The Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council (AhRCC) on Thursday, 7th August 2025, held a joint meeting for the 2025 1st and 2nd Quarter Regional Child Protection Committee, bringing together together key stakeholders, including selected heads of departments and agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare, Ghana Health Service, Department of Children, and Right to Play, along with other child-focused organizations and partners in the region.
The meeting was chaired by the Chief Director, Mr. Sampson Amoako Kwarteng, on behalf of the Ahafo Regional Minister. It sought to evaluate the implementation of child protection programmes for the first half of the year, identify gaps, and propose solutions to enhance service delivery.
In his welcome address, delivered on behalf of the Regional Minister, Mr. Kwarteng expressed appreciation to all committee members, heads of departments, partner agencies, civil society representatives, and stakeholders for attending the meeting. He said their presence demonstrated a deep commitment to the welfare and protection of children, describing them as the most vulnerable members of society and the future of the region.
Mr. Kwarteng underscored the pivotal role of the Regional Child Protection Committee in coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating interventions across the region. He noted that the meeting provided an important opportunity to assess the year’s progress so far, identify challenges, and develop strategies to address them.
He acknowledged that the Ahafo Region, like many others in the country, continued to face serious child-related challenges, including abuse, neglect, exploitation, child labour, trafficking, and issues affecting education, health, and general well-being. He therefore urged participants to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and pool resources to create a safe and enabling environment for children.
Emphasizing that child protection was not the responsibility of a single institution, Mr. Kwarteng called for active involvement from all sectors — government agencies, and civil society organizations. He encouraged an open, committed, and solutions-focused approach to the day’s deliberations.
The Chief Director further expressed confidence that the presentations and discussions would generate actionable recommendations to guide interventions for the rest of the year and beyond. On behalf of the Regional Minister, he assured stakeholders of the AhRCC’s full support in implementing agreed actions, and he urged them to continue championing the protection, development, and empowerment of children in the region.
Following the welcome address, reports were presented by selected heads of departments and agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare, Ghana Health Service, and Right to Play, among others. These reports covered key areas such as child abuse cases, school enrolment and retention, adolescent reproductive health, child labour, trafficking, and community sensitization activities.
Madam Abena Aprekua Aboagye, from the Department of Children, Head Office, delivered a detailed and insightful presentation on strengthening child protection systems in Ghana, with a focus on enhancing coordination and service delivery in the Ahafo Region.
She explained that a robust child protection system is built on the integration of laws, policies, structures, resources, and community-based mechanisms aimed at preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children. Madam Aboagye emphasized that the system must be both proactive — by addressing root causes of child vulnerabilities by ensuring effective response and rehabilitation for victims.
Madam Aboagye also stressed the importance of adequate funding, logistical support, and strong political commitment to sustain these systems. She encouraged all stakeholders to work collectively to remove barriers to reporting abuse and to foster a culture where children’s rights are respected and upheld.
She concluded by reaffirming the Department of Children’s commitment to supporting the Ahafo Region and other parts of the country in building a child protection system that is resilient, responsive, and inclusive, ensuring that no child is left behind.
Her colleague, Madam Abigail Ntiamoah, from the Department of Children, Head Office, delivered a presentation focusing on the Government of Ghana’s unwavering commitment to ending violence against children. She explained that the government has put in place a robust policy framework that aligns with both national priorities and international conventions, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
She outlined several key initiatives, including the implementation of the Child and Family Welfare Policy, the Justice for Children Policy, and the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Human Trafficking. Madam Ntiamoah emphasized that these frameworks are designed to prevent abuse, ensure timely response to reported cases, and provide rehabilitation and reintegration support for affected children.
She further noted that the government, in partnership with civil society organizations and development partners, is rolling out nationwide awareness campaigns, strengthening community-based child protection committees, and enhancing the capacity of law enforcement agencies to respond effectively to cases of abuse and exploitation.
Highlighting the significance of these efforts, Madam Ntiamoah stressed that ending violence against children is not just a government priority but a moral responsibility shared by all—families, communities, institutions, and individuals. She urged stakeholders to intensify their advocacy, ensure timely reporting of violations, and foster safe spaces where children can grow, learn, and reach their full potential without fear of harm.
Madam Ntiamoah finally took members through the reporting template for Regional Child Protection Committee members, which is designed to track and document progress on the National Pledge to End Violence Against Children. She explained that the template would help standardize reporting across districts, improve data accuracy, and ensure that local achievements and challenges are effectively captured for national review
During an open forum, stakeholders engaged in extensive discussions on challenges such as inadequate funding, limited logistical support for field officers, lack of shelter facilities for rescued children, and socio-cultural practices that perpetuate abuse. Participants also proposed community-driven strategies to prevent child neglect and improve reporting mechanisms.
In closing remarks, the Chief Director, again speaking on behalf of the Regional Minister, commended members for their commitment and urged them to translate deliberations into concrete actions that would positively impact the lives of children across the region. He stressed that child protection is a shared responsibility and called for sustained advocacy and resource mobilization.
The meeting ended with a renewed pledge from all stakeholders to work collectively in creating a safe, supportive, and enabling environment for every child in the Ahafo Region
