By Emmanuel Nyatsikor
Adaklu Waya (V/R), June 11, GNA – Pastor Ray Djimajor, Head of Programmes at the Department of Community Development, on Wednesday reminded children, especially girls, that everything they do online leaves a digital footprint.
“What goes online stays online,” he said.
Pastor Djimajor, who is also a member of the Department’s National Training Team, gave the reminder while presenting a paper on the topic, “Adolescent Development: A Time of Risks and Opportunities,” on the opening day of a two-day training workshop for members of the Adaklu District Child Protection Committee at Adaklu Waya.
The workshop is being held on the theme: “Adolescent Protection Issues and Additional Content Tools and Resources.”
Pastor Djimajor noted that while parents are the first generation raising children in the internet era, today’s children are also the first generation growing up in a digitally connected world.
“While we are the first generation of parents, our children are also the first generation to be raised during the internet era. We have a huge task on our hands because we need to guide them,” he said.
He explained that while many parents are preoccupied with the challenges of daily life, children have impressionable minds that need to be nurtured with positive values and guidance.
According to him, parenting in the 21st century is both demanding and challenging, making it essential for parents to love their children unconditionally, communicate clearly with them, and show empathy.
“Children are not distractions to your important jobs; rather, they are the important jobs on which you have to work,” he stressed.
Pastor Djimajor observed that some parents become abusive because they lack the skills to effectively address parenting challenges. He therefore urged parents to build strong friendships with their children and take an active interest in issues affecting them.
He also reminded children that although they have rights that must be protected, they equally have responsibilities toward their parents.
On the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Pastor Djimajor said the technology has many benefits but encouraged children to continue using their God-given abilities and critical thinking skills.
Ms Keren Quaye, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Community Development, said a new toolkit introduced by the Department promotes modern parenting approaches and addresses psychosocial challenges within communities.
She stated that the toolkit is currently being used in more than 100 districts across the country.
Ms Quaye noted that social problems are not created by communities, but every community faces challenges that affect children and require attention.
“Social problems have evolved, so the tools used in our conversations must also change,” she said.
Mr Jerry Yao Ameko, Adaklu District Chief Executive, in his opening remarks, urged participants to take the training seriously and become agents of change in parenting and child protection within their communities.
He said parenting has evolved over the years and that new approaches must be adopted to raise children who will make meaningful contributions to society.
Topics to be covered during the workshop include puberty in boys and girls, risks faced by adolescents and their impact on life outcomes, menstruation and menstrual hygiene management, positive parenting, child marriage, and teenage pregnancy.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu