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The Association for the Defense of the Rights of Domestic Workers (ADDAD) – Ghana recently organized a stakeholder meeting to review policies and laws governing domestic workers in Ghana.
The discussion centred on developing mechanisms to implement domestic worker regulations and recognize their contributions.
This effort aims to protect and respect the rights of children, women, migrant girls, and, especially, domestic workers in Ghana.
In an interview with Daniel Anyorigya, the President of ADDAD Ghana, Evelyn Dumenu, she expressed concern over the working conditions of domestic workers. She noted that these workers often start employment without insisting on documented terms of service or agreed wages.
The stakeholders concluded that to improve public awareness of domestic policies and laws, collaboration across groups in the sector is essential “so that a lot of people can be informed of regulations.”
Miss Dumenu emphasized that “when you don’t know your right, you can’t be able to advocate for the right,” adding that ADDAD would soon begin advocacy efforts in Amasaman and surrounding areas to support domestic workers.
The Queen Mother of Mariya Osofoaman, Naa Baawa II, shared her experience integrating young high school graduates into domestic service within her constituency. She explained that this initiative is part of her efforts to empower young girls in the community and prevent issues such as teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and prostitution.
“There are female SHS graduates who want to earn funds to finance their education or learn a vocational or technical skill, so I help them find suitable jobs. I also check in bi-weekly to ensure their working conditions are safe and to protect them from any form of abuse,” she said. “These graduates typically work for about two to three years before continuing their education.”
Naa Baawa II’s work could be supported by the Domestic Service Workers Union. However, its National Chairperson, Eva Attakpah, mentioned that “we don’t get funding. Formerly, we used to get funding from other groups, which allowed us to train domestic service workers.”
Attakpah explained that their training programs focus on educating domestic workers on policies and laws to empower them in their roles. She also called on the government to ratify ILO Convention No. 189, which provides rights for domestic workers.
Head of Programs at Hope For Africa, Vincentia Koranteng-Asante, echoed the need for collaboration, stating that “the more we engage people in their community, with support from the media telling the whole world that if you are a domestic worker, then you are not a bad person, but there are structures that can also best help you to attain your full potential.”
Mrs Koranteng-Asante further urged employers of domestic service workers to treat them with dignity, noting that “they are human as they are and they have rights and responsibilities.”
