Ghana’s current economic situation presents tougher times for most households with a high squeeze on family budgets.  

Child protection advocates are predicting higher cases of abuse against children during this period of high cost of living.   

They say children may suffer both verbal and physical abuse should they cause any financial loss to their family or guardians. 

President of the Ejisu Cluster of Child Development Centers, Sandys Owusu Nimako, has therefore admonished parents to contrast training their wards with abusing them. 

He was speaking at an even to celebrate the United Nations International Child Rights Day, during which the Ejisu Cluster of Child Development Centers sensitized the community on the need to promote the rights of children. 

The event formed part of the group’s activities to holistically develop vulnerable children – in the area of cognition, socio-emotional, physical and spiritual traits, and was held in collaboration with the Compassion International Ghana to help protect children against all forms of violence and exploitation. 

“We are not saying that children should not be trained. But there is a proper way to train a child. We do not want to damage a child as against the future where the child will be beneficial. As parents, in as much as we want to bring up our children very well, there is a balance as to destroying the future of a child as against protecting the child against certain abuses. Especially around this time that times are hard, as a parent if you’re not careful, out of the anger and frustration of the economic conditions you may be forced to overly exert pressure and force on the child,” he said.

Over 500 cases of child neglect and an increasing spate of defilement, rape and abduction have been recorded in the Ashanti region since the beginning of 2022. 

This data from the Police Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit presents a present threat to the wellbeing of children with the future of victims of such ill-treatments at great risk. 

Dadease, a community in the Sekyere East municipality, has been identified to be recording increasing cases of child abuse. 

Queen mother for the area, Nana Akua Achiaa advised parents to work diligently to cater for their wards.

“Poverty contributes to the increasing cases. Whether or not you have money, it’s your responsibility to cater for your ward. You have to work to take care of your child,” she said.

Nana Akua Achiaa further advised parents in the community to complement efforts by the Association in safeguarding children. 

Partnership Facilitator of Compassion Ghana, Frank Sam said some overlooked abuses, including verbal assaults, have adverse effects on children’s growth.
 
“Every day children are abused. Beating your child is an abuse. The way we talk to our children is a form of abuse. Our words to children must be encouraging. They should manage their expectation for children. Don’t expect a child to behave the same way you will behave. What your feel uncomfortable with, should not be replicated on your child. These have effects on the child, especially yelling can make the child timid,” he said.

The program was held under the theme, “Safeguarding the rights and interest of Children, a responsibility for all”.