A faith-based organization, Compassion Ghana in the Asuogyaman District in the Eastern Region has marked this year’s International Day of the African Child with a call on parents to take prime interest in the welfare of their children.
The theme for this year’s event, “the right of the child in a digital environment.
The Partnership Facilitator for the District, Mr. Alex Mensah Adenyo interacting with the press on Friday after a one day durbar at Kpong Evangelical Presbyterian Church admonished care givers and parents to as a matter of necessity make practicable effort and train their children to as a result safe guard them from life dangers, especially in the current digital world.
With culture performances, drumming, dancing and poem recitals, reflecting the theme for the celebration, stakeholders of all walks of life participated to grace the occasion.
Among them were, Dr. Stephen Manortey, Director of Academic Programs at the Ensign Public Health College, Professor Kenneth Nyalemegbe, Dean of School of Agric at the Evangelical Presby University College, Mr. Victor Badu, representing the Director of Education in Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Directorate, Leticia Boafo – Senior Manager of Business at Compassion Ghana Head Office, Akosua Addai Amoo, Deborah Aba Narkoah – both, also From the Head Office of Compassion Ghana and Mrs. Joyce Nyaunu, the chairperson of the function.
Other participants from the clergy included Pastors Philip Dzramado, Gershon Ofoe Agbi, Grace Asante, Sampson Osei, Enoch Adubofuor, Daniel Tetteh Blemano, Gabriel Senyo Ametepey and Fred Kotoka.
Having displayed description of some child right violation acts such as, “child labour is a social crime, report child abuse issues, defilement is a criminal offense, on placards, the children matched through some major streets in Kpong community.
To reflect the theme more, some placards read, “Technology is a useful servant, technology usage is important on our education, the internet is a great source of references, educated children will ensure economic development and children are the future leaders among others to mark.
Following the fast growth of information communication technology in recent times, Mr. Alex Mensah noted that Compassion education activities involves the use of technology in training the children to enable them meet the future social and job market demands.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Joyce Nyaunu encouraged parents to guide their children in their teenage sexual feelings stages against promiscuous life. She further cautioned female teenagers to avoid sexual advances and proposals from their opposite sex.
Mr. Victor Badu advised children to wisely access the internet for pieces of information that are directed for their learning experiences.
Highlighting the theme on behalf of Compassion Country Director for Ghana, Mrs. Leticia Boafo, charged stakeholders to collaborate and create a safe space for their children to explore the internet, and thus safe guard them from cyber bullying, online predators and exposure to inappropriate online contents.
Adding: she said, “we must collaborate to create a secure online space, where children can learn and explore without fear.”
Mrs. Leticia, who was reading the key note address for Mr. Kwabena Yebaoh Okyere, National Director for Compassion Ghana, called on society to reaffirm its dedication to safe guarding the right of children in the digital environment and collectively create a future where every child enjoys the benefit of technology.
Compassion Ghana currently operating across the country including Lower Manya Krobo, Yilo Krobo and Asuogyaman, with the later commanding about 4500 children in the 3 districts.
Story by: Omanba Kodwo Boafo/Trust FM/www.trustfmonline.com
