Accra, Dec 31, GNA - A child-focused non-governmental organisation (NGO), has called on government to step up efforts to ensure the survival, protection and development of children in the Upper West, Upper East and Northern regions (three northern regions).

The Ghana Media Advocacy Programme (G-MAP) has also appealed to the authorities to expand the School Feeding Programme and other educational initiatives in the regions to keep children in school, instead of migrating to the southern part of the country in search of non-existent jobs. A statement signed by Abdul Malik Jeleel, Executive Director of G-MAP, called on the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs and UNICEF, its development partner, to intensify the advocacy to stop the north-south child migration, resulting in labour exploitation, and also mobilize public support towards the enactment of legislation against corporal punishment. It asked UNICEF to continue its support for the Ghana Health Service towards the eradication of guinea worm in the three northern regions. The statement called on the media and child-focused NGOs to collaborate to monitor the implementation of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in the country. It observed that obsolete cultural practices affected the development of children in the three northern regions. The statement said a survey carried out by the NGO in the northern part of the country indicated that despite efforts being made to protect the rights of children, some people supported the use of corporal punishment in schools. 31 Dec 09 Attention recipients, item 03 ends first cast.