The Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) has joined the inaugural Metro and Community Child Protection Committees of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).

The committee is part of the AMA’s efforts to improve the welfare of children in the metropolis, especially the vulnerable ones through case management and integrated social services.

Speaking at the inauguration and sensitization of the committee, the Accra Mayor, Mohammed Adjei Sowah underscored the importance of the committee by emphasising the need for the assembly and all stakeholders to collaborate in identifying and addressing child protection issues in the metropolis.

"It has become necessary for the assembly and all stakeholders to really get involved with issues affecting children in the metropolis. Therefore, I urge you all to work hard as a team towards the fight against Child neglect and other acts that affects the welfare of children", Mr Adjei Sowah noted.

On her part, the Head of Social Welfare and Community Development at the AMA, Marian Mensah noted that the inauguration of the committee is part of the many initiatives the assembly is taking to promote child welfare in the metropolis.

She expressed optimism that the expertise of committee members will be fully deployed to address the critical issues confronting children,

The Executive Director of SCEF, Paul Semeh commended the assembly for engaging stakeholders on this important issue of child protection and express SCEF’s commitment to providing technical support to the AMA on case management and integrated social services in line with the mandate of the committee.

The Metro Child Protection Committee has 11 membership drawn from the assembly, police service (DOVVSU), NHIA, representative of the traditional authority, Ghana Health Service and SCEF, representing civil society organisations.

The Community Child protection also has 11 membership drawn from Sub-metros, religious leaders, traditional authority, NHIA, polyclinic, social welfare, community development and civil society.