Accra, Nov. 20, GNA – The Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has
arrived in the Belgium capital of Brussels to participate in a High-Level
Conference to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child (CRC).
The event, which is under the theme, “Every
Child has the Right to Dream”, will be held on Wednesday, November 20.
There will be discussions on ‘Protecting the
rights of the child in an ever-changing digital world: threats and opportunities’;
‘ The changing nature of armed conflict and its impact on
children’s rights and future’ , ‘Mainstreaming of a child- rights approach in
all development planning and implementation globally’; among other issues.
The Foreign Minister was invited by the
Chair of the European Parliament’s Sub-committee on Human Rights, Maria Arena.
The Queen of the Kingdom of Belgium and
Honorary President of UNICEF-Belgium, Queen Mathilde, is expected to serve as
the Guest of Honour for the Brussels ceremony.
Other dignitaries expected to grace the
celebration are the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, and
the President of the European Commission, Ursula Van der Layen.
During the discussions, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey is expected to point out
Ghana’s commitment to institutionalise the Rights of the Child, which was
clearly demonstrated when the country’s Legislature passed the Children’s Act
into law in 1998.
The Children’s Act, among others, provides
for the rights of the child and protects children from exploitative labour and
child marriages.
Ghana made history by becoming the first
country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the
Child in 1990.
GNA
