Child protection network formed in Bawku West

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has held a workshop aimed at building and strengthening child protection efforts in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region.

Mr Paul Chinatra, the District Director of CHRAJ, said the district needed a child protection network to speed up responses to child rights and violations at the community level.

This, he said, would encourage good coordination in the activities of stakeholders in child protection.

He said CHRAJ was established to help investigate violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

He said the District Magistrate Court had constituted a family tribunal and all cases concerning children that used to be referred to the courts at either Bawku or Bolgatanga would be handled in the district.

Mr Chinatra reminded the participants that CHRAJ did not interfere with matters pending before a law court, issues of international relations or when the president exercised his prerogative of mercy.

He said as part of plans to ensure the protection of child rights, the Commission would embark on a three-day sensitisation programme on children’s rights in nine communities within the District to educate community members on the need to protect children’s rights.

He said Child protection was beyond one person and called for support from all stakeholders in the fight against child abuse.

Mr Thomas Akayeti, the Assistant Registrar of CHRAJ in the District, said some of the violations of human rights that children were often subjected included torture, child trafficking, discrimination, maltreatment, forced labour, restrictions in access to healthcare, sexual harassment and domestic violence.

He expressed concern that some families still give out their children in marriage to satisfy the financial concerns.

Mr Richard Adongo, the District Director of Social Welfare and Community Development, in an interview with the GNA after the programme, lauded the initiative by CHRAJ and urged all to help intensify the fight against child abuse.

He said over dependence on central government would not solve the problem of child abuse in the District.

Mr Adongo said the Social Welfare and Community Development as part of its role in the fight against child abuse had also established a Child Protection Team and Child Rights Club.