Child safety organisation to prioritise prevention over treatment launched
A new Child Health and Safety Organisation (CHSO) has been launched to tackle the burden of preventable injuries among Ghanaian children through education and awareness.
The organisation seeks to champion a deliberate shift from reactive treatment to prevention, with a strong emphasis on teaching children safety through storytelling.
It will work closely with the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) and the Ghana Health Service to achieve its goals.
The event, which took place in Accra yesterday, also saw the launch of a children’s book series, The Safety Adventures of B.B, as a central part of the intervention.
The book uses relatable characters and narratives to help children identify risks such as burns, falls, drowning, choking, road injuries and poisoning.
The event drew health professionals, institutional partners and educators who engaged in discussions on child safety risks, prevention strategies and the need for coordinated action across sectors.
Burden
The Medical Director of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Dr Leslie Issa Adam-Zakariah, who launched the organisation, highlighted the growing challenge of preventable child injuries, particularly in urban areas.
Dr. Leslie Issa Adam-Zakariah, the Medical Director of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, addressing participants at the event
He said the increasing number of such cases placed a heavy burden on families and a strain on the healthcare system.
“These preventable injuries impose financial and emotional strain on families and healthcare facilities, and sometimes divert resources intended for other purposes to help treat the children,” he said.
Dr Adam-Zakariah added that repeated cases within the same households and communities pointed to gaps in awareness and supervision, rather than unavoidable accidents.
“That is why interventions such as CHSO will help reduce the burden.
The organisation has the full support of the hospital,” he stated.
Prevention
For his part, the Founder of CHSO, Samuel Frimpong, reinforced the need to prioritise prevention over treatment in child health strategies.
Samuel Frimpong, Founder of the Child Health and Safety Organisation (CHSO), speaking at the event
He highlighted the everyday risks that threatened children and called for practical safety measures across homes, schools and communities.
“Many child injuries occur in everyday environments that families often overlook.
This organisation was hence created to become a voice and a platform for awareness,” Mr Frimpong said.
He also said the organisation would focus on research, education, advocacy and partnerships to reduce preventable injuries, while using storytelling to engage children effectively.
Participants at the event
“We want to build a culture where safety becomes part of everyday living.
Where homes become safer, where schools become more prepared, where parents become more informed, where children grow up not only dreaming big but growing safely,” he added.
