By Daniel Agbesi Latsu
Kadjebi (O/R), Aug. 25, GNA – District and Municipal authorities in the Oti and Volta regions have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening child protection systems and improving access to essential services for vulnerable children and families.
The commitment was made during district-level dialogues held in Kadjebi, Krachi East, Krachi West, and Kpando under the My Rights, My Future (MRMF) Project.
The project is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by Right To Play Ghana in partnership with Partners in Community Development Programme (PACODEP) and the Alliance for Community Resilience and Development (ACRAD).
The MRMF Project seeks to strengthen child protection systems, prevent child labour and trafficking, and promote the rights, protection and well-being of children in the Oti and Volta regions.
The engagements brought together representatives of local government authorities, District and Municipal Child Protection Committees and other child protection stakeholders, including the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, Ghana Police Service, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).
Discussions focused on child labour and trafficking, referral systems, access to social services and challenges affecting child protection in the beneficiary districts and municipalities.
Participants subsequently developed district-specific action plans aimed at addressing service delivery gaps and strengthening institutional coordination.
Speaking at Kadjebi, Ms Josephine Efua Gyaiduwah Baffoe, Acting Project Manager of Right To Play, urged child protection stakeholders to move beyond awareness creation and focus on practical interventions.
She said the objective was to ensure that child protection systems effectively served every child, particularly those in hard-to-reach communities, through improved coordination, stronger referral mechanisms, and sustainable investment.
Mr Innocent Komla Gavua, Kadjebi District Coordinating Director, said concerns regarding limited access to education and basic social services in some communities had been incorporated into the District Medium-Term Development Plan.
He noted that the Assembly was aware of the challenges posed by poor accessibility and remained committed to implementing long-term solutions to improve access to education, potable water, and other essential services.
At Kpando, Mr Killian Donkor, the Municipal Chief Executive, called for stronger collaboration among institutions to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhance service delivery.
He also advocated intensified public education on child protection issues and available social services.
In Krachi West, Mr Prosper Kwaku Addo, the Municipal Chief Executive, said the Assembly was investing in school infrastructure, mechanised boreholes and Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds to improve access to basic services.
Mr Yaw Kanjo, Assistant Director of the Krachi East Municipal Assembly, called for enhanced inter-agency collaboration to tackle child trafficking, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that children were protected, had access to essential services, and grew up in safe, supportive and enabling environments.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah