The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs and related organisations, has held a consultative forum for queenmothers from various parts of the country at Dodowa in the Eastern Region, to discuss the draft National Child and Family Welfare Policy.
The policy is being drafted in response to the results of a mapping exercise conducted by the ministry in 2010, which indicated the need for a comprehensive policy framework for the effective implementation of the various legal foundations and interventions for child protection and the promotion of child welfare.
The mapping exercise revealed that in spite of the legal framework prohibiting child labour under the Children’s Act, the nation still recorded instances of children engaged to work in some rural and urban communities, child trafficking, early and forced marriages and parental neglect.
In response to the findings, and to address the challenges, the ministry has commenced work on a new comprehensive national policy to ensure that there is coordination between thematic policy frameworks and programmes.
In an address read on her behalf by a Deputy Minister-designate, Ms Dela Soway, Nana Oye said evidence from the mapping exercise revealed that the family and community constituted the best framework to help achieve better child protection.
She explained that the policy was to ensure the welfare and well-being of children and families by supporting and prompting family and community strategies and processes, adding that it would also ensure that services were available for children and their families when they faced difficulties.
“Presently, the system only kicks in when a violation has occurred. Under the new policy, prevention is primary through continuous engagement with families and communities on issues of children’s welfare,” Nana Oye said.
She, therefore, said the new policy could only be achieved through advocacy for strong community structures, direct services provision, public education and information dissemination.
He encouraged them to use their positions as queenmothers to stop child labour, early and forced marriages and promote girl-child education.
The Queenmother for the Buipe Traditional Area in the Northern Region, Bridgewurche Barchisu, called for intensive education on children’s welfare in the rural and remote areas, since most of the challenges came from there.
The mapping exercise revealed that in spite of the legal framework prohibiting child labour under the Children’s Act, the nation still recorded instances of children engaged to work in some rural and urban communities, child trafficking, early and forced marriages and parental neglect.
In response to the findings, and to address the challenges, the ministry has commenced work on a new comprehensive national policy to ensure that there is coordination between thematic policy frameworks and programmes.
Significance
In a speech read on her behalf at the forum, the Minister for MoGCSP, Nana Oye Lithur, said the first draft policy would be out next month, while the final draft was expected to be ready by the end of the year.In an address read on her behalf by a Deputy Minister-designate, Ms Dela Soway, Nana Oye said evidence from the mapping exercise revealed that the family and community constituted the best framework to help achieve better child protection.
She explained that the policy was to ensure the welfare and well-being of children and families by supporting and prompting family and community strategies and processes, adding that it would also ensure that services were available for children and their families when they faced difficulties.
“Presently, the system only kicks in when a violation has occurred. Under the new policy, prevention is primary through continuous engagement with families and communities on issues of children’s welfare,” Nana Oye said.
She, therefore, said the new policy could only be achieved through advocacy for strong community structures, direct services provision, public education and information dissemination.
Dr Daanaa
The Minister for Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Dr Henry Seidu Daanaa, said queenmothers were indispensable, hence the need for them to promote women and children’s rights and welfare through sensitisation programmes.He encouraged them to use their positions as queenmothers to stop child labour, early and forced marriages and promote girl-child education.
The Queenmother for the Buipe Traditional Area in the Northern Region, Bridgewurche Barchisu, called for intensive education on children’s welfare in the rural and remote areas, since most of the challenges came from there.
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