Governments of Ghana and the United States of America have signed a $ 5million Child Protection Compact at the Flagstaff House in Accra.
This is the first time the US is signing this kind of compact with any country.
The five year partnership will enhance the efforts of the Government of Ghana and civil society organizations to address child trafficking and forced child labour in Ghana.
The ceremony which was witnessed by President John Mahama, was signed by Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur for Ghana while the US Ambassador to Ghana, Gene Cretz signed for the United States. According to the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, Ghana was selected because of her “strong government commitment, existing inter-ministerial framework and active civil society fighting child trafficking”. She further stated that Ghana has proved that it has the potential to reduce child trafficking through improved coordination and enhanced investigations and prosecutions.
Ghana’s legislative and policy framework for child protection has been strengthened over the past two and a half years with the Human Trafficking Legislative Instrument and the Domestic Violence Legislative Instrument forwarded to the Parliamentary Subsidiary Legislation Committee for consideration.
The Minister also said“Cabinet has also approved a Child and Family Welfare Policy. Furthermore, a national campaign against early and child marriages with support from UNICEF and the Netherlands has been launched”.
The US Ambassador to Ghana Gene Cretz, who signed for the US, acknowledged the fight against modern slavery as “a priority for both Ghana and the USA”. He said the signing of the Child Protection Compact Partnership is a significant step forward for both countries toward the elimination of child trafficking.
President John Dramani Mahama was happy that such a compact has been signed. He was optimistic it will allow children in Ghana to receive protection from the state.
The programme is expected to be implemented through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection with three other Ministries. They are: The Ministry of Justice and Attorney General The Ministry for the Interior and the Ministry for Employment and Labour Relations.
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By: Magdalene Teiko Larnyoh/citifmonline.com/Ghana