By Emmanuel Nyatsikor
Adaklu Waya (V/R), Aug. 31, GNA – Mr. Jerry Yao Ameko, the Adaklu District Chief Executive Friday described children as the greatest assets of any country.
He said this was because without them the country has no future.
Mr. Ameko said this when he inaugurated the Adaklu District Child Protection Committee, at Adaklu Waya.
The 19-member committee with representation from the Assembly, Social Welfare, the Police, Judiciary and Media among others, is chaired by Mr. Sylvanus Plaha, the Adaklu District Coordinating Director.
“Because they are our greatest assets we need to protect them from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence,” Mr. Ameko stated.
Mr. Ameko noted that the committee would play a vital role in implementing Child Protection Policies and ensuring the safety and well-being of children in the district.
He intimated that it was therefore one of the most important committees in the district and urged members to work hard to bring child abuse cases to the barest minimum in the district.
Mr. Ameko who is also the Dean of Volta Region Municipal and District Chief Executives, urged them to ensure the effective implementation of Child and Family Welfare Policies in the district.
He told them to work to raise awareness about Child Protection including prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse cases.
The DCE advised them to monitor all child abuse cases, collate data and report such cases to the law enforcement agencies such as the Police (DOVVSU), Social Welfare and the Courts.
“Work to identify and mitigate the abuse children go through and also provide support and build the capacity of families and communities to care for and protect children because they are vulnerable,” he directed.
Mr. Ameko urged them to “work without fear or favour no matter whose ox is gored.”
Mrs. Susan Akortia, the Adaklu District Director of the Department of Social Welfare, who is also the Secretary to the Committee, called on members to bring their expertise to bear on the work of the committee.
She stated that training would soon be organised for them to help equip them with the requisite knowledge to enable them to do their work efficiently and effectively.
Mrs. Akortia praised Mr. Ameko for the yeoman’s role he played in the formation and inauguration of the committee, which she said has been on the drawing board for some years now.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah