Plan Ghana initiates child helpline project

Plan Ghana, a child-centred non-governmental organisation, has inaugurated the pilot phase of a Child Helpline project at Akropong Akuapem in the Eastern Region.

The project’s mobile helpline number is  0268116611.

The occasion was held under the auspices of the Girl Power Project in collaboration with the African Movement Against Child Abuse and Neglect (AMPCHAN), with funding of over €3,000,000 from the Netherlands Government.

It was on the theme, “Giving Children Voices Through Child Helpline”, and it sought to promote the rights of girls and young women. 

The Country Director of Plan Ghana, Mr Prem Shukla, in an address to open the event, said the project was expected to provide 15,000 children with access to child-friendly protection services.

He said as its contribution to the nation’s stability and progress, particularly, of the communities in which it operated,  Plan Ghana had committed itself to protecting children using support initiatives such as the Child Helpline.

According to him, children were among the most vulnerable segments of the society and needed to be protected by parents, families, communities and indeed all stakeholders so that they would grow up in a safe and sound environment.

He said many children found themselves in abusive situations and in the hands of perpetrators who ironically were the very people expected to ensure their safety.

“Many children in such situations  tend to keep their abusive conditions to themselves because they have no one to confide in for support," he said.

Mr Shukla said the project had a long-term goal to offer all children in Ghana the opportunity for their voices to be heard and for them to express their right for protection.

Nana Osabarima Ofei Kwasi Agyeman IV, Krontihene of the Akuapem Traditional Area, launched the project on behalf of the Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Nana Addo Dankwa. He urged teachers and the media to help promote the project and the helpline number.

He commended the Dutch Government, Plan Ghana and other stakeholders for the initiative.

The Gender and Health Adviser, Plan Netherlands, Mrs Jet Bastiani,  said it would require the collaboration of all stakeholders, including the police, schools, hospitals, the Department of Social Welfare and the public, among others,  for the project to be effective.