Child rights activists have ignited a debate on the necessity of prohibiting individuals from soliciting medical assistance for sick children on the streets, citing concerns of exploitation.
Bright Appiah, Executive Director of Child Rights International, raised the issue during the inaugural Thriving Child Seminar Series (THriCSS) in Accra, emphasizing the need for judicial intervention to address the practice.
The seminar, organized by Compassion International Ghana and attended by over 400 stakeholders in child welfare, aimed to foster discussions on children's policy frameworks, legal considerations, and best practices.
Appiah highlighted the exploitation of children under the guise of seeking medical support as a critical issue requiring immediate attention, asserting that it warrants judicial determination.
He also stressed the importance of enacting cyber security laws to safeguard children from online abuse, underscoring the need to learn from other countries' legislative frameworks for child protection.
Kobina Yeboah Okyere, National Director of Compassion International Ghana, acknowledged the challenges faced in catering to children and youth, emphasizing the significance of collaborative efforts among organizations serving children in Ghana.
Dr. Angela Dwamena, Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, emphasized the importance of fully implementing conventions aimed at protecting children, citing various challenges such as technological advancements, climate change, and child marriage.
The seminar, themed “Policy Framework on Children: The Law and Practice,” underscored the necessity for collaboration between researchers, advocates, and practitioners to address complex issues affecting children's welfare, particularly in the wake of global challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.