Irene Opare is a veteran Ghanaian actress
Veteran actress Irene Opare has called on parents to take a more active role in protecting their children, particularly when work and other responsibilities keep them away from home.
Her appeal followed an encounter with three children she came across while driving. Irene said she noticed a boy, estimated to be about seven years old, walking by the roadside with two much younger children, believed to be between two and three years old.
The actress suspected that the older boy had been sent to collect the younger children from school and was escorting them home.
She noted that the sight of the children walking alongside a busy road, with several vehicles passing by, immediately worried her.
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Irene said she stopped her vehicle and approached the children to find out where they were headed. Although she wanted to ensure they got home safely, she explained that taking them into her car was not an option because they were not her children and there were risks involved in transporting children belonging to strangers.
Sharing the experience in a video posted on social media, the actress said the encounter prompted her to think about the challenges parents face while trying to provide for their families.
She acknowledged that the current economic climate makes it necessary for many parents to work hard, but said earning a living should not come at the expense of children’s safety and supervision.
Irene urged parents to make deliberate efforts to know where their children are and how they are getting home from school.
She also advised those who cannot personally pick up their younger children to make arrangements for trusted adults to do so.
“Please, let’s keep an eye on our children, parents, I beg you. Do not let work keep you away from your children. If you can’t pick them up, get someone older to do so. Please, let’s do this,” she appealed.
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