The Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) has formed a Child Panel which is charged with the responsibility to ensure that children are brought up in the humane manner and enjoy their civil rights. The committee, whose membership comprise educationists and social workers would liaise with opinion leaders in the communities and heads of schools to ensure that children, especially those not staying with their relatives are well catered for. This would help check child delinquency, molestation and child labour. The committee, which has Nathaniel Nortey, a retired educationist as the chairman was formed in accordance with the Children's Act of 1988, has non-judicial functions to mediate in criminal and civil matters concerning children. David Quaye Annang, Tema Municipal Chief Executive inaugurated the committee and asked the members not to assume the role of the judiciary but endeavour to get to the root causes of truancy, and maltreatment meted out to some children and find solution to their problems. This, he noted, would place the children in a right frame of mind to enable them to grow well without hindrance. Mr. Nortey assured the Assembly of doing their best to arrest the unfortunate situation faced by some children in the communities and called for the cooperation of all. He however, urged parents to raise children they can cater for, so that they do not become liabilities on them, the community and the nation as a whole. He wondered why parents of poor background rather bring up more children as against the privileged, who can afford to cater for their children's welfare. Source: GNA