By Albert Futukpor
Bognaayili (N/R), March 17, GNA – Some children under the Child-Friendly Accountability Mechanism (CFAM) platform in the Sagnarigu and Kumbungu Districts have appealed to parents to prioritise the education of their children by providing their school needs.
They called for an end to all forms of abuse against children such as child marriages, child labour, and neglect among others, saying such abuse affected their well-being and development.
This was in a communique, read on behalf of the CFAM members by Miss Ilham Maltiti Abdul-Aziz, a student, during the CFAM District Level Forum at Bognaayili in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region.
The communique called for equal opportunities for all children at all levels to attain their potentials.
The forum, attended by schoolchildren, parents and representatives of some state institutions, including Ghana Education Service and chiefs, was to enable children to identify child protection gaps in their communities and advocate ways to address them.
It was organised by Markaz-Al-Bishara Child Development Programme (MABCDP) with support from Children Believe, an international non-governmental organisation.
It was on the theme: “Curbing the Menace of School Drop Out: The Role of Parents, Caregivers and Duty-bearers in the Sagnarigu Municipality and Kumbungu District.”
As part of the forum, the children staged a drama to showcase the challenges they faced in their communities regarding access to education, which included parents’ inability to provide their educational needs leaving some to drop out of school and others becoming deviants in society.
The communique said, “We pledge to play our part as responsible children and appeal to stakeholders and duty-bearers to also pledge to provide educational services, health, shelter, justice delivery and social services that will serve as a vehicle for us to fulfil our full potentials in future.”
Madam Esenam Kavi De Souza, Country Director, Children Believe, whose speech was read on her behalf, said the organisation existed to promote the welfare and development of children by giving them opportunities to exhibit their potentials.
She spoke against all forms of abuse, neglect and discrimination of children irrespective of their standing in society and called on parents and stakeholders to play their critical role of giving children the opportunity to grow by providing the necessary support and guidance.
Mr Sulemana Yahaya, Kumbungu District Director of Education, whose speech was read on his behalf during the forum, acknowledged the issues raised by the children and emphasised the need for all stakeholders to always address educational needs of their children.
GNA
EA/CA