanaa, Tampion, and Nanton to discuss key social protection interventions and other pressing social issues affecting residents within the district.
The dialogue served as an important platform for direct interaction between government representatives and community members, fostering open discussions on social welfare programmes, child protection, healthcare access, and community development.
High-Level Representation
The event was attended by representatives from several government institutions and agencies, including:
- Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP)
- Nanton District Assembly
- Local Government Service (LGS)
- National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)
- National Identification Authority (NIA)
- Ghana Health Service (GHS)
- Religious leaders
- Traditional authorities and opinion leaders from participating communities
The District Coordinating Director (DCD), representing the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Nanton District Assembly, participated in the programme alongside representatives of the Hon. Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection.
Opening Session
The programme commenced with the arrival of dignitaries, followed by an opening prayer and introductions. A representative from the Local Government Service delivered the opening remarks, welcoming participants and emphasizing the importance of community participation in governance and development.
Following the opening session, the Presiding Member of the Nanton District Assembly addressed participants, highlighting the Assembly’s commitment to promoting social welfare, inclusion, and equitable access to government services across the district.
The Director for Social Protection, who represented the Hon. Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, also delivered remarks on government efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and strengthening social safety nets for communities.
Key Discussions and Presentations
The dialogue featured a series of presentations on critical social issues and government interventions, including:
- The dangers and effects of illicit drug abuse
- Gender-related concerns, including domestic violence, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and human trafficking
- Child protection issues
- National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) services and benefits
- LEAP (Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty) reassessment processes
- Social protection programmes and related interventions
Each presentation was followed by interactive question-and-answer sessions, allowing community members to seek clarification, share concerns, and make recommendations directly to officials.
The open dialogue format encouraged active participation and enabled residents to engage government representatives on matters affecting their communities.
Access to Essential Services
A major highlight of the programme was the provision of free public services to community members.
Officials from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), National Identification Authority (NIA), and Ghana Health Service were on hand to provide:
- Free NHIS registration
- NHIS card renewal services
- Assistance with linking Ghana Cards to NHIS records
- Public health education and support services
These services were made available to ensure that residents could conveniently access essential healthcare and identification-related services without travelling long distances.
Strengthening Community Engagement
The dialogue underscored the importance of collaboration between government institutions, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and local communities in addressing social challenges and improving livelihoods.
Participants commended the initiative and called for more regular engagements that provide opportunities for communities to interact directly with policymakers and service providers.
Way Forward
The programme concluded with closing remarks from the chairperson of the event, who expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their participation and commitment to community development.
The Nanton District Assembly remains committed to promoting inclusive governance, strengthening social protection systems, and ensuring that residents continue to benefit from government interventions designed to improve living standards and protect vulnerable groups within the district.
