The SOS Children’s Villages Ghana has organised a maiden annual Strategic Learning Event for journalists at Akyem Tafo in the Eastern Region to take stock of the overall learning legacy to inform the future work of the organisation.
The three-day event, on the theme: “Not Leaving the Media Behind,” which seeks to bridge the relationship between the media and the organisation, was attended by more than 20 journalists from 15 selected media houses.
The objectives of the Strategic Learning Event included reflection on the SOS Vision 2030, sharing key lessons, achievements, challenges and recommendations arising from Year 47 of SOS Children’s Villages Ghana’s programme implementation.
It also sought to generate useful knowledge, ideas and collective action to build longer term partnerships and resources to sustain child welfare’ child rights and protection in Ghana.
Mr Alexander Mar Kekula, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Ghana, said across the African Continent, most children and young people were without parental care and exposed to abuse, exploitation and other practices against their fundamental human rights, which required urgent action.
He said the organisation was committed to identifying the most suitable care option for every child according to the child’s best interests and in close partnerships with the relevant authorities.
Mr Kekula said in building partnerships with the media, the organisation believed more awareness would be created for higher quality investments in services that could improve the lives of children and young people without adequate parental care.
He said the vision of the organisation was; “Every child belongs to a family and must grow with love, respect and security.”
The SOS Children’s Villages is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit international development organisation headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria.
It provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children in need and protects their interests and rights around the world.
In Ghana, the Organisation supports local children and young people by providing day care, education, medical assistance and vocational training for children.
Mr Christian Appiah, the Acting Board Chairman, SOS Children’s Villages Ghana, urged the media to promote child rights and their development agenda.
Mr Anthony Owusu-Gyamfi, the National Programme Development Manager of the organisation, said the 2030 Strategy took full accounts of the United Nations Guidelines for Alternative Care for Children, as an internationally recognised framework to support implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Mr Josiah Bernard Nartey, the National Child Safeguarding Advisor of the SOS, said: “We build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we share in the development of their communities.”
“We are committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment for every child we reach through our programmes.”
Madam Edith Efua Chidi, Advocacy, Communication and Brands Manager of the SOS, urged all journalists to be child advocates.
