Supervise what children learn on the internet - Mothers advised

The Founder of the Roberta Okyere Darko (ROD) Foundation, a non – governmental organisation, Mrs Roberta Okyere-Darko has implored parents, particularly mothers to be concerned about the materials their children learn on the internet during this COVID-19 pandemic.

According to her, mothers had a greater responsibility during this time that children are home instead of being at the school due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She explained that although many parents are helping their children to study on the internet by providing them with the needed logistics such as tablets, phones, computers and internet services, parents must also be extra careful about the things their children study.

Mother’s Day

Mrs Okyere-Darko gave the advice during a panel discussion session organised by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the Ministry of Information in Accra today [Monday, May 11, 2020] to mark this year’s Mother’s Day celebration.

The panel discussion, which was moderated by Mrs Selikem Acolatse, the host of the Women’s Voice show on Ghana Television (GTV), was on the theme: “The role of mothers in the face of COVID-19 pandemic.”

Mrs Selikem Acolatse (left) moderating the panel discussion. The members are Mrs Mercy Mainoo of NETRIGHT (middle) and Mrs Roberta Okyere-Darko

The programme was organised to celebrate Ghanaian mothers for their various contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.

The Mother’s Day was celebrated yesterday, Sunday, May 10, 2020 across the globe. It is a day set aside to celebrate mothers, motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society.

Changing lifestyle

Mrs Okyere-Darko noted that the coronavirus pandemic had brought additional responsibilities on parents, particularly mothers and that it was about time mothers braced themselves for the occasion.

“Mothers, this is the time we have to be strong and be hardworking,” she said, adding “This is the time parents must find time to cook in the house.”

She said because of the risks associated with the COVID-19, mothers must discouraged their children from eating on the streets.

“This is the time the children must eat good food to boost their immune system,” Mrs Okyere-Darko stated.
Contributing to the discussion, Mrs Mercy Mainoo of NETRIGHT, said “As a mother, you have a responsibility to supervise what your children are learning on the internet.”

She said mothers must adjust their lifestyles to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing out that the impact of the COVID-19 had altered the way of life of many parents around the world, including those in Ghana.

She was of the view that since children as well as their parents are not used to this type of lifestyle, parents must endeavor to explain to their children what is happening in the country.

Mrs Mainoo noted that explaining the current circumstances to the children would help them to appreciate the situation and to cooperate with their parents on certain protocols.

“We need to be adventurous this time as mothers,” she said, noting that parents could also use the COVID-19 pandemic to teach their children some life skills such as cooking.

Mothers of with special needs children

For her part, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs Cynthia Mamle Morrison, commended Ghanaian women for their contributions to the development of the country.

She said Ghanaian women, particularly those with children with special needs such as autism and cerebral palsy must be praised for their resilience.

She said many Ghanaian women, in spite, of the numerous challenges they face still manage to cater for their children.

Mrs Morrison also praised men for their support for women and their children, saying that some men “are playing the role of mothers.”

The Deputy Minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide, said the Akufo-Addo-led government was very particular about the welfare of Ghanaian women and would continue to introduce women-sensitive programmes and interventions to lessen the plight of Ghanaian women.