Child Parliamentarians, UN and government officials, standing in front of the mural
As part of the celebration of World Children’s Day, UNICEF Ghana has unveiled a vibrant mural (wall painting) based on the ideas and aspirations shared by children across the country.
The painting, on the walls outside the UN compound and UNICEF House, symbolises the dreams and rights of children.
The mural includes Adinkra symbols that represent love, harmony, hope, inspiration, hard work, diligence, strength and endurance.
It also commemorates the country’s advancement of child rights, as the first country in the world to have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Before the unveiling, Child Parliamentarians at the 3rd session of the National Children’s Parliament reminded the government of some of the most pressing concerns of children.
They charged the government to ensure measures are implemented to end child inequality and discrimination in the country.
“We need a renewed commitment to address inequality and discrimination. We must magnify action in providing clean water, sustain and enhance cash transfer programmes, provide support to send children to health facilities, to buy nutritious food and to reduce child labour,” they said.
The Child Parliamentarians also displayed placards with their rights, including all children of school-going age should be enrolled in school, every child should live in a clean environment, books and learning materials should be available in every school, and laws protecting children against violence and abuse should be enforced.
UN Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, was of the view that children and young people should be involved in decisions that affect them.
He thus observed that the new mural being unveiled is a re-affirmation of the UN’s commitment to advocate for, invest in, and protect the rights and well-being of every child in Ghana, saying “together we vow to leave no child behind.”
The Chief Director, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Afisah Zakaria, was impressed with the inputs made by the Child Parliamentarians.
“I am particularly happy that the handprints of these children form the leaves of the beautiful tree of life on one of the panels of the mural,” she stated.
UNICEF Representative, Anne-Claire Dufay, was accompanied by Laetitia, Speaker of the National Children’s Parliament, who is visually impaired and dreams of becoming a journalist.
Mrs. Dufay said Laetitia’s talents, skills and determination is a wonderful source of inspiration, adding, “Together, we are delighted to commemorate this year’s World Children’s Day. We can all be champion of child rights and contribute to a better world for children.”
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri