Child non maintenance a major problem in B/A

The Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of the Department of Children, Mr Hammond Oppong

Kwarteng, has said that non-maintenance of children is the major headache facing the

department in the region.

He said lack of parental care for children has also resulted in increasing numbers

of street children in some parts of the region.

Mr. Oppong Kwarteng was speaking to Space FM's Francis Owusu-Ansah in Accra on the

AU Day of the African Child which is observed on the June 16, every year.

The theme for this year's celebration is "All Together For Urgent Action In Favour

of Street Children".

The regional director however pointed out that some children have also refused to be

properly catered for by their parents because they prefer to drive or sell to make

quick money.

He urged such children to reconsider their decisions since education is the key to

success.

Mr Oppong Kwarteng appealed to parents, especially fathers to honour their

responsibilities towards children at all times.

The International Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 every year

since 1991, when it was initiated by the Organisation of African Unity.

It honours those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976. It also raises

awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to

African children.

Thirty-five years ago, in Soweto, South Africa, over 10,000 black students marched

over a mile to protest against their inferior education under the apartheid regime.

They were met by violence and open gun fire - thousands were injured and over 176

were brutally killed.

However, their lives were not taken in vain, for it was their plight that challenged

years of inferiority, injustice and discrimination, not just in South Africa but all

over the continent.