Ghana, US sign $5 million Child Protection agreement
The governments of Ghana and the United States of America (USA) have signed a $5-million Child Protection Compact. The five-year partnership will bolster the efforts of the Government of Ghana and civil society organisations to address child trafficking and forced child labour in Ghana.
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This is the first time the US is signing such an agreement with any country.
The programme will be implemented through the ministries of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Justice and Attorney General, the Interior and Employment and Labour Relations.
Nana Oye Lithur, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, signed for Ghana while the out-going US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Gene Cretz, signed for the USA. The ceremony was attended by President John Mahama.
Why Ghana
According to Nana Lithur, Ghana was selected because of her strong government commitment, existing interministerial framework and active civil society which had together helped in fighting child trafficking.
Furthermore, she said Ghana had proved that it had the potential to reduce child trafficking through improved co-ordination and enhanced investigations and prosecutions.
She said Ghana’s legislative and policy framework for child protection had 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.
The Minister said: “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.”
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Common priority
Mr Cretz, in his remarks, acknowledged the fight against modern day slavery as “a priority for both Ghana and the USA.”
He said the signing of the Child Protection Compact Partnership was a significant step forward for both countries towards the elimination of child trafficking.
President Mahama said he was happy that such a compact had been signed. He said it would “allow children in Ghana to receive protection from the state.’’