Parents should not use police to discipline wayward children

Nkoranza (B/A), Feb. 25, GNA - Police Chief Inspector Augustine Webura of the Nkoranza Police Station has condemned the practice by some parents who harass the police to arrest and discipline their recalcitrant children.

"The practice is wrong since truancy or refusal to attend school cannot be regarded as a criminal offence", he said.

Speaking to Ghana News Agency in an interview, Chief Inspector Webura expressed concern about child neglect cases and parental irresponsibility in the District, saying children from such homes were likely to roam the streets to the detriment of their education. "Parents should therefore assess themselves and support, care for and give the necessary attention to their children in their education", he said.

Chief Inspector Webura called on parents to visit their children's schools regularly and interact with teachers to monitor the performance of the children as well as know problems facing them. Chief Inspector Webura urged the staff of the District Education Directorate to visit schools to check truancy, absenteeism and lateness among both children and teachers.

"Teachers should show much love and affection for the children entrusted into their care and handle them as their own so that they could feel free to approach them with their problems", he said. The Chief Inspector asked religious leaders to use the pulpit to promote love, care and attention from parents towards their children "who are natural assets from God".

He advised his colleagues as well as other security agents not to use their uniforms and positions to create barriers between them and the growing innocent youth.