Committees on Child Right inaugurated in Eastern Region

Koforidua, Nov. 18, GNA- The Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Francis Osafo-Mensah, has observed that district assemblies' in the region were not proactive in the implementation of the Children's Act of 1998, "either out of ignorance or sheer refusal" to do so. He said the Act enjoins District Assemblies to promote the welfare and the rights of children within their areas of authority. Dr Osafo-Mensah made the observation, in a speech read on his behalf during the inauguration of 17 municipal and district committees in Koforidua.

He urged the members to live up to expectation by discharging their responsibilities satisfactorily.

The New Juaben Municipal Coordinator of Basic Schools, Reverend Mac-Lord Afriyie, who inducted the members into office, noted that in a number of third world countries, many children suffer deprivation, abuse and neglect, hence the decision of Ghana to help reverse the situation. The Regional Coordinator of Ghana National Commission on Children, Mr Anthony Dontoh spoke against the exploitation of children by some communities to travel long distances in search for water, which he said often disrupted their education.

Mr Dontoh said child neglect cases ranked high among reported cases at the Regional Office of the Department of Social Welfare and the Women and Juvenal Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

A Principal Legal Officer of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Mr Daniel Obeng called for public education on the law on the rights of children.