NGOs to collaborate on children's issues

Accra, July 25, GNA - Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women and Children Affairs (MOWAC), on Friday called for a concerted effort by all stakeholders to address issues affecting children, which range from child exploitation to slavery, streetism, abuse and neglect. She said government being the major stakeholder would collaborate with the various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other partners to improve the situation of children. This was contained in a speech read for her at a forum for child-related NGOs in the Greater Accra Region to collaborate towards the attainment of the protection and development of the child.

The forum, attended by 63 NGOs and child development advocates and organized by the Ministry was under the theme: "MOWAC, Ghana National Commission on Children, NGOs Networking for Better Collaboration". Mrs. Asmah mentioned duplication as one of the major problem facing the NGOs. She said it was unfortunate that many of the NGOs always felt uncomfortable whenever a critical searchlight was thrown on their activities and urged them to accept the reality since they received assistance. The Minister said a draft Gender and Children Policy and the Early Childhood Care and Development Programmes by the Ministry have been put on the website for stakeholders to make their input. She appealed to the NGOs to reduce and eliminate all problems of omission and commission, which retard their efforts.

Mrs Mary Amadu, Director of the Department of Social Welfare, called for an urgent attention to address the issue of streetism and drug abuse which she described as a "social canker" and entreated the NGOs to venture into those areas. She urged the various children's homes that give children out for adoption to follow laid down procedures to give the children a better home and also be accepted to a decent family.

Mr Kofi Adu, Executive Director of the Ghana Association of Private Voluntary Organizations and Development (GAPVOD), called for a partnership between civil society and government and create better living conditions for children.