Poverty contributes to lack of care for children by Northern parents

The Deputy Officer at the Social Welfare Department of the Savelugu/Nanton Municipal Assembly, Madam Issahaku Baidawo, has attributed the lack of proper care for children by parents in the northern region partly to the level of poverty.

She said even though some parents are fully aware of their responsibility towards their children, they are unable to meet them and as such, neglect the children making them exposed to vices that make them get into conflict with the law.

Madam Baidawo who was speaking to Shaibu Awudu on Might Morning Show’s "Home Issues", indicated that “even though poverty is the major cause for the child neglect, there are some other avoidable factors contributing to that same end”.

She cited the lack of societal guidance and protection of today’s child because of barriers parents of today create between their children and neighbours.

She said in the olden days, an adult had the right to straighten a child they come across engaging in social vices without their parents asking any questions but those things don’t exist anymore.

She also said sometimes children from wealthy homes also get into conflict with the law after their parents assure them of the powers they have to bail them out of any trouble they engage themselves in.

Issahaku Baidawo advised children to learn from adults who have lived positive lives and not get attracted to adults who become heroes for the wrong reasons.

She also advised parents to do their best in providing cover for their wards because according to her, “the juvenile system can also catch up with adults”.