UNICEF Ghana in collaboration with the Government of Ghana under the Child Protection Programme donated five No. AG motorbikes, Five (5) No. computers and accessories under the programme in some selected Districts in the Upper West Region. According to UNICEF Ghana a strengthened child protection system would ensure justice for all children. All children would increasingly grow up in homes and communities that are free from violence, abuse and exploitation.
Addressing participants in a weeklong child protection program on Friday 22nd December, 2017 at the In- Service Training Center in Wa, the Upper West Regional Minister Hon. Alhaji Sulemana Alhassan said Government in collaboration with its development partners and civil society actors has been implementing a range of policies, programs and activities for strengthening the country’s child protection system.
Alhaji Sulemana said 39% of children between 5-17 years are engaged in some form of economic activity, mainly unpaid family works and apprenticeship or in low paid work primarily in agriculture and fishing. Of these nearly 20% (1.27 million children) were engaged in activities classified as child labor.
At the presentation ceremony of the five AG motorbikes to the beneficiary Districts, Hon. Alhaji Sulemana admonished them to take good care of the motorbikes to extend their lifespan.
The Regional Director for Community Development Mr. Moses Anabanga in his remarks said the five beneficiary districts were selected based on a 2016 special training for child protection they undertook.
Mr. Anabanga added that certain tools were developed using a designed Application during the training. According to him, the tools would be used to identify child protection challenges and how best these challenges could be addressed.
He further added that the Application would cover most aspects of child protection such as teenage pregnancies, child neglect and other vices against children.
The beneficiary Districts namely Wa Municipal, Daffiama/Bussie/Issa, Lawra, Lambussie and Sissala East were each given one AG motorbike with computers and their accessories.