The Volta Regional Director of the Department of Children, Israel Akrobortu, said parents have a critical role to play in protecting children from all forms of abuse.  

"They must do this by identifying and responding to suspected abuse of children within the house, family and community," he said. 

Mr Akrobortu said this on Thursday at the inauguration of a 30-member Child Rights Club by the Yayra Child Development Centre of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), Edem Congregation, at Adaklu Kodzobi in the Volta Region. 

It was on the theme: "My Right, Our Responsibility." 

Mr Akrobortu urged adults, especially parents, to work to safeguard the rights of children to a life free from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.  

He noted that it was a criminal offence if parents refused to report suspected child abuse cases to law enforcement agencies, adding: "The child is more than a legal entity."  

He urged religious leaders to create awareness in their communities about the impact of violence against children and help change the norms, attitudes and practices that perpetuated violence and abuse of children.  

The Director asked them to advocate the adoption of national strategies and legislation on the ban of violence against children, budget allocation to fund preventive strategies and educate their members on the dangers of violence against children.  

He entreated traditional authorities to ban harmful traditional practices that violate the rights of children.  

Mr Akrobortu appealed to government and development partners to institute more poverty alleviation initiatives to support extremely poor families, thereby dissuading them from child trafficking and exploitation.  

"Let us all collaborate and work together to avoid generational Street children," he urged.  

He told the children that their bodies belonged to them and should not allow anybody to touch them without their explicit permission.  

Mr Akrobortu entreated them to have open and direct communication with their parents and guardians to enable them to freely report those who abused them for the necessary action to be taken.