Nsuta (B/A), Sept. 3, GNA - Mrs Mariama Yaya, the National Director of the Department of Children, has called on the legislature to set aside part of the constituency development fund to cater for children.

She said all forms of abuse and violence against children could be brought under control if planning and budgeting for the implementation and enforcement of laws that protect children were considered.

Mrs Yaya said this when she addressed a durbar of chiefs and people of Nsuta in Techiman municipality to mark the Brong-Ahafo Regional celebration of the 2010 national Children's Day.

August 31 every year is set aside and celebrated as national children's day to draw attention to pertinent issues affecting the welfare, development, protection and participation of Ghanaian children at all levels.

This year's celebration is under the theme, 93budgeting for children-our collective responsibility".

Mrs Yaya said parents and guardians had the most critical role to play as the first point of socialization and principal caregivers of children and wards.

"We must ensure our budgets adequately cater for the needs of our children irrespective of our income and the demands of our professions", she said.

She said that the Better Ghana Agenda would be a mirage if issues affecting children were not addressed and appealed to the government to ensure the proper upbringing and development of children so they would grow to become responsible adults.

Mr. Hammond Oppong Kwarteng, Regional Director of Department of Children, expressed concern about the alarming rate of child non-maintenance in the region and advised couples to adhere to proper family.

He mentioned child labour and trafficking as some of the major problems gaining prominence in some parts of the region especially in cocoa growing, mining and fishing areas.

Nana Owusu Ameyaw, chief of Nsuta, expressed concern about teenage pregnancy and school dropouts in the area especially by girls and advised parents to monitor the movement of their children especially after school hours.

He appealed to parents to minimize their huge expenses on funerals and other social functions and channel their resources into the education of their children.