Child protection awareness day marked at Apam


A Child Protection Awareness Day instituted by Compassion International Ghana, a child-centred non-government organisation (NGO), has been observed by the Apam Mount Zion Methodist Project of the NGO at Apam.

Speaking at the function, Mr Edward Ndzibah, project co-ordinator, said the celebration of the day was to bring to the fore issues concerning the abuse of the rights of children, saying that many parents did not know what constituted abuse of children’s rights.

He said the Mount Zion Project, which was established six years ago, now had a membership of 305 children, sponsored by expatriates worldwide.

He said the project catered for children’s education, which includes their fees, books and stationery, as well as their medical bills. Partnership

Mr Ndzibah said Compassion International worked in partnership with local churches.

Mr Alex Kobena Afful, Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), who represented Mr John Mensah, Gomoa West District Director, as the principal resource person, took the gathering through childrens rights, child labour and abuse, rights to opinion and sexual harassment, as well as child responsibilities.

He appealed to the general public not to hesitate to approach the commission with problems concerning human rights abuse for redress.

Mr Afful said the way parents treated their children would determine their intelligence and advised parents to desist from insulting their children or frowning on everything they do. Investigate complaints

The CHRAJ District Director urged parents to investigate complaints from their daughters on sexual harassment and not treat them lightly.

He urged parents to open up to their children, especially their daughters, to enable them to freely tell their problems.

Mr Afful described child labour as involving the child in activities, which could deprive the child of his or her education or suppress his or her growth or health.

He urged parents to differentiate between child labour and child work and advised them to appreciate their children’s efforts by praising them to raise their confidence.

Mr Hayford Edu Quaye, Proprietor of Royal Preparatory School at Apam, commended the expatriates for their support in educating children, and called on government to institute harsh punishments for parents who fail to send their wards to school. 

GNA

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