By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Bolgatanga, June 18, GNA – Stakeholders in child welfare, education and health have called for renewed commitment and stronger partnerships to create an enabling environment where every child can grow, learn and thrive.
The call was made during the commemoration of the 2026 Day of the African Child in Bolgatanga, held under the theme: “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa.”
The event was organised by the Department of Children with support from ActionAid Ghana, a youth-focused non governmental organisation, and brought together children from 10 schools and actors in child protection and welfare sector.
Mrs Georgina Aberese-Ako, the Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Children, expressed concern about increasing incidents of child abuse, including sexual abuse in schools, and called on all stakeholders to contribute to creating safe and protective environments for children.
She reminded the public that the Day of the African Child commemorated the courage of children in Soweto, South Africa, who lost their lives in 1976 while demanding quality education.
Mrs Aberese-Ako said the event offered an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on their collective responsibility towards children and recommit themselves to promoting their wellbeing.
“As we gather to celebrate, learn and share ideas, let us renew our commitments to fight for it together. This is the partnership to create an environment where every child can grow, learn and thrive,” she said.
She noted that access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene was a fundamental right essential for every child’s survival, health, dignity and development, and urged children to take responsibility for maintaining facilities provided for them.
Ms Dora Kulariba, the Upper East Regional Adolescent Focal Person of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), stressed the importance of good hygiene practices in preventing infections among children and adolescents.
She encouraged young people to seek healthcare whenever they noticed unusual changes in their bodies and urged both boys and girls to pay attention to personal hygiene.
She observed that adolescent girls recorded higher numbers of reported sexually transmitted infections and pregnancies than boys, partly because girls were more likely to seek healthcare services.
Ms Kulariba said available data showed a reduction in adolescent pregnancy cases compared to previous years but stressed the need for sustained education and awareness creation to further reduce the numbers.
Ms Rita Abamah, the Upper East Regional Girl Child Education Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), said girls were often disproportionately affected by inadequate water and sanitation facilities, especially in schools.
She called for gender-responsive sanitation facilities, including separate toilets and urinals for boys and girls, to ensure safety, privacy and dignity for all learners.
Ms Abamah further encouraged children to report abuse to trusted adults, teachers, guidance coordinators, girls’ education officers or through available child protection reporting channels.
Ms Yvonne Wonchua, the Assistant Director at the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, encouraged the pupils to take ensure discipline, learn hard and care of their school property.
Mr Yakubu Akuka, Upper East Regional Programmes Manager of ActionAid Ghana, urged stakeholders to adopt positive disciplinary approaches that combined accountability with guidance, mentorship and support rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
The Day of the African Child is commemorated annually on June 16 across Africa to honour the memory of the Soweto children and advocate for the promotion and protection of children’s rights.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Email: [email protected]