Ho, Aug. 10, GNA - Madam Mariama Yayah, the Acting Director of the Department of Children, on Tuesday called for the consolidation of the rapidly improving state of children in the country.

"Now, the Ghanaian child is heard and not only seen and we can only work harder to enhance this improvement."

Madam Yayah made the call at the Volta Regional stakeholders' consultation workshop on preparation and compilation of Ghana's report to the United Nations on the Rights of the Child.

She said some challenges borne out of socio-cultural beliefs and abuses still remained to be addressed.

Madam Yayah said Ghana had come very far in promoting and protecting the right of the child and needed some commendation as it forges ahead in ensuring the total protection and development of children.

She said for example the introduction of capitation grant and free school uniforms and exercise books had given the opportunity to more children to be enrolled in school.

Madam Yayah said the implementation of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) was also empowering poor parents to provide some basic needs of children and urged government to expand the programme to cover more families.

Madam Yayah called on all stakeholders to show greater interest in fighting for the rights of children to make Ghana a pacesetter in the promotion and protection of children's rights.

Mr Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi, a Research Officer at the Department of Children, said all children needed to be treated well without discrimination because all children have equal rights.

He appealed to parents and guardians to make children their best friends to reduce the communication gap between adults and children.

Mr Edwin Gamadeku, Volta Regional Director of Department of Children, said the public had a big role to play in the welfare of children and called on traditional authorities and civil society to help ensure the welfare of children.