Accra, June 5, GNA - World Vision Ghana is to launch its Participatory Action through Children and Community Empowerment (PACE) to promote the welfare and protection of children. The PACE initiative would also strengthen existing district structures and institutions and create opportunities to empower children to fully participate in advocacy that would ensure their holistic development.

Mr. Sam Asare, Country Director, World Vision Ghana, said this at a ceremony to celebrate the Day of the African Child, which is on the theme: "The Year of Safety and Security for Every Child". He said talking about the wellbeing of the child was not enough if the survival, development, protection and participation needs and rights were not considered in any development intervention. "What has therefore motivated World Vision over the years to invest so much in its community-based and child-focused programmes are these needs for the rights and protection of children." Mr. Asare said a World Vision survey in 15 districts in the northern, central and southern sectors revealed poor performance of children in basic and junior high schools. "It therefore revealed the need to strengthen partnership with decentralized government agencies, NGOs and civil societies to fight poverty through interventions like health, education and agriculture," Mr Asare.

Mr. Asare said the day of the African child was an initiative that sought to increase child participation adding, "World Vision seeks to achieve maximum child participation through unearthing children's talents, creative abilities and right to advocate." Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Women and Children's Affairs, said the safety and security of the child was paramount in ensuring the overall welfare of the child.

"One must consider how the security situations in the world have hindered the total freedom and development of the child." Hajia Alima said Ghana had over the years been proactive in creating a safe and secured environment for the development of youth. These efforts include the legal interventions which aim at ensuring the overall protection of the child.

"I would like to assure all children in Ghana that government is committed to their cause and would continually build on the gains made so far to ensure their well being." Hajia Alima said it was, however, a shared responsibility among stakeholders, including families, communities and individuals, to ensure safety and security.