www.padfm.com.gh / Savannah region, Ghana
The Country Manager of Children Believe Ghana (formally called Christian Children’s Fund of Canada), Esenam Kavi De Souza has called on government to increase budget allocations to Early Childhood Development in the country to help build a better foundation for children.
Esenam Kavi De Souza said this during the launching of the Savannah Regional Committee on Early Childhood Development at Damongo on Thursday July 29, 2021.
Currently, about 6% of education service budget is being allocated to early childhood development, a feet Kavi De Souza is not satisfied with.
“We believe that there is more room for improvement, currently government of Ghana allocates just about six percent (6%) of it’s entire education budget to early childhood development, which is supposed to be the foundation of education for development of the children. There can be improvement in terms of government’s investment towards Early Childhood Development in general, be it health, nutrition, education, child protection”, She appealed.
Esenam explained that Ghana has made significant progress as far as early Childhood Development is concerned over the last ten years. The country has improved quiet well when it comes to children under five (5) mortality rate.
As an organization, Children Believe Ghana, is calling on government to critically look at the early childhood development stage for a better future. The nation needs to invest in our childrens’ education through the early childhood development.
Why The Need for Regional Committee ?
One of the major gaps Children Believe as an organization has identified, as far as early childhood development is concerned, is the coordination of early childhood development initiative at all levels.
Looking at the statistics, it is much better at the national level but when you come to the regional, district and community levels, there is a huge gap.
As organization, we are looking forward to bridging this gap by establishing the Early Childhood Development regional committee, whose major duty, will be to advice the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) on issues related to early childhood development in the region and also coordinate activities between the various agencies and departments responsible for early childhood development in the region.
The organization has operates in Ghana for 24 years.
The Early Childhood Development Savannah Regional Committee consists of the Regional Directors of health, Education, Department of Children, Social Welfare and community development, Water and Sanitation.
Other members include two (2) representatives of NGOs working for Children at the regional level, one (1) representative of early Childhood Education service providers and Regional Coordinating Director or Deputy Regional Coordinating Director.
The Savannah regional Early Childhood Development Committee will be chaired by Dr. Kubio Chrisantus, the Regional Health Director whilst the Secretary to the committee is madam Alijata Haruna, from the Gender Desk Office.
As part of it’s major task, the committee is expected to coordinate activities between the regional, district and community levels in the early childhood development initiatives.
About Children Believe.
Children Believe works globally to support children and youth who dream of a better world. For nearly 60 years, we’ve brought together diverse people and partnerships, driven by a common belief: education extends beyond the walls of a classroom and is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world. The organization focuses on breaking barriers preventing access to inclusive, quality education for all, especially girls.
Children Believe creates a future of hope for children, families, and communities by helping them develop the skills and resources to overcome poverty and injustice.
Children Believe is about the potential and possibility of every child and the organization’s belief that education is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.
The agency helps children dream fearlessly, providing the tools and training they need to overcome barriers preventing them from accessing education and being a voice for change. Through the support of sponsors and other partners, young people with big dreams – and even bigger hurdles standing in the way of achieving them – are empowered to challenge inequality, discrimination and violence and thrive amidst adversity.
www.padfm.com.gh / zulqanoah16@gmail.com
