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The Ministry of Gender, Children
and Social Protection and the
United States has signed a five-
million dollar Child Protection
Compact at the Flagstaff House in
Accra.
The compact was signed on behalf
of the country by Nana Oye Lithur,
Minister of Gender, Children and
Social while Mr Gene Cretz US
Ambassador initialed for his
country. The signing was witness by
President John Dramani Mahama.
Nana Oye Lithur said Ghana was
selected because of the country's
"strong government commitment,
existing inter-ministerial framework
and active civil society fighting
child trafficking".
She said Ghana has proved that it
has the potential to reduce child
trafficking through improved
coordination and enhanced
investigations and prosecutions.
"Ghana's legislative and policy
framework for child protection has
been strengthened over the past
two and a half years with the
Human Trafficking Legislative
Instrument and the Domestic
Violence Legislative Instrument
forwarded to the Parliamentary
Subsidiary Legislation Committee
for consideration.
"Cabinet has also approved a Child
and Family Welfare Policy.
Furthermore, a national campaign
against early and child marriages
with support from UNICEF and the
Netherlands has been launched,"
she stated.
Mr Cretz acknowledged the fight
against modern slavery as "a
priority for both Ghana and the
USA."
He said the signing of the Child
Protection Compact Partnership is a
significant step forward for both
countries toward the elimination of
child trafficking.
President Mahama said he is happy
that such a compact has been
signed, saying: "It will allow
children in Ghana to receive
protection from the state."
The five- year partnership would
bolster the efforts of Government
and civil society organisations to
address child trafficking and forced
child labour.
The programme would be
implemented through the Ministry
of Gender, Children and Social
Protection with Ministry of Justice
and Attorney General, Ministry of
the Interior and Ministry of
Employment and Labour Relations.
The programme contemplates
developing jointly with Ghana new
and more effective policies and
programmes to reduce child
trafficking and improve child
protection in Ghana and address
issues such as child sex and
trafficking.
Cabinet recent approved a
memorandum for the ratification of
the 1993 Hague Convention on
Inter-Country Adoptions;
amendment of the Children's Act;
and, establishment of the Child and
Family Welfare Policy.
Credit: GNA
