Churches urged to eliminate child trafficking

Kumasi, July 22, GNA - The Reverend Frank Agbeko Dileabornu, chairman of the African Rural Evangelistic Association (AREA), on Wednesday urged Churches to initiative positive measures towards the elimination of child trafficking.

He noted that the most important asset of every nation was its human resource and called on Ghanaians to protect the rights of children who form the bulk of the country's population.

Rev Dileabornu, who speaking at the close of a four-day HIV/AIDS and child trafficking awareness creation programme organised by the AREA in Kumasi, said the practice was inhuman and affected the psychological development of children.

Rev Dileabornu observed that though Churches were deeply involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, they could not do much to eliminate child trafficking that posed a threat to national development.

Rev Agbeko expressed regret that some parents sold their children to child traffickers and appealed to Churches to join the crusade against child trafficking and child labour.

" Children are gifts from God and we are morally obliged to ensure their comfort and proper physical and spiritual development". Pastor Israel Gbaffah, General Secretary of the Association, said though some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were committed to eliminating child trafficking, they lacked funds to enable them to work effectively.

He, therefore, appealed to the Government to assist such NGOs with funds from the Poverty Alleviation Fund.

Apostle Deacon K. Duah, patron of AREA, warned the youth against pre marital sex and urged married couples to be faithful to their partners to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

He asked Ghanaians to support Government in its fight against the pandemic and reminded the public that no known cure had been found to the disease yet.