Stakeholders at a National Advocacy and Child Protection Workshop have called for the establishment of a dedicated budget for child protection in the national budget to strengthen systems that safeguard children across the country.
They also proposed that the government should allocate five per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) specifically for child protection interventions at the local level to ensure sustained financing for services.
The stakeholders also urged the government to fast-track the passage of the Social Workers Bill, operationalise the licensing of social workers and enforce compliance with existing child protection policies.
The call was made as part of key recommendations contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the three-day workshop held in Accra.
Other recommendations included undertaking structural reforms of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development to enhance efficiency, establishing child protection committees at the local level, and setting up one-stop multidisciplinary centres to provide integrated child protection services.
The workshop, organised by SOS Children’s Villages Ghana (SOS CV Ghana) in collaboration with World Vision Ghana, Plan International Ghana and International Justice Mission, with support from NORAD, brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening coordinated advocacy and systems reform for child protection.
Participants, drawn from government institutions, Parliament, civil society organisations (CSOs), development partners, the media and other child protection actors, identified persistent gaps in implementation, coordination and funding as major setbacks despite the country’s strong legal and policy frameworks.
They further called on the government to improve data systems for evidence-based policymaking and enhance coordination across ministries, departments and agencies.
They urged Parliament to strengthen oversight on child protection, while encouraging CSOs to adopt coordinated advocacy.
Also, development partners were entreated to align support with national priorities and shift to sustainable funding.
The media was tasked to ensure ethical reporting and amplify reform efforts, while citizens were urged to report abuse to protect children’s rights.
Commitment to action
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the workshop, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Ghana, Alexander Mar Kekula, called on stakeholders to move beyond discussions to concrete actions to implement the recommendations outlined in the communiqué.
He stressed the need for sustained advocacy and accountability, stating that a unified voice was critical in championing the rights and protection of children.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, the Director in charge of Budget at the ministry, Freda Faah, said the establishment of a technical working group as a common platform for stakeholders would facilitate coordination and drive progress in achieving long-term child protection goals.
Source:
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