Political parties asked to protect rights of children

Mr William Anim-Dankwa, the Acting Country Director of the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC) has urged government and political parties to commit to peace and protect the rights of children during this year’s election.

He urged politicians not to exploit children for electoral advantage since it had the potential of corrupting their young minds forever.

Mr Anim-Dankwa was addressing the commemoration of the International Day of the African Child in Tamale on Thursday under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and a host of non-governmental organisations including World Vision, Campaign for Female Education, United Nations Children’s Fund, Actionaid and Plan Ghana.

The International Day of the African Child is celebrated on June 16 every year by the African Union in line with resolution CM/Res. 1290(XL) to commemorate the 1976 massacre of Soweto children who merely took to the streets to demand their right to racism-free education, in the then apartheid South Africa.

The local theme for this year’s event was: “Election 2016: Protecting the Rights of Children in Ghana”.

Mr Anim-Dankwa expressed concern about the many reports of involvement of children during the recent limited voter registration exercise saying; “children should be insulated from participating in elections”.

He urged the Government “to empower state institutions with resources to be able to deal with issues that are likely to send us in the direction of electoral disputes, conflicts and disagreement.”

Mr Sulemana Gbana, the Programme Manager of Plan Ghana, called for more support for children saying Plan Ghana would continue to work with government to promote children’s interest in the country.

Mr Elijah Namsah, The Acting Savelugu Base Manager of World Vision, said the NGO would, from next year, embark on a campaign to end violence against children focusing on child marriage in northern Ghana.