Deputy Superintendent of Police DSP Mrs. Florence Anaman of Kasoa district police headquarters and Miss. Kebeh Teta Zubah of the Department of Social Welfare, Awutu Senya West District were the Key resource persons for the event.
DSP Mrs. Florence Anaman explained in details all the various forms of abuses which are handled by their department including rape cases, defilement, sexual harassment, physical abuse and child labour and trafficking.
Miss. Kebeh Teta Zubah also explained to the students and community members on the social justice administration, Child Rights & Advocacy and Prison Peer Agents of the Social welfare Department.
Questions and Answer Session
An open forum for questions and answers followed just after a well-educated session by the key resource persons. While over 50 questions were asked, some questions asked by especially the students and teachers include the following:
- What punishment does the police give to child traffickers when caught by law?
- What can I do if I am willing to go to school but my parents do not have money to take me to school?
- What happens to a child who refuses to go to school even though the parents are willing to support him/her?
- Is it wrong for children who help their parents with basic work after school?
- Are girls the only people raped? Or boys could be raped too?
- What is the contact number and location of the DOVVSU office in the District?
- What would happen to a juvenile who commits crime?
- How many years can some go to prison for a rape offence?
- What support can social welfare or DOVVSU provide for a child who is continually abused by their parents and don’t feel safe to report them and also live in same house with them?
- Can Cheerful Hearts Foundation organize such events regularly in the community to help educate more people?
After receiving insightful answers to these questions, the community members felt very happy about the event. A couple teachers and community members recommended that such events be organized severally to help community members learn more about the support services opportunities available to them and also to respect the rights of others.
DSP Mrs. Florence Anaman, Miss Kebeh Teta Zubah, and other leaders used the opportunity to congratulate the efforts of 23 community volunteer’s trained by the Cheerful Hearts Foundation to educate community members on child rights advocacy, importance of education and prevention of teenage pregnancy though a house to house conversation engagement.
In a closing remarks the Executive Director of Cheerful Hearts Foundation Mr. Eric Opoku Agyemang encouraged all students and community members to spread the knowledge gained from the event to educate the entire community. This, he believes would help reduce child labour and trafficking within the Senya fishing community. He also thanked the DOVVSU, Social Welfare Department, Ghana Education Service, Child Rights Ambassadors, Danish Youth Council and Community leaders for assisting in making this event a success.
Reported by:
Eric Opoku Agyemang
Cheerful Hearts Foundation