Plan Ghana kicks against caning of school children

Wa, May 15, GNA - Mr. Kofi Adade Debrah, Northern Sector Manager of Plan Ghana, a non-governmental organisation has kicked against the caning= of pupils in school, saying the practice encourages truancy. Mr. Debrah was speaking at the launch of the "Learn without Fear" campaign in Wa Municipality, capital of the Upper West Region on Saturday= .. He said statistics regarding child abuse in the region provided by t= he Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVSSU)of the Ghana Police Service indicated 16.9 per cent of the cases was defilement, 18.2 per cen= t, abduction and 51.9 per cent non-maintenance of children by parents. Mr. Debrah said the figures indicated that children protection and maintenance should be given serious attention by government and the socie= ty. He said for Ghana to attain the middle income level it was the responsibility of all, especially teachers and parents to assist the yout= h to acquire good education by creating the conducive atmosphere devoid of violence. Mr. Christopher Teye, Municipal Plan Ghana Area Manager said violenc= e in schools had a negative impact on children's development. He said the campaign stood against all forms of violence in schools such as sexual abuse, bullying, teasing and caning. Mr. Yakubu Duogu, Municipal Chief Executive commended Plan Ghana for=

the laudable educational campaign and urged the organisation to embark on= a national support programme to get all laws that protects children enacted= .. Mr. Alex Amanya, Regional Commander of DOVVSU asked the public to report sexual abuse cases to the police for immediate action.