Mr. George Hikah Benson, Upper West Regional Minister has noted that female genital mutilation, early marriages, widowhood rites, defilement, child trafficking and child labour continued to impede the development of children in the region. He called on traditional rulers in the region to abolish all obsolete cultures that partly gave rise to these negative practices. Mr. Benson was speaking at the inauguration of the Rights of Children's Clubs for the Wa Municipality, Wa East and Wa West Districts, under the theme: "The Role of Children's Rights in Development," in Wa at the weekend. The Miidan Educational Trust, a child rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) organised the event and was sponsored by Plan Ghana, a humanitarian child-centered community development NGO. Mr. Benson appealed to the people to ensure that children had access to good health and better education for their development. He urged individuals and organisations working for children to incorporate child rights principles into their programmes. Mr. Benson said the way society treated children reflected its sense of responsibility, justice and commitment to the future generation. He appealed to child rights advocates to inculcate into children the sense of self-esteem and patriotism and to sensitise them on the economic and social choices available to them. Mr. Samuel Paulos, Country Director of Plan Ghana, said the NGO had taken a bold step to integrate child rights issues into its programmes for the Northern sector of the country. He said some children in the country had been denied access to education, health, potable water and the opportunity to participate in decision-making. Mr. Paulos announced the NGO had sensitized about 70 per cent of families within the Sissala East and Sissala West Districts on the rights and responsibilities of children. He expressed regret that many children in those areas were only seen but not heard of and said the NGO had worked hard to increase awareness among parents and community members about child rights. Mr. Paulos said: "This remarkable achievement had made the NGO to extend its operations to the Wa Municipality, Wa East and Wa West Districts and the project would cost the NGO GH¢ 250,000 over 18 months period." He said the NGO would also award scholarships to brilliant but needy children, ensure good health, water and sanitary practices, work towards poverty reduction, environmental management and build infrastructure for basic schools which is all expected to cost GH¢ 530,000. Madam Otiko Djaba, Chief Executive of Miidan Education Trust, said poor children needed support to enable them to realize their dreams. She announced that the NGO was working towards the alleviation of obstacles and challenges facing such children by giving them equal opportunities and training to enable them to develop their talents. Source: GNA