Gbungbaliga (NR) Sept. 19, GNA - Assemblies of God Relief and Development Service (AGREDS), a non-governmental organisation(NGO) has organised a sensitisation programme on the enrolment and retention of children especially the girl-child in Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region.

The programme, which was organised in collaboration with two other NGOs- Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) and Yendi Area Child Development Programme (YACDP), has the promotion of education, water, sanitation and hygiene, health and nutrition as its thematic areas. Mr George Maalug Konbian, YACDP Co-ordinator made this known when he addressed a CCFC- sponsored Children's Assembly at Gbungbaliga in the Municipality. He said as part of the programme, AGREDS 96 Ghana is working with six schools at Zugu, Gbungbaliga, Adibo and Kpachiyili comprising four early child development centres, six primary schools and two junior high schools with a total enrolment of 6,000 children. Mr Konbian said the programme is aimed at reversing forced marriages involving girls, teenage pregnancy, child labour and child prostitution in the area.

YACDP was in itiated by AGREDS 96Ghana in response to the devastating effects of the 1994 ethnic conflict in the area, which led to the mass exodus of professional teachers and health workers. Mr Ziblim Nantogmah, Municipal Director of Education in an address rea= d on his behalf commended AGREDS and CCFC for the efforts been made to promot= e education in the area. He said almost all the needs of children enrolled in the schools have been provided for them and there was therefore no need for parents to deny them education. Speaking on the topic: 93Best sanitation practice and adolescent issues," Municipal Water and Sanitation Team Leader; Mr Mahama Shani, commended AGREDS, CCFC and YACDP for providing rain harvesting tanks, urina= l pits and other facilities for the schools to promote health and hygiene. In another development CCFC has committed GH¢35, 00.00 for the construction of three Junior High School classroom -block for Gbungbaliga.