As the African Continent marks the African Union (AU) Day of African Child today, the Volta Regional Office of Department of Children has initiated a campaign to educate parents to adapt to new strategies to teach and nurture their wards in the midst of COVID-19 and temporary closure of schools.
The Volta Regional (V/R) Director of Department of Children, Israel Akrobortu disclosed that the move is to keep children learning and protected to minimize the negative impact of the pandemic in the lives of the children.
The campaign is facilitated by the Department of Children with funding from two Child Rights Organisations, World Vision and Plan International Ghana and it is being carried out on radio stations and community information centres across the Volta and Oti Regions.
This year’s African Union (AU) Day of the African Child coincides with the 30th anniversary celebration of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child Union (ACRWC) under the theme, “Defining a Child Friendly Justice System”.
The Charter covers various provisions which aim at protection and promotion of children’s right.
The Volta Regional Director of Department of Children, Israel Akrobortu noted that the enormous challenge that the Coronavirus pandemic poses with the temporary closure of schools requires parents and communities, in general, to collaborate to seek for the welfare of children especially in the areas of education and health.
He called on all to ensure that children practice personal hygiene and the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) health and safety protocols to prevent them from contracting the virus.
He also urged parents to provide the avenue and adequate materials for their wards to keep learning at home.
Mr Akrobortu also stressed the need for parents to avoid the use of force and violence in nurturing their wards which will amount to child abuse.
By: Elorm Yao Aryee
