Protecting Children In Cocoa Growing Communities
The 2018 Child Initiative Forum had representatives from child right clubs from basic schools, Senior high schools and the beneficiaries of the Tony Fofie Child Development Fund from Eastern region, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo , Western, Central and Greater Accra Regions. The forum was convened at the Takoradi Technical University from 12th August to 16th August
Day one
The forum begun with a day of interactions from a pool of resource persons who addressed issues on child protection, education, cocoa production and entrepreneurship.
He spoke on the essence of organizing the child initiative forum; equipping and empowering children to initiate things on their own.
Child Rights International’s objectives; looking out for signs of abuse in the communities and help educate them on their rights and responsibilities.
“Participation is deeply rooted in our culture because child development starts from the home and in situations where children can express themselves, the opportunity must be given to them to do so we need to give them the opportunity to do so”. He added.
She empowered the children on the need to be educated on their rights and the long-term effect that abuse can have on a child. She threw more light on the double track system for senior high schools and gave children the opportunity to ask her questions concerning the double track systems.
“Once you know, you can defend your right… We have to help educate parents on the effects abuse has on children”. She added
Mr. Abdul Razak Ziblim Salifu – Director of Agriculture from the Western Region stood in for Hon. Dr. Kweku Afriyie the Western Regional minister.
He expressed his gratitude for organizing this programme, he threw more light on poverty and the poor commitment to children’s educational needs by parents being a great barrier to children’s education and their holistic development. .
“Educating children is relevant for cocoa sustainability because they will be able to replace our aged parents with modern application of science in cultivation of cocoa for improved productivity and overall output of cocoa for the country to recapture our first position” He added.
Mr. Kudiabor Sylvanus – Guidance and counseling specialist at Takoradi Technical University.
He educated the children on career choices, type of occupation and vocational jobs available. Career interest, aptitudes, skills and personality type.
He advised them to choose occupations that fits their interest, values, aptitude and personality.
Dr. Mrs. Betty Francaise Freiku – A lecturer and an entrepreneur
She shared her story on how she took up her family’s business and became an entrepreneur, her experience, challenges and motivation.
“There is the need for parents to involve us in the family business because it serves as additional trade when we grow up” she added.
DAY TWO
Children were divided into three (3) groups to discuss and share ideas on Child protection cases happening in their various communities, Cocoa sustainability and the merit and demerits of the double track system for senior high school education.
Patrons were shared among the groups to lead the discussion after which four (4) representatives were selected from each group to present their findings to the house.
Leaders of the three groups came together, joined their findings and developed it into a communique.
DAY THREE
On the final day of the CIF, children were divided into ten (10) groups to represent the ten regions in Ghana and what makes the region unique.
Presentation on the ten (10) regions was exciting, children came up with celebrities, famous and important personalities coming from their selected regions, crops they cultivate, delicious delicacies and dance by their selected regions.
On the afternoon of Day 3, participants made a trip to Western Naval Base in Sekondi where they toured the Ghana Navy Vessel which was present at the time of visit. We went into the vessel to have learn about some of the machines for operating the vessel.