Give priority to issues affecting children - Government urged
A delegation of children from 15 schools in Accra has handed over a petition to the Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mr John Alexander Ackon, urging the government to give top priority to issues affecting children.
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The petition, presented by the children aged 15 years, also demanded that the welfare of children should be streamlined in the post-2015 development framework, which should have targets that promise all children care and support.
Presenting the petition, which is part of the Action 2015 Ghana campaign programme, the children, on behalf of all children in the country, also demanded that they should get services which would ensure that they get the best start in life.
The petition, drafted by the Abibiman Foundation, a member of the Action 2015 Ghana Coalition, was received by the deputy minister on behalf of President Mahama.
Pupil of Mataheko JHS
Reading the petition, a 15-year-old pupil of of the Mataheko Junior High School (JHS), Ms Priscilla Abrafi, appealed to President Mahama to join hands with other world leaders during the United Nations Assembly in September this year to formulate a binding legal framework to reduce poverty and inequalities and fight climate change “so that by 2030 we can meet the sustainable development goal”.
The goal promises to ensure that every boy and girl would actualise his or her potential.
“By 2030, we will be adults and may have children of our own. Our generation might not be the ones making the decision today, but we will be the ones to make sure that our leaders take full responsibility for the actions they take this year.”
Additionally, the children said: “We and thousands like us in Ghana are demanding that you make the right choices, because our future is at stake. We ask that you make choices which are dictated by the needs of future generations and not choices that are dictated by short-term policies.”
Other requirements in the petition
The children also demanded a world where justice was ensured and all people were able to realise their rights.
They also want a world where every citizen is able to democratically participate freely and fully in decisions that affect their lives.
“We want a world where governments, international institutions, the private sector, civil society and other power holders are accountable to the community.”
Mr Ackon said the ministry would act on the petition.
The delegation also presented another petition to the Ministry of Environment Science, Technology and Innovation and also embarked on a procession through the principal streets of Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region and distributed brochures and leaflets to the general public to talk about good sanitation practices.
The events were attended by youth organisations, schoolchildren, market women and Christian and Muslim groups from across the country.