General News of Thursday, 9 August 2018
Source: Myjoyonline.com
2018-08-09
Gender minister-designate, Cynthia Morrison
Newly appointed Gender Minister who describes herself as a “submarine politician” has said she is eager to work with former Gender Ministers to help her in her new office.
The legislator for Agona West Cynthia Morrison told Joy News’ Evans Mensah on Newsnight Thursday that she is looking forward to working with Nana Oye Lithur and Otiko Afisa Djaba on adoptions, less privileged persons and the elderly.
She is one of those newly announced ministers appointed after the president’s first reshuffle since he took office.
In an interview shortly after the reshuffle was announced, she said she is beside herself with joy although the reality of the appointment is yet to sink in. “The gender thing is so much on my heart because every year I have a date with the physically challenged, the less privileged and adopted children. “But this is a big one and I am looking forward to working with everyone; both men and women. Anyone who has knowledge of the field will be invited to contribute,” she said.
The Central Regional NPP Women’s Organizer said she is blessed to have former Gender Ministers, Nana Oye Lithur and Otiko Afisa Djaba around to help her.
“I have been thinking ever since I was informed and I am excited to work with people I already like and do so much for,” she said.
Mrs Morrison said her mind is preoccupied with how she can do her best to help the elderly, physically challenged and adoption cases. She said she will immediately get to work on the borstal institutes which have been closed down.
According to her, she is worried that juveniles and adults are kept in the same prison which ends up not helping the juveniles.
“I have been thinking about how to give a new lease of life to these children who so much need a second chance at bettering their lives.
“Children make mistakes when growing up like all of us and their lives should not be defined with that. It was God’s grace that some of us came out and did not end up in cells because we were all stubborn as children,” she said.
She promises to talk to the president for a lasting solution to get the juveniles their own cells.
Mrs Morrsion said will also focus on improving the lives of the incarcerated juveniles by training and reforming them.