Regional News of Wednesday, 8 July 2015

Source: atinkaonline.com

Gender Ministry to introduce more ‘child -friendly policies’

Nana Oye Lithur visits Kumasi SOS Children Nana Oye Lithur visits Kumasi SOS Children

The Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection says plans are far advanced to introduce child -friendly policies that will protect the rights of the Ghanaian Child.

The policies will also advance the development of the Ghanaian child and make them less vulnerable.

The Gender Minister, Nana Oye Lithur made the comments when she paid a visit to the Kumasi SOS Children’s Village as part of her three -day working visit to the Ashanti Region.

Accompanied by her Deputy Minister, Alexander John Ackon and the MCE for Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly, Alhaji Nuru Hamidan and other officials from the Social Welfare Department, the minister toured the centre and interacted with some of the children and their care givers.

The Kumasi SOS Children’s Village located in Asokore Mampong, was established in 2008 and admits children who are no longer able to live with their parents. It provides a loving home for up to 120 children who are cared by their ‘SOS mothers”.

Nana Oye Lithur explained that, her ministry was coming up with regulations that will cover foster care, adoptions as well as a child care policy that will complement the Child Care Reform Initiative (CRI).

The CRI seeks to de-emphasize over reliance on care systems for vulnerable children based on institutions and move towards a range of integrated family and community based care services for those children without appropriate parental care.

According to her, Ghanaian children deserve serene environment so as to enjoy their childhood days. This, she believes will help the children grow up to be responsible adults as expected.