By Philip Tengzu
Wa, (UW/R), Nov. 20, GNA – Plan International Ghana has organised a capacity-building workshop for selected teachers in three districts in the Upper West Region as part of efforts to strengthen child protection and safeguarding within basic schools.
The workshop, which formed part of a two-year “PROTECT Project”, would also empower the teachers to promote gender equality and enhance inclusion in the schools.
The project was being implemented by Plan International Ghana in partnership with the Community Development Alliance (CDA) in the Wa East, Wa Municipal and Wa West District under its Child Sponsorship Programme.
The intervention, which was also being implemented in the North East Region, aimed at creating a conducive and resilient environment for every child to grow and realise his or her full potential.
The training directly benefited 390 participants, comprising teachers, School Improvement Support Officers and heads of supervision drawn from 78 schools in 60 communities where the Child Sponsorship Programme was being implemented.
Speaking at the opening of the two-day workshop in Wa, Mr Sulemana Gbana, the Northern Programme Influencing and Impact Area Manager, Plan International Ghana, expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute to improved protection and development outcomes for children.
He indicated that the organisation was working to ensure that structures at the school, family, community and district levels provided safe, inclusive and child-friendly environments for children to thrive.
“When you go back to your schools, cascade the training to the rest of the teachers who are not part of this session, so that together we can create a learning environment where a child will want to be in school rather than staying at home”, Mr Gbana explained.
He added that as part of the project, they would also provide furniture for some schools to help address shirtages in those schools.
Mr Salifu Issifu Kanton, the Executive Director of CDA-Ghana, noted that teachers played a critical role in ensuring schools remained safe spaces for all children.
He encouraged the participants to commit to child protection and safeguarding, promoting safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive learning environments.
Mr Kantong discouraged the use of corporal punishment in child correction, stressing that the Ghana Education Service had issued clear guidelines restricting its use in schools.
“A number of our children are running away from school because we are giving them some hot lashes.
A good number of us still believe that caning is the best way to discipline a child, but everything has to be moderated”, he explained.
Mr Kanton also expressed concern about rising cases of child marriage in rural communities, which was depriving many girls of education.
He, therefore, encouraged female teachers to serve as role models for girls and motivate them to aspire for higher heights.
Mr Yahaya Mumuni Abdul-Rahman, the Wa East District Education Director, commended Plan International Ghana for the intervention as it would help enhance children’s access to education.
He appealed for the extension of the project to other schools in the district due to the high poverty rate, which had left many girls in vulnerable situations.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Christian Akorlie