Mr. Wisdom Krakani, an official of the Volta Regional Directorate of the Department of Social Welfare has urged parents to give their children the best opportunities and always protect their interest as they are vulnerable.
Speaking at a symposium on child neglect and abuse at Adaklu Kodzobi in the Adaklu district, Mr Krakani said Children have the right to education, health and justice, and asked parents to support their children with their needs.
It was organised by Yayra Child Development Centre of the Edem Congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Adaklu Kodzobi with funding from Compassion International, Ghana for caregivers of the Centre’s beneficiaries as part of their week-long celebration of YayraFest.
Mr. Krakani noted that children who have their needs provided by their families always looked happy and healthier and, “They grow to also become responsible adults.’
He expressed concern about some irresponsible parents who neglect their children adding that, due to child neglect and abuse, about 8,000 children globally died of hunger daily.
“About 90 percent of criminals had once experienced one form of abuse or the other or neglect when they were kids”, he noted, reminding parents that the law frowned on child abuse in any form- child neglect, child trafficking and stealing, defilement and child marriage among others.
Mr. Benjamin Fumador, Director of the Centre appealed to parents to be “a shield around their children to protect them from exploitation and abuse.
The festival will be climaxed on Sunday with a fund raising service in aid of an Office/ICT complex.
