The New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has planned to upgrade children’s homes across the country so as to enable it provide better care for the inmates.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Observer Newspaper moments after addressing parliament’s vetting committee as the Minister Designate for the Gender and Children Ministry, Madam Otiko Afisah Djaba said the president was concerned about the living conditions at these homes.
According to her, the president believes no child should be denied the right to a clean environment including the provision of good food and medical care.
Madam Djaba noted,’no child should be denied the access to proper care and education because all children were equal no matter where they were born or raised’.
PLANS/ CHALLENGES:
Giving more light on what the government intends do for these kids, Madam Djaba mentioned plans by the Gender Ministry to conduct a comprehensive review on all existing homes and centers for children.
According to her, the move will afford her if confirmed by parliament the opportunity to know the state of the centers and what needed to be done in addressing the ensuing challenges.
She, however, bemoaned some of the conditions prevailing in most of the children’s homes across the country, adding some of the kids are scarcely fed and kept well.
Madam Djaba disclosed many of them had to be closed down due to these life threatening conditions the children dwelt in.
SOLUTIONS:
Madam Djaba promised to ensure the timely release of funds and stipend to these homes so as to keep the kids and staff in good shape.
She mentioned plans to embark on periodic visits to the homes to ensure the standards of good hygiene, adequate provision of food and care were adhered to by staff and management of the homes.
The nominee having worked with many NGO’S promised to ensure other forms of support were generated from private and corporate organizations for these homes.
Madam Djaba promised to entice other educational outfits to help provide scholarships and better tuition for the primary, Junior High School as well as Senior High School children who graduate from these homes.
