Children development on government agenda

Amasaman (G/A), Aug 07, GNA - Hajia Alima Mahama, the Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, has said the policy of the government was to ensure that the holistic development of the child from infancy was given attention.

She said several legal instruments passed had proved the government's determination to pursue the policy to its logical conclusion.

These were contained in a speech read on her behalf at the speech and prize-giving Day of Acropolic Maranatha Academy at the weekend. She said the successful implementation of these laws, policies and programmes had improved considerably although not to the level expected but "there is hope for the Ghanaian child."

Hajia Mahama said the government had been working in collaboration with non-governmental organisations and stakeholders in creating awareness of issues such as child labour, good parenting, streetism, child trafficking and harmful traditional practices.

Hajia Mahama said birth registration recorded appreciable trends from 17 per cent in 2002 to 51 percent in 2004 and 67 percent in 2005,adding that it is expected to promote planning for children.

She said with the Capitation Grant, there had been 16.67 percent increase in enrolment, with gender variation in favour of girls (i.e. 18.31 percent and boys 15.18 percent).

Rev George Abdul Ghanem, the founder of the school, said the focus of the school is on education as a tool for development.