Citi FM host calls for massive campaign against "small" 3-month maternity leave

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 10:23 AM by Aba Afful

The period allowed women on maternity leaves across Ghana is the subject of a campaign by radio presenter AJ Akuoko-Sarpong who intends to push authorities to extend the three months granted by law.

Citi FM presenter, AJ Akuoko-Sarpong has taken issue with the period allowed women by Ghana's Labour Act as maternity leave.

Ghana's 3-month hiatus allowed for women to take care of their newborns before rejoining the workforce is one of the smallest in the democratic world. Some countries such as Sweden give up to 15 months to a new mother while she is still paid.

AJ, as she is affectionately called, spoke to Ameyaw TV on the red carpet of the 2019 Glitz Africa SHE Summit and noted the struggles with working mothers who rush back to work after just three months of childbirth.

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The radio presenter doubted how much a 12-week break could prepare a mother for the rigours of work after childbirth.

She said: “I personally believe three months maternity leave is not enough, we (women) drop their kids at daycare and come back because we’re expected to be superwomen.

We should be able to push the boundaries a little bit more in an acceptable way where both the employee and the employer is able to be beneficial.

“I believe in a point where we (women) can work from home and be able to be productive."

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The 2019 Glitz Africa SHE Summit took place at the Ecobank Head Office in Accra on April 13, 2019.

There were discussions on themes such as "Beyond Gender" led by Sandra Ankobiah, Dentaa Amoateng, AJ Sarpong, Angela Asante and "Living Your Purpose" led by Jackie Appiah, Dziffa Akua Ametam and Chiedza Makonnen.