Children Believe Canada (CB), a non-governmental organization that deals with child rights issues, has constituted and inaugurated the Upper East Regional Early Childhood Development Committee to promote the survival, growth, welfare, and development of children in the region.
The committee is tasked to work assiduously with development partners to improve and promote the quality of child development and enhance living standards and quality of life of families.
The committee shall ensure a conducive environment for developing ECCD programs, promotion of integrated services, training of caregivers, and capacity-building for individuals and institutions towards the growth and sustenance of the systems and mobilization of resources.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Bolgatanga, Country Manager of CB Canada, Mrs. Esenam Kavi De-Souza, emphasized the need for stakeholders to work in synergy by helping children and their families develop the right skills set and explore resources to overcome poverty and injustice.
“Our overall vision is to align all the key actors to work towards relevant sustainable development goals and target for children by ensuring that children under 5 years are developmentally on track, end preventable deaths and all forms of malnutrition, and providing legal identity for all.”
“We must also work at eliminating violence against children, reduce pollution-related deaths, and achieving access to quality early childhood and primary education as well as universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene”.
She impressed on the committee to facilitate seamless coordination between health, education, child protection, and other social services to provide integrated and holistic support for families and children who have greater needs.
Mrs. De-Souza appealed to the committee to work with the municipal and district assemblies to allocate funds for the implementation of Early Childhood Care Development programmes and empower needy families to cater to the development needs of their children.
The Upper East Regional Coordinating Director, Alhaji Mahamadu Azonko, pledged the support of the RCC to the course of child protection and development.
He further urged the committee to work collectively in sustaining the commitment to improve and promote quality child development in the region.