Accra, June 16, GNA - Mrs Juliana Azumah, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, on Wednesday observed that children's rights and welfare are intrinsically linked to the public budget because of the cost involved in protecting those liberties.

She said spending money on children's rights is important because they are voiceless and vulnerable but forms a large part of the population. They are also affected by poor nutrition, health and education. Mrs Azumah made the observation when she presented a statement in Parliament to mark the Africa Union (AU) Day of the African Child that falls on June 16 every year.

The day is set aside by the AU then the Organisation of African Unity in commemoration of the massacre of some school children in Soweto, South Africa who were marching in protest against the discriminatory apartheid educational system.

This year's celebration is on the theme: "Planning and Budgeting for children; Our Collective Responsibility." Mrs Azumah said her ministry has an important role to play in formulating, promoting, co-ordinating and monitoring all policies and programmes that empower women and children by spearheading government's effort to mainstream gender and children's issues into programmes of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies. She urged the public to embrace and understand the concept of appropriate budgeting for children.

Mr Rashid Pelpou, Deputy Majority Speaker who supported the statement said there was the need to give children some civic education and let them know which direction the country was moving for their holistic development. Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minority Leader said the AU day of African Child could be traced from the days of the first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah where people witnessed school children being beaten. He said: "We should resolve never to move towards that path again." Mr Mensah-Bonsu said abortion was another issue, which should be taken seriously and addressed especially by the Attorney General's Department. 16 June 10