The Plan Ghana National Programme Support Manager, Mr Victor Antwi, has urged communities to initiate steps to deal with child sexual abuse at their areas. He called for the formation of child protections committees that would be network to help stop the menace of sexual child abuse. Mr. Antwi made the call at the 18th anniversary celebration of the African Unity Day of the African Child at Nyanfeku Ekroful in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District of the Central Region on Monday. It was organized by Plan Ghana under the theme: “Right to participation: let Children to be seen and heard”. Mr. Antwi said sexual abuse is one of the main reasons many girls have dropped out of school and noted that it was a serious violation of the rights of the child. “We all must join hands and voices to halt this practice and we also need to put in efforts to ensure that all basic school children in the country are free from all forms of sexual abuse,” he said. Mr Antwi said children are future leaders and therefore ought to be protected and given the needed education. He said combating sexual abuse requires that all stakeholders put their hands on deck. Mr Antwi said Plan Ghana is committed to sensitize and educate the communities on the dangers and the negative effects of sexual abuse. Mr Samuel Achinah, AAK District Director of National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), said under the 1992 Constitution, it is an offence to deny a child of his or her right. According to him offenders were liable to a fine not exceeding GH¢500 or to an imprisonment not exceeding one year or both. Nana Ofori Gyaasehene of Nyanfeku Ekroful, who chaired the function, thanked Plan Ghana for its efforts at promoting education in the area with the provision of school building and learning materials to school children. Earlier in the day, a large number of school children who attended the programme, went on a float amidst brass band music through the principal street of the town. The children wielded placards some of which read: “children are part of the population,” “we need to be seen and heard,” “adults, please listen and consider our views”. Source: GNA