Parliament’s Human Rights Committee engages Suhum stakeholders on child protection

The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and its partners have continued their Field Monitoring and Capacity-Building Visit to the Eastern Region with engagements in the Abuakwa South Municipality, focusing on challenges affecting the rights and welfare of children. As part of the visit, the Committee paid a courtesy call on the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and engaged officials of the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly on child rights and protection. Discussions focused on issues linked to education and illegal mining, teenage pregnancy, and their impact on the safety, development, and future opportunities of children in the Municipality.

The Committee and its partners also paid a courtesy call on the Chief and traditional leaders of Kwesi Komfo Community before engaging residents on issues affecting children. Key concerns raised included child labour, teenage pregnancy and the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, with stakeholders exchanging views on practical measures to strengthen child protection. The engagements underscored the need for stronger collaboration among local authorities, traditional leaders, parents, communities, Parliament and development partners to address challenges affecting children.

The Committee reiterated the importance of creating an environment that safeguards the rights, well-being and development of children and young people. As part of its four-day Field Monitoring and Capacity-Building Visit to the Eastern Region, the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and its partners have engaged stakeholders in the Suhum Municipality on issues concerning child rights and protection. On Day Two of the programme, the Committee met officials of the Suhum Municipal Assembly and representatives of the Social Welfare, Health and Education Directorates.

Discussions centred on critical challenges affecting children and young people, including child abuse, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, sex education and child labour. The Committee also visited the Chief and people of Jato Community in Suhum, where concerns were raised about the welfare and protection of children. A key issue discussed was the need to distinguish between age-appropriate assistance provided by children to their parents and child labour that compromises their education, safety, health and overall development.

The engagements highlighted the importance of collaboration among traditional and religious leaders, local authorities, parents, educational institutions, communities, Parliament and development partners in protecting children. The Committee and its partners reiterated the need to create an environment where every child is protected, supported and given the opportunity to thrive.