In partnership with UNICEF Ghana and Mondelez International Cocoa Life, the 2017 Child Initiative Forum was held over a 3-day period at the Koforidua Technical University. The theme for the forum was “Promoting Positive Social Norms; The Role of Children”
Day 1- OPENING CEREMONY
This was the opening ceremony of the 2017 Child Initiative Forum. It begun with an opening address by the Executive Director of Child Rights International Mr. Bright Appiah. He welcomed students, patrons and resource persons to this year’s forum and explained that the purpose of the forum was to look at the role of children in promoting positive social norms. He explained however that sometimes, that role and dignity of the child is lost in transition and is not always granted and hence the need to continuously protect children. He praised the role of technology and social media in promoting education and sharing of information but however critiqued the extent of nudity it exposes children to. He entreated children to be circumspect on the kind of online content they explore.
Country lead for Mondelez International Cocoa Life, Madam Yaa Peprah Amekudzi was the guest speaker for the day. She clearly noted that every child needs to be confident in oneself because when a child becomes confident in him/her self they will not need to negatively expose themselves on social media. She encouraged children to be wary of the kind of advances they allow and entreated them to abstain from sex because they are still young. She made children aware that they have the power to change their circumstances. The two questions that she left the audience with where, “What have I done for myself?” and “What I am I doing to myself?”
The Guest of honour for CIF2017 was the Eastern Regional Minister, Honourable Dr Eric Kwakye Darfour. Sharing his childhood experiences, he encouraged children to work hard and to persevere irrespective of challenges. He made children and all participants understand that child rights does not warrant disrespect or irresponsibility and encouraged children to strive hard to make a positive impact in their communities. He told children present to allow themselves to be moulded into responsible adults that can contribute to the development of the country. He also imbibed children with the awareness that they are members of the community and not just children and therefore they have the responsibility to learn, educate themselves and acquire even more skills beyond what technology offers.
Iddris Abdella, a child protection specialist form UNICEF Ghana shared that UNICEF’s purpose for supporting the Child Initiative Forum was to drive social change nationally. Together, we all can make a change in the lives of the Ghanaian Child, he said.
INTERACTIONS WITH RESOURCE PERSONS
Mrs. Adwoa Amobi Oteng Mensah, a lawyer by profession and a lecturer at Koforidua Technical University talked to participants about the law and the different types of constitutions. Mrs. Oteng Mensah engaged in a discussion with the participants, asking them what positive social norms are for children. She explained rape and defilement and discussed how children can get help when faced with legal challenges.
Mercy De-Graft Savage a Land Economist and Law student engaged participants in a discussion on their understanding of this year’s theme. Once a member of the Child Rights Club, Mercy shared her experience with participants and revealed that three things she learned as a club member was to be compassionate, to love people and to relate well with different types of people. Mercy explained that through the club she gained a lot of exposure, meeting different public figures that had meaningful impact on her development.
Dr. Papa Nii Maale-Adsei a medical practitioner was very energetic with the children. He talked to them about the practice of a healthy student and what preventive health measures where to be taken in order not to get sick. Students correctly identified certain hazards to health, such as unsanitary bathroom conditions and unhealthy eating habits. Participants learned that the simplest action such as washing one’s hands can have many positive benefits such as helps avoid the common cold, chicken pox, diarrhoea and many other diseases.
Miss Joyce Owusu the creative director of Purple Trends tackled entrepreneurship with participants. Formerly a member of the Child Rights Club, she shared the joys and hardships of being an entrepreneur. Joyce adviced the participants to follow their smallest dreams of starting a business. She encouraged them that entrepreneurship is the backbone of the African economy and could be their refuge in the absence of mainstream employment. Joyce left the children with their imagination flowing!
DAY 2
The second day was dedicated to talent exhibition, story writing and games.Participants took part in a talent exhibition where they had the opportunity to share what they are most capable of doing. This was an activity to urge boldness and initiative among the children. Talents exhibited ranged from singing, dancing, poetry and drama.
The second part of Day 2 involved creative writing where children wrote stories of their choice but the mid-afternoon on Day 2 was dedicated to sports and outdoor activities. Children were put into teams that competed in a variety of games. The purpose was to encourage teamwork and to enhance socialisation. Patrons and staff of Child Rights International also partook in the games and sports, supporting the activities of children. Some games played on day 2 include Ludo, Oware, Ampe tournament, boys and girls football, tug of war and other games to create alertness and build teamwork.
DAY 3
On the third and final day participants engaged in some outdoor learning activities with a visit to the Aburi Botanical Gardens. Children learned the scientific names of tress and the medicinal effects of some other trees. Participants also had the opportunity to see the effects of parasites on trees and took lessons from the ‘tree about life’ which had been carved in the garden.
During the late afternoon, participants paid a visit to Tetteh Quarshie’s cocoa farm in Mampong. Participants discovered the history behind Tetteh Quarshie’s cocoa and others had the opportunity to taste cocoa for the first time.