The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has joined the globe to celebrate the 2025 World Children’s Day with a call on Ghanaians to invest in their children.
It was on the theme, “My Day, My Right: Investing in Early Childhood, a National Priority,” which was held together with the 7Th Sitting of the National Children’s Parliament in Accra.
The child parliamentarians who were drawn from selected schools across the country adopted the Revised Early Childhood and Development (ECCD) policy after their submissions.
Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection in a keynote address said the responsibility of upholding the rights of children did not lie on government alone, but all Ghanaians.
“It is therefore imperative for us to come together to ensure that children get it right from the beginning of their lives and it will lead to a better future for Ghana,” she stated.
Dr Naa Momo Lartey said the ECCD should be a national priority as it will build a stronger, more equitable, and prosperity society.
“There is evidence to show that ECCD is one of the most cost-effective strategies to break cycles of inter-generational poverty and foster sustainable economic growth, with econometric studies indicating a high return on investment. I know Ghana does not want to miss out on these assured benefits,” she stated.
The Minister added, “I am happy to say the ministry with support from UNICEF is developing a national parenting strategy that will provide resources to this effect; the promotion of breastfeeding, nutrition education and food safety, improving access to healthcare awareness creation and equipping the early childhood educators with the need resources.”
Dr Naa Momo Lartey said the revised policy offered a holistic and integrated approach in implementation, and that it embraced care, stimulation, health, nutrition, and safety in an integrated manner.
It also recognises the holistic development of children from 0-8 years, and added, “I am happy that the child parliamentarians have been given the opportunity to discuss the implementation of the policy at their 7th session today.”
Dr Afisah Zakariah, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection urged families, educators, partners to align their efforts to the spirit of the theme and the policy to ensure every child in Ghana has the right to thrive in an environment where their voices are heard, rights upheld, and potentials are supported.
She said when Children’s Rights were acknowledged to and respected, their years would be well cared for, to help build a stronger, more just and prosperous nation.
