The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 World Children’s Day, calling on Ghanaians to make deliberate investments in the wellbeing and development of children.
The event, themed “My Day, My Right: Investing in Early Childhood, a National Priority,” was held alongside the 7th Sitting of the National Children’s Parliament in Accra.
Child parliamentarians from selected schools across the country deliberated on and adopted the Revised Early Childhood and Development (ECCD) policy.
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Delivering the keynote address, the sector Minister, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said the responsibility of safeguarding children’s rights extended beyond government to every Ghanaian.
She emphasised the importance of ensuring children receive the right foundations early in life, explaining that such investments shape a brighter national future.
Dr Lartey stressed that Early Childhood Care and Development must be treated as a national priority due to its proven socio-economic benefits.
She noted that ECCD interventions are among the most cost-effective strategies for breaking cycles of inter-generational poverty and enabling sustainable economic growth, citing strong evidence of high long-term returns.
She announced that the Ministry, with support from UNICEF, was developing a national parenting strategy aimed at enhancing breastfeeding promotion, nutrition education, food safety, healthcare access, awareness creation, and resourcing early childhood educators.
According to the Minister, the revised ECCD policy provides a holistic approach, integrating care, stimulation, nutrition, health, and safety for children aged 0–8.
She expressed satisfaction that young parliamentarians had the opportunity to contribute to discussions on the policy’s implementation.
Dr Afisah Zakariah, Chief Director of the Ministry, encouraged families, educators and development partners to align their efforts with the theme and policy objectives, ensuring the rights and voices of Ghanaian children remain central to national development.
