Nursing mothers, who are also Members of Parliament (MP), will be allowed to breastfeed their babies in the House. This is according to Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye.
In furtherance of this, officials of the Parliamentary Service have been urged to create a space in the House for use by nursing mothers.
Parliamentary representatives for the Ledzokuku and Klottey-Korle constituencies, Dr Bernard Oko-Boye and Dr Zanetor Rawlings respectively have, thus, been tasked by the Speaker to lead the project for the promotion of breastfeeding which is known to reduce the incidence of breast cancer.
The Speaker of Parliament gave the order during deliberations on breast cancer awareness.
Dr Oko-Boye on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem expressed excitement about the decision.
According to him, it has been proven that breastfeeding can prevent breast cancer.
However, the Ledzokuku MP said most women can’t do the exclusive six months breastfeeding due to their work schedule.
Another factor, he said is because most women report late when the cancer is at its matured stage, therefore, more awareness needs to be created.
Dr Oko-Boye also entreated people to visit the hospital on time when they detect that something isn’t right, saying that “breast cancer is curable only when detected early.”
He also advised single women to undertake self-breast examinations or be assisted by their partners, while married women are to be assisted by their husbands.
Vice Chairperson of the Women Caucus in Parliament, Comfort Doyoe Ghansah, said the campaign to get the standing orders reviewed would be pursued vigorously in the House.
“We are encouraging more women to come into leadership…You cannot prevent women from having babies, so if you have babies how do you expect women in leadership to treat their newborn babies? You cannot say they should stay home for a whole year breastfeeding the baby so we have to push,” he said.
Source: Ghana | Adomonline.com | Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman