Ghana to mark AU Day of African Child to end child injustices

Ghana, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) and stakeholders, will commemorate the 2020 AU Day of the African Child on from June 10 to create a nationwide awareness on child-friendly justice in the country.

The celebration, will commence with an issuance of a press release on June 10, social and traditional media discussions and posting of the content of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child from June 11 to 16, and Ministerial COVID-19 Press Briefing on the perspective on children in Accra.

A statement from the MoGCSP to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said the commemoration is expected to be nationwide with awareness creation at the regions, districts and local levels on the Access to Child-Friendly Justice in Ghana and the implication of COVID-19 on the protection of the rights of the child.

The celebration of the AU Day of the African Child (DAC) was instituted in the year 1976 on the 16th of June and is to be celebrated each year in memory of the children who died as a result of the unfortunate incident that took place in Soweto, South Africa.

This year’s AU Day, the statement said, coincides with the 30th Anniversary of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), which was adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of the African Unity in July 1990, and entered into force in November, 1999.

The Charter encompasses various provisions which aims at the protection and promotion of children’s rights.

Example is the administration of the juvenile justice which matches this year’s theme for the celebration of the AU Day in Ghana which is: “Access to Child-Friendly Justice in Ghana”.

The statement called on all stakeholders with the mandate to implement child rights and the public to ensure that the protection and development of children becomes a priority.

“We entreat all to mark the day by creating awareness on the need for children to have access to justice in all matters concerning their welfare. Children must be protected without any discrimination so that they can develop to their full potential,” it added.

The Ministry in collaboration with UNICEF, Plan Ghana, World Vision International, UNHCR, Child Rights International, NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child, Star Ghana, International Cocoa Initiative, Child Online Africa, International Needs Ghana, Curious Minds and other partners, wished all children in Ghana a ‘Happy AU Day’.