GNCC to prosecute erring parents

Koforidua, July 12, GNA - The Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC) is to put before the law courts parents who are found to have failed to maintain their children but allow them to roam the streets and public parking lots in search of food and shelter. Mr Anthony Dontoh, the Eastern Regional Coordinator of GNCC, said the commission was concerned about the free care attitude being exhibited by some parents towards their children's welfare.

''Prosecuting such persons is a major way out in deterring other parents from being reckless towards their children's welfare.'' Mr Dontoh was speaking in an interview with the GNA on Monday about the increasing number of children at lorry stations in the Koforidua Municipality to engage in menial jobs to eke some living. He said the commission was empowered under the Children's Act to ensure that parents are by law compelled to adequately maintain their children.

made the station their home where they compete with each other to carry loads of passengers for fees.

Mr Dontoh said the GNCC will soon round-up the children, screen them and take to court parents who are found to have the means to take of their children but have refused to do so.

''Some parents may be spared on grounds of truancy on the part of their wards. A similar exercise recently carried out by the commission led to placing of a number of children in foster homes,'' he said.