A child rights advocacy group, Child Support Ghana, has launched a nationwide campaign calling for the introduction of a Child Benefit Allowance Programme for every Ghanaian child by the year 2030.
The group believes the initiative will help reduce child poverty, improve access to education and healthcare, and give vulnerable children a better future.
Child Support Ghana officially launched the campaign at Asafo Pechi M/A Basic School in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region during a donation exercise for vulnerable pupils.
The organisation donated exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, toiletries, marker pens, bottled water, soft drinks and biscuits to support the children’s education and well-being.
According to the group’s leader, Mr. Kwame Jones Jay-Jay, the campaign seeks to persuade government to establish a transparent and sustainable Child Benefit Allowance Programme by 2030.
He cited UNICEF statistics indicating that nearly 80 percent of children under five in Ghana experience multidimensional poverty, while about 3.65 million children currently live below the poverty line.
He said approximately 2.4 million children under five also suffer severe food poverty, leaving many vulnerable to malnutrition, disease and poor educational outcomes.
Child Support Ghana says the proposed programme would improve child nutrition, increase school attendance, expand access to healthcare and help break the cycle of poverty affecting millions of Ghanaian children.
The group has begun a nationwide petition drive and stakeholder engagement campaign to build public support ahead of its proposed implementation by 2030.
Community leaders from Atwemamena and the management of Asafo Pechi M/A Basic School endorsed the campaign by signing the petition.
Child Support Ghana says it remains committed to engaging stakeholders across the country until a national Child Benefit Allowance Programme becomes a reality.
Story: Kojo Ansah
