The Principal Programmes Officer at the Department of Children, Mrs Patience Hayford, has commended the government for introducing policies to improve child rights in the country.
Mrs Hayford, who was speaking at a meeting in Goaso on the 4th quarter Ahafo Regional Child and UNICEF report, however, called for more policies to ensure the protection, safety and development of children.
She said most physical infrastructures were not disability friendly and hoped the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) would factor disability-friendly issues in their development plans.
Mrs Hayford further said drug abuse, especially among the youth, was hindering the progress and development of the nation and, therefore, appealed to parents or guardians to be role models for their children.
“Some of our cultural practices need modifications. People refuse to report rape cases, child sexual exploitation and others in the name of tradition. A crime is a crime according to the laws of Ghana and must be reported to the appropriate institution for redress”, she noted.
The Chief Director of Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council, Mr Samuel Amoako Kwarteng, lauded members of the Regional and Municipal and District Child Protection Committee for their professionalism and dedication to addressing issues of child rights in the region.
He tasked stakeholders to collaborate and harness resources to implement and execute their mandate for the common good of Ahafo and the country.
“Our country’s development depends on well-informed and educated human resources. I, therefore, want to appeal to all the stakeholders to strategize and harmonize your budgets and resources to ensure transparency to ensure smooth implementation of your programmes and projects,” he noted.
Kombat Bassum Maxwell, ISD
