Ghanaians Against Child Abuse (GACA), a campaign to ensure that all forms of abuses against children are highlighted and tackled has been launched at Katiejeli in the Kpandai district of the northern region.
The campaign is intended to created awareness on the effects of child abuse especially among children of school going age.
This leg of the campaign received support from music stars, M.anifest and Mzvee, and sports journalist, Gary Al Smith, among others.
Speaking to Citi News, the District Chief Executive for Kpandai, Atta Emmanuel Kofi Tatablata bemoaned the situation in the district where children of school going age are usually seen loitering during school hours.
“They are also sometimes engaged in farming and other income-generating activities when they should be in school and most parents do not care about the well-being of the children,” he added.
The DCE, therefore, urged parents to ensure that children get the best of education, healthcare, shelter, feeding, clothing and affection to enable them to develop their full potential.
“As parent or guardians, I urge you all to ensure that basic necessities are provided for the children to enable them to grow to be responsible leaders. I call on you to desist from the practice of taking out the female children from school and giving them out into early marriage as it denies them of access to education.”
On his part, the Regional Director of the Department of Community Development in the Northern Region appealed to all stakeholders to get on board to realign their activities towards addressing issues of child abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation that will prepare the children to be responsible leaders in the future.
The chief of Katiejeli, Nana Adjabaso also pledged the support of the community to help advocate for the prevention of all forms of abuse in the area.
This Child Protection Social Drive seeks to reduce the acceptance of social practices that have negative consequences on the protection of children by creating a critical mass of people capable to promote the adoption of behaviours favourable to the protection of children and adolescents.
This drive is targeting a reduction in cases of violence against children and adolescents.
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By: Mohammed Aminu M. Alabira/citifmonline.com/Ghana