Agona Fawomanye (C/R), July 3, GNA - -The Bawjiase Programme Area of Plan Ghana (PG), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has rounded off activities marking this year's AU Day of the African Child with two important health educational programmes on Friday.

The programmes, which were held at Agona-Fawomanye, near Agona-Kwanyarko in the Central Region, dealt with infant and maternal mortality, as well as births and deaths registration.

In attendance was the Acting Executive Secretary of the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC), Mr Peter Felix Kojo Eduful, Deputy Agona District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Andrews Nawil, the Bawjiase Programme Area Manager, Mrs Emelia Allan, Mrs Bernice Nartey-Quao, Health Co-ordinator, both of Plan.

About 500 babies between one-day and twelve months were registered at the function, which was under the theme, "African Orphans, Our Collective Responsibility".

Madam Angelina Bolton, Deputy Director of Nursing Services, Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health, spoke on "The effects of Infant and Maternal Mortality on Nation Building". She cautioned nursing mothers not to demand new white wax prints and other personal effects from their husbands before sending their babies to Health Centres.

Madam Bolton advised nursing mother to send their babies to clinics regularly since the Ministry of Health attached great importance to the welfare of children.

Madam Bolton urged husbands and relatives to impress upon pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics to avoid complications during delivery.

She stated that it was aim of health authorities throughout the World and the Ministry of Health to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

Mrs Allan and Mrs Nartey-Quao pledged Plan's continued efforts to sensitise Ghanaians, especially people on infant and maternal mortality. Mr Benjamin Eshun, Agona District Births and Deaths Registration Officer, urged Ghanaians to take the registration of their babies and departed relatives seriously.

He noted that the registration of births and deaths play an important part in national economic planning and other development programmes that was why the people were being asked to embrace the idea.

Mr Eduful and Mr Nawil stressed the need for the Government to find a lasting solution to problems confronting orphans.