Failure of society to protect children fueling child abuse – James Twene
He also called for the strict enforcement of existing child protection laws to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
The Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Gender, James Twene, has attributed the persistent cases of child abuse in the region to society’s failure to play an active role in protecting children.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Tuesday November 11, Twene emphasized that child protection is a shared responsibility that extends beyond parents and government institutions.
“If society fails to play its role in child protection, children will continue to go through all sorts of abuses,” he said.
“Ensuring the safety of children is a collective duty, involving government, parents, religious bodies, and the larger community. When society neglects its part, it creates an environment that encourages abuse.”
Twene stressed that safeguarding children should not be seen as the exclusive duty of their biological parents, warning that the lack of communal involvement poses a serious threat to the well-being and future of Ghana’s children.
He also called for the strict enforcement of existing child protection laws to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
“The failure to enforce our laws against child abuse emboldens perpetrators when, as a society, we collectively refuse to condone any form of abuse, then and only then can we truly protect our children.”
Twene’s remarks come amid growing concerns about increasing cases of child neglect and abuse across the Upper East Region, despite ongoing awareness campaigns by government agencies and civil society organizations.
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