The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ghana and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) have agreed to promote and advocate timely and strategic investment in Ghana’s children by the private sector.

A statement jointly issued by Monica Arach of UNICEF Ghana, and Charles Opoku Mensah of the GIPC, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, on Monday, said the partnership was first announced on August 20, by the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mrs Mawuena Trebarh during the press launch of the Ghana Club 100 Awards.

“Ensuring that a child goes to school, has access to quality healthcare, is fed with nutritious food and is protected from abuse and exploitation is fundamental to creating a healthier, more literate and ultimately more productive economy,” said Susan Ngongi, the UNICEF Representative in Ghana.

“The private sector has a role to play in making that a reality for the children. UNICEF is actively working through the Coalition for Children to make that a reality.”

Susan Ngongi said: “Our goal through this partnership is to contribute to creating a positive cycle through which the next generation of children can break free of poverty and participate fully in the Ghana’s economy.”

According to the statement, in April this year, UNICEF launched the Coalition for Children initiative.

It said the initiative brought together leading private companies, key private sector influences and professionals committed to working together to change the lives of children in Ghana.

It noted that the new partnership with the GIPC, the foremost body charged with coordinating and monitoring all investment activities in the country, continued in the spirit of the Coalition for Children initiative.

Mrs Trebarh said: “The private sector can make a real difference in the lives of children, all of whom are the potential human and social capital on which Ghana’s future economic prosperity depends. We look forward to working with UNICEF and the private sector in general to promote investments in children over the next few years.”

The statement said under the partnership, UNICEF and the GIPC would offer corporate partners the opportunity to make a difference in children’s lives.

According to UNICEF, "Ghana has worked hard to reduce poverty to less than 30 per cent of the population and has reached lower middle–income country status; however, millions of children are still left behind.”