Social worker supports provision of shelter for abused children

Mrs Joan Gawuga, a social worker, has called on government and other stakeholders working to enhance the welfare of children, to facilitate the provision of shelter for abused and underprivileged children in Ghana.

She condemned child abuse, saying the canker could affect the physical and psychological development of victims.

Mrs Gawuga was speaking at a ceremony to mark the Universal Children’s Day, which was on the theme: “Raising Awareness on Child Abuse”, at Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region at the weekend.

He advocated care, love and counselling for abused children, to enable them to become responsible citizens.

Mrs Jane Irina Adu, founder of the Shelter of Women’s Refuge and Child Survival Africa (WORCSA), a non-governmental organisation, said that shelter played a significant role in national development since it helped government to take care of abused victims, the homeless and less privileged.

She said WORCSA sought to provide a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and abuse, and improve the welfare of the destitute.

Mrs Adu explained that the celebration of the day was significant to Ghana because of the incorporation of children’s issues in the Millennium Development Goals, and the high rate of child abuse in the country.

She said: “children are the citizens of tomorrow’s world and their survival, protection and development should be the main concern of every family and nation.”

As part of the celebration, some children marched through the principal streets of Dodowa after which they were offered food and non-alcoholic drinks and treated to a fanfare.

The Universal Children’s Day is one of the United Nations’ oldest celebrations, which was instituted in 1954 to promote international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide.

Source: GNA