In a pressing call to action, Ghana’s Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has highlighted the alarming situation of over 60,000 children living and working on the streets nationwide. During a recent Strategic Planning Retreat focused on child welfare, she emphasized the necessity for a coordinated approach among various ministries to tackle this critical issue effectively.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang urged for the formation of an inter-ministerial committee dedicated to devising strategies that would facilitate the reintegration of these children into educational environments, thereby fostering their development into responsible citizens. She articulated the need for robust frameworks involving government bodies, legal aid organizations, and civil society to address the alarming number of children who have dropped out of school.
The retreat, which spanned three days, was centered around seven key areas essential for the betterment of Ghanaian children. These focus areas include reducing child mortality rates, combating malnutrition, and enhancing literacy and numeracy skills among students. The Vice President reiterated the importance of addressing child marriage and adolescent pregnancy, while ensuring that all children are accounted for in national statistics.
During her address, she commended the country’s accomplishments in achieving 95 to 97 percent vaccination coverage for infants, but stressed that efforts must continue to reach the remaining unvaccinated children. She noted the progress made in educational enrollment and completion rates over the past thirty years, particularly for children transitioning from kindergarten to junior high school.
However, she cautioned that significant challenges remain. Over 60,000 children, primarily in urban areas, are still unregistered at birth and face severe deprivations in health, education, and basic needs. The Vice President warned that failing to address child poverty not only hampers health and educational outcomes but also increases risks of violence and exploitation, ultimately jeopardizing Ghana’s growth and development.
Echoing these concerns, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Zia Choudhury, acknowledged the quality of discussions at the retreat and affirmed the commitment to ensuring that children’s welfare remains a priority in national policies. Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission, also highlighted the urgent need to combat child marriage and early unions, reiterating the importance of collective action to secure a brighter future for Ghana’s youth.
