The Department of Social Welfare and Community Development undertook a day education on child care and child maintenance at Atwima Boko on Friday, 17th February, 2023. The objective or aim was to care for and develop the capacities and talents of children and students, to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills and values for a productive and rewarding life.The Department explained to the community that child care refers to the total support provided for a child, such as children’s health and nutrition, their evolving emotional and social abilities, and also their mental development. Is the holistic development of children including physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development during the formative years. The care and maintenance of a child in its early years goes beyond the primary care giver. It is multi – sectional in nature and involves different actors playing specific role some of the key stakeholders include parents family members domestic care givers, the community, central government, day care centers, religious groups and Department of social welfare and community development.
SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED ARE;
1. The rights of a child
2. Importance of child maintenance and protection.
3. Main aim of Ghana early childhood education.
4. The role of social welfare and community development department.
5. Teenage pregnancy.
7. Prevention of the spread of COVID – 19 within early childhood schools and care programs.
Questions and answers followed;
Right after the presentation, some participants asked questions like, why early childhood education important?
How does the constitution support child protection and the age limit of child custody in Ghana.
CONCLUSION The program was successful and the department charged parents and guardians to maintain their children and supply them with necessaries of health, life, basic education and reasonable shelter. Both parents should be equally responsible for child care and maintenance in all communities. Also day care centres owners were advised to implement and maintain a high quality early childhood education. Some suggestions were made to make this program monthly to help stakeholders to be abreast with current issues in the development of their children. SOURCE:HANNAH YEBOAH UNIT HEAD SOCIAL WELFARE
