Gender and Children Ministry Marks 2022 World Children’s Day

The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection has reiterated the need for the celebration of “World Children’s Day” across the world.

In a press release issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Ministry on World Children’s Day, which is celebrated on November 20, the Ministry reminded the public of the adoption of both the Declaration and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which promote international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide.

Meanwhile, this year’s celebration has coincided with the commemoration of the 5th anniversary of a social behavioral campaign, “Ghanaians Against Child Abuse (GACA),” established by the government in partnership with UNICEF and other organizations.

“By creating a critical mass of people to promote the adoption of behaviors favorable to the protection of children and adolescents, the campaign seeks to reduce acceptance of social practices that have negative consequences for children.”

“The global theme for the 2022 World Children’s Day celebration is inclusion for every child. In Ghana, in order to reflect the joint celebration of WCD and GACA, the global theme has been adapted as “Creating a Safe and Protective Environment for Children—Inclusion for Every Child.” This focus is to strengthen efforts of all stakeholders to re-echo the message against abuse, violence, and discrimination and push for inclusion everywhere for every child,” it noted.

It furthered that the occasion will also make room for discussions of the achievements of GACA’s social drive and the issues affecting the Children’s Parliament to come up with some possible solutions while drawing the public’s attention to different stigmas confronting girls, pregnant teens, teen mothers, and children with disabilities.

The statement revealed a line-up of activities to celebrate World Children’s Day, which will be at the regional and national levels.

They include: sensitization in schools, communities, and on radio and TV, held on November 14 to 21, in various regions; media engagements as a build-up to the WCD/GACA celebrations, held on November 18, nationwide; sensitization at mosques, held on November 18, at both national and regional levels; sensitization at churches, held on November 20, at national and regional levels; a grooming session for children, held on November 18 to 20, in Accra; the 4th sitting of the National Children’s Parliament; and elections to be held on November 21, 2022, in Accra.

The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection urged its stakeholders to put in much effort and resources to fight and protect children against abuse, neglect, and discrimination to help improve the status of Ghanaian children.