Western Region celebrates National Children's Day.

Agona-Nkwanta (W/R), Oct 16, GNA- The government's commitment to enhance the welfare of women and children is demonstrated in the creation of a separate ministry for them and the promulgation of the Children's Act, says Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Western Regional Minister.

He said what is left to be done is for stakeholders to collaborate their efforts and take a step further to ensure that these statutes do not remain on paper but are enforced to the letter for the benefit of children.

These were contained in an address read for him at the Western Regional celebration of this year's National Children's day at Agona-Nkwanta in the Ahanta West District on Thursday.

The celebration has the theme, "Providing resource centres for child development in our communities".

Mr Aidoo said the country has not only signed the UN convention on the Rights of the Child but it has also put in place many laws to protect the Ghanaian child.

He said what really matters are not the laws but the people's goodwill to eliminate all aspects of their life that militate against the orderly growth of children.

In spite of the economic difficulties, the Regional Minister said, the government has adopted pragmatic measures under the HIPC initiative to accelerate the provision of infrastructure and social services to enhance the lot of children.

"The provision of a number of schools, learning materials and equipment attests to the government's commitment to ensure that children get the necessary training for the future and translate tenets of the Convention on the Rights of the Child into reality", he said.

Master Isaac Bonyah of the Agona Junior Secondary School "A" commended the government for taking measures to promote the rights and well being of children.

He called for the enforcement the laws to ensure quality education for all.

He suggested a ban on the importation and screening of pornographic or films not suitable for children on the national television and at public places.