By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Takoradi, Oct. 31, GNA – A moot Parliament by children in public schools within the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly has underscored critical needs requiring redress by the various Ministries, Department and Agencies.
The Members of Parliament discussed, issues of non-functioning street lights that made nightlife scary and unsafe, scholarships to enable needy but bright students to stay in school, poor roads and large or spacious classrooms that allowed for conducive learning.
The House also discussed poor cafeteria or eating areas in public schools, the quality and quantity of school feeding programme, improper washrooms, access to potable water and CHPs compound affecting the wellbeing of children in the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipality.
Other issues under deliberations were the lack of police station, disability friendly access in schools, noise pollution and flooding that made trekking to school a scary venture during rainy season.
The house was led by speaker – Precious Aseidu Tetteh while, the Majority leader was Michal Mercy Osam-Pinako and the Minority side had Eugenia Quayson.
Sitting was adjourned to October 30, 2027.
Dr Kwame Sakyi, a child development advocate, called for the active involvement of children in policymaking to help identify gaps and improve upon policies affecting their welfare.
Speaking at a Children’s Parliament programme organised by the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development under the EPIC project, he said children’s participation was both a right and a way to ensure policies reflected their needs.
Dr Sakyi said children aged five to 17 had identified concerns including water pollution, illegal mining, unsafe roads, inadequate streetlights and limited recreational facilities through drawings and household materials.
He said their submissions highlighted issues that were overlooked during the revision of Ghana’s Early Childhood Development Policy, including pollution, mining and climate change.
Mr. Fiifi Buckman, the Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim commended the students for openly expressing their concerns, needs and aspirations, saying their contributions were important in promoting safer communities and ensuring that development efforts addressed the realities they faced.
He urged the children to be agent of patriotism, and pledged to keep the children and also invite them to Parliament to experience at first hand what actually transpired in the house.
Mr. Buckman praised the teachers and the organising committee for the initiative to nurture such great minds for the future.
Mr. Musah Adamu, the Presiding Member for Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipality noted the need to provide children with meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that affected their lives and future.
He said the Children’s Parliament also exposed the children to the principles of democracy, leadership, debate, accountability and civic responsibility.
Under the EPIC project, the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development (CLCD) and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection are organising the Children’s Parliament for participants aged 13 to 17.
The platform would enable them to review early childhood development plans in five districts and identify gaps, including issues such as homelessness and teenage pregnancy.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter Mildred Siabi-Mensah