Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has stated that African children need a continent that is fit for all children and free from all forms of abuse and exploitation.
Ghanaian children, she said, need a Ghana that is safe so they can grow and reach their full potential.
She averred that it is the responsibility of all leaders and the public to address the numerous challenges confronting children across the continent as espoused in the 10 aspirations of Agenda 2020.
The call was contained in a keynote address delivered on her behalf at the celebration of the 2021 AU Day of the African Child (DAC) at the GNAT Hall in Accra on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.
This year’s event is being celebrated under the theme; “Mainstreaming Agenda 2040 into the National Development Framework.” This was derived from the general theme “30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children.”
According to her, the aim is a call for serious introspection and commitment among African leaders and the public towards addressing the numerous challenges facing children across the continent as espoused in the 10 aspirations of Agenda 2040.
She noted that parties to the African Charter are encouraged to leverage on the Agenda 2040 to drive engagements into next 20 years.
The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was adopted in July 1990 and entered into force in November 1999.
“It encompasses various provisions, which aim at the protection and promotion of children’s rights. Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect our children from all forms of abuse so that they can develop to their full potential especially during these difficult times,” she stated.
The Agenda 2040: Fostering an Africa fit for children, is a 25 years agenda for a long term and strategic progress in implementing children’s rights in Africa.
It was adopted in 2016 by the Secretariat of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) and approved by the AU executive council of Ministers in 2017.
Chief Director of the Gender Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, in her welcome address noted that the main focus for this year’s celebration is to sensitize the general public on the 10 aspirations of “Agenda 2040” with special emphasis on Aspirations 7 and 10.
Create awareness on the need for all citizens to participate in the promotion and protection of the Rights of Children as spelt out in the 10 Aspirations and to Promote the mainstreaming of Agenda 2040 into the National Development Framework to ensure sustained effort towards the goals.
The theme for the celebration, she said, is a call for serious introspection and commitment among African leaders and the public towards addressing the numerous challenges facing children across the continent as espoused in the 10 aspirations.
There were speeches, poetry recitals and cultural dance by children of the participating schools, which climaxed with a panel discussion on the 10 aspirations of the Agenda 2040.
The panellists, made up of youth drawn from some SHS discussed the aspirations and proffered suggestions and solutions, which are expected to be incorporated into the agenda.
Source: MyPublisher24.com