The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, through the Department of Children, has marked the 2026 National Children’s Day with a call for stronger efforts to ensure that children can speak about abuse without fear and have their concerns taken seriously.
The celebration, held at the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council premises, was held on the theme: “Amplifying Children’s Voices on Abuse in Ghana: Promoting Child Protection, Participation, and Advocacy.”
Speaking on behalf of the sector Minister, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Acting Director of the Department of Children, Sefah Alexander Boadu, said parents, teachers, community and religious leaders, the media and other child protection actors must work together to create safe environments where children can speak freely.
In her speech, Dr Lartey said children’s views must go beyond consultation and influence policies, programmes and decisions that affect their lives.
She cited the Children’s Voices Sessions organised across the regions as an example of platforms that allow children to share their experiences and make recommendations on issues affecting them.
“Our task is to ensure those voices contribute to stronger policies and programmes,” she stated.
Dr Lartey stressed that every child, regardless of age, background or circumstances, is entitled to safety, dignity and protection.
She said child participation in decision-making should not be regarded as a favour to children but as a right, requiring adults to create opportunities for them to express their views and ensure those views influence decisions.
“For too long, adults have spoken about children, made decisions for children and designed programmes for children. But we must now ask: Where are the children at the table?”
The Minister also called for child protection to become a shared national responsibility involving families, schools, traditional and religious leaders, communities, government institutions and other stakeholders.
“The value of a child cannot be measured in cedis and pesewas. Every child protected today is a future strengthened tomorrow.”
Addressing children directly, Dr Lartey encouraged them to report situations that make them feel unsafe and seek help from trusted adults.
“My dear children, we see you, we hear you, and your voice matters. If something hurts you or makes you feel unsafe, speak to a trusted adult. And if you are not heard the first time, do not give up.”
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Madam Linda Obenewaa Ocloo, also urged stakeholders to create communities where children can learn, play, grow and express themselves without fear.
Her speech, read on her behalf by the Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, Rev. Harry Nii Kwatei Owoo, called on traditional and religious leaders to use their influence to promote child protection.
She further urged law enforcement agencies, social workers, health professionals, civil society organisations and other child protection actors to strengthen collaboration in supporting children in need.
Madam Ocloo stressed that protecting children was essential to Ghana’s future, noting that today’s children would become the professionals, leaders, parents and nation-builders of tomorrow.
She therefore called on stakeholders to move beyond declarations and translate their commitment to child protection into concrete action.
The celebration highlighted the need to treat children not only as beneficiaries of protection programmes but also as active participants whose experiences and views can help shape the systems designed to protect them.
