International Day of the African Child Marked at Tanga

17-06-11
Narration: The Bawku West District Programme Manager of World Vision, Bernard Kpare has stated that investing in the health and education of African children and their mothers is a sound economic decision and one of the surest ways for a country to secure its future. He added however, that reducing child mortality and ensuring universal primary education requires concerted effort and commitment. Mr. Kpare was addressing a durbar of students and parents to commemorate the International Day of the African child at Tanga in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region. Isaac Asare and Abraham Dimmie was at the durbar and have filed this report for Radio Ghana.
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Report
The day which was on the theme;”Make Africa fit for the survival of children” brought together 16 Primary and Junior High school human rights club members as well as their parents. The day is in memory of the African children who were killed in cold blood in Soweto for embarking on a peaceful demonstration to demand quality education. The United Nations has also set the day aside for African states to reflect on the dire needs of children across Africa States and to give focus on the need to increase equal access to suitable education ,health and the protection against abuses such as physical and sexual abuse, trafficking , child labour and child marriages. Pupils and students of the 16 human right clubs performed cultural displays, poetry recitals, songs and drama. The message that ran through all these was the call to respect children’s rights. The Bawku West District Programme Officer of World Vision, Bernard Kpare disclosed that research indicates that as many as 50,000 African children under the age five will lose their lives as a result of preventable diseases. Equally worrying is the revelation that as many as 38 million children of primary school age in Africa still remain out of school. Mr. Kpare said the situation is compounded by the unacceptable high maternal death rate in Africa. Mr. Kpare said they in World Vision think that all children in Africa must be given equal opportunity to live and develop their full potentials. The Voluntary Services Overseas, VSO Volunteer attached to the Bawku West District Education Office, Stephen Mbarushimana whose duty is to promote and encourage the human right education in schools and communities disclosed that the district has 68 school human right clubs. Twenty of them are in junior high schools while the remaining 48 are in primary schools. Mr. Mbarushimana said children are resourceful citizens capable of helping to build a better future for all. He said we must therefore respect their right to express themselves and to participate in all matters that affect their lives in accordance with their age and maturity. The Bawku West District Director of Education, Paul Apanga called on all stakeholders to provide the needed structures that would enhance the full development of children. He said the Ghana Education Service would not relent in its effort to promote the welfare of children especially those in school.
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