On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the Department of Children under the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) hosted a national forum to commemorate National Children's Day.

The event, held under the theme "Building Bridges: Fostering Child Rights through Cultural, Religious, and Traditional Leadership," brought together stakeholders to discuss the intersection of cultural norms, traditional beliefs, and religious practices with child protection and the realization of children's rights.

In her keynote address, Hon. Dakoa Newman, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, emphasized the importance of uniting to protect the rights of children.

"Our culture, traditions, and religious beliefs are the pillars of our society. They shape our values, guide our actions, and define who we are," she stated.

Despite policies designed to safeguard children's rights, Hon. Newman acknowledged that many children still face harmful practices that rob them of their childhood and future.

She highlighted child marriage as a pressing challenge, citing statistics from 2021 that revealed over 482,000 girls are out of school due to factors such as exchange marriages, betrothals, early marriages, poverty, and challenges related to menstrual hygiene.

"The consequences of child marriage are devastating," Hon. Newman said. "From health complications to the denial of education and the cycle of poverty it perpetuates."

She called for strengthening family units and promoting responsible parenting to ensure no child is left behind.

The Minister also urged traditional, religious, and community leaders to leverage their influence to champion children's rights, ensuring that cultural and religious practices serve to protect, rather than harm, the nation's youth.

She concluded by calling on all Ghanaians to build a society that respects and upholds every child's rights, noting that in safeguarding the rights of children, the future of the nation is also secured.

The forum aimed to address and transform harmful cultural practices using the framework of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Ghana's Children's Act of 1998 (Act 560). The ultimate goal is to improve child welfare and protection.

The celebration of National Children's Day serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of children and ensuring that they are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.