Parents urged to ensure total security for children

The Executive Director of Redemption Care International,(RCI) a child-centered Non

Governmental Organisation, Nana Yaa Abrefi Bonsu, has called on parents to put in

place adeauqte measures to ensure the total security of children in the country.

She has also urged churches to map out effective strategies to ensure that children

are well educated and protected since government alone can not carry those

responsibilities.

Nana Abrefi Bonsu was speaking to Space FM's Francis Owusu-Ansah on the AU Day of

the African Child which is observed on the June 16, every year. The theme for this

year's celebration is "All Together For Urgent Action In Favour of Street Children".

She expressed worry about lack of parental control which has led to increasing cases

of child labour in most African countries and called for sustained interventions

from civil societies.

The NGO director called on government to make adequate funds available to state

institutions such as the Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children

Affairs to enbale them carry out their mandate of caring for children.

The International Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 every year

since 1991, when it was first initiated by the Organisation of African Unity.

It honours those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 on that day. It

also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education

provided to African children.

Nana Yaa Abrefi Bonsu noted that there is the need to learn to talk to children so

that they can make us their confidant.

"We need to know mood of children and sit back and watch how they develop. Take

charge of the affairs of our children make children our friends and let us inculcate

in them the African family values.", she said.

While noting the importance of parents in the development of children, Nana Yaa

Abrefi Bonsu pointed out that those roles cannot be transferred or abdicated.

She enjoined parents to see the task of parenting as collaborative efforts of the

father and mother stressing that inculcating family values in the children is a non

negotiable task for both parents.

Nana Yaa Abrefi Bonsu noted that child abuse does not stop at sexual abuse and

harassment, noting that parents who abandon or neglect their children due to career

or religious engagement; or deny them the basic fundamental rights as enlisted in

the United Nations Charter on the Rights of Children have abused such children.

In a related development, the General Overseer of the Living Grace Ministries and

Executive Director of the Christian Leadership Institute, Bishop Richard

Owuusu-Akyeaw, has noted that beyond the provision of education and other basic

needs of children, parents should not only create and spend time with them but

should also address issues that affect them at home or in the school.

Bishop Richard said parenting is a serious business that cannot be abandoned,

abdicated or transfered to our house helps or relations who can easily molest or

abuse our children.

He added that if parents become negligent or careless they will not be guiltless if

children are victims of child abuse.

The General Overseer said though government has the responsibility of formulating

and implementing policies and programmes to impact positively on the development of

children especially those who are socially, educationally or

economically-disadvantaged, parents, churches and other civil organisations equally

must share in that responsibility.

Bishop Richard stressed that government at all levels must implement legislations

that protect the rights of the African child such as the United Nations Convention

on Rights of the child, African charter on Human and peoples’ Rights and the Child

Rights Act.

Meanwhile, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of the Department of Children, Mr

Hammond Oppong Kwarteng, has told Space FM in Sunyani that non-maintenance of

children is the major headache facing the department. He said lack of parental care

for children has resulted in increasing numbers of street children.

The regional director however pointed out that some children have also refused to be

properly catered for by their parents because they prefer to drive or sell to make

quick money. He urged such children to reconsider their decisions since education is

the key to success

Mr Oppong Kwarteng appealed to parents, especially fathers to honour their

responsibilities towards children at all times.