The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cynthia Morrison has hinted of plans by the Ministry to step up its monitoring and supervision roles on orphanages to ensure proper treatment of children in such homes.
She disclosed that her outfit will engage national service personnel who will frequently visit the orphanages as well as monitor the implementation of other social protection policies under the Ministry.
Mrs Morrison said this in Ho, when she opened a three-day national validation meeting on proposed amendments to the Children’s Act, Juvenile Justice Act and Related Laws.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cynthia Morrison said the Ministry will ensure a robust legal framework to safeguard the rights of children and child protection systems.
Touching on the recent investigative piece on child abuse at the Echoing Hill Orphanage, by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Mrs Morrison said orphanages who fall short of existing laws that regulate their activities will be closed down or taken over by the Ministry.
A Child Protection Specialist with UNICEF, Hilda Mensah urged Ghanaians to ensure adequate protection of children from online exploitation which has emerged in recent times due to technology.
Participants at the validation meeting included Judges, Lawyers, the Police and professionals from the child protection sectors.
