25th Annual Congress of Private Medical Practitioners opens

Takoradi, Aug 8, GNA- The Minister of Women and Children Affairs, Mrs Gladys Asmah, on Friday stressed the need to evolve a working partnership between the government, non-governmental organisations and civil society to overcome the problems associated with street children. She was addressing the 25th Annual Congress of Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners Ghana (SPMDP).

The theme of the congress is: "The Emerging problems of Streetism in Ghana-Social, Health and legal Implications".

Mrs Asmah said the phenomenon of street children could be solved at virtually no cost if families and communities live up to their duties and responsibilities as parents and family members.

She said government interventions in the form of legislation and policies require public co-operation to become enforceable and meaningful.

"Our society and its people particularly parents and the family must rise up to the challenges to take up their responsibilities of caring for and guiding the younger generation'', she said.

''Government initiatives of providing work opportunities for people to work for themselves and improve their incomes and livelihood through the opening up of the countryside for productive investments," she said.

Mrs Asmah said her ministry would soon start screening as many street children to identify their parents and the communities they belong.

The Western Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, said street children, is a serious social problem particularly in the urban centres. He said the problem, which seems to be assuming alarming proportions, has critical and far-reaching implications for the socio-economic growth and development of the country.

Mr Aidoo appealed to the medical practitioners to reflect on the issue with the view to finding lasting solutions to them. "We as a nation have to collectively ensure that the policy objectives on health are fully implemented for the benefit of Ghanaians," he said.

Mr Aidoo said Ghanaians should not be seen to be relying always on the development partners in matters of streetism, adding that they can only serve as facilitators.

He said the government appreciates the valuable services the private medical and dental practitioners are rendering to many Ghanaians across the length and breadth of the country in complementing government's efforts in improving health status of the people.

Mr Aidoo, therefore, urged practitioners, NGOs and stakeholders to continue to take active interest in addressing health problems. Dr Sam Amponsah, National chairman of SPMDP, assured the government that private medical and dental practitioners would do everything in their power to assist the government to find solution to street children and other related health issues. 08 Aug. 03