The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. George Hikah Benson, has observed that despite government interventions to improve the rights of children, there were still gaps in the implementation of policies regarding their welfare.
He said outmoded customs and beliefs, parental neglect; poverty, low institutional capacity and ineffective law enforcement had largely undermined efforts at promoting children's welfare in the country.
Mr Benson was inaugurating the Upper West Regional Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Committee in Wa on Wednesday.
The 15-member committee is chaired by Madam Blandina Batiir, Upper West Regional Director of Community Water and Sanitation Agency.
Mr Benson challenged the committee to initiate appropriate childhood development indicators, which would be universally accepted for the monitoring of the progress of children's welfare.
He urged the committee to form monitoring teams for childhood development in the region while asked the District Chief Executives also to set up similar committees in their respective districts to enhance children's welfare and development.
Mr Benson said the provision of a prosperous future for children was a collective responsibility and called on the committee to educate parents to ensure that their children attended Early Childhood Development Centres before they are enrolled into primary one.
Madam Batiir pledged the commitment and dedication of the committee to the course of children in the region.
She said ignorance among parents was a major factor leading to the several problems facing children and gave the assurance that the committee would address the challenges facing children in the communities.
Source: GNA
