Child Right Organization Pushes for Orphanage Shutdown

A Non-Governmental Organization advocating for the rights of less privileged children has asked government to initiate measures which would result in the complete shutdown of orphanages in the country by the year 2020.

The organization “OAfrica”, known previously as OrphanAid Africa, has however proposed the need to raise under privileged children in extended families other than enrolling them in orphanages.

The recommendation, contained in a press release issued in Accra, came after an undercover investigation by Anas Aremeway Anas which highlights the plight of some children at the Countryside Children’s Welfare Home at Bawjiase in the Central Region.

Miracle Mensah Damankwah, Development Manger of OAfrica, condemning abuse at the children’s home indicated the organization has released GHC 117,000 to the Gender and Social Protection Ministry in resettling victims into “family based care”.

She said government and Non-governmental organizations should focus on strengthening support systems such as provision of scholarships and education to orphans instead of directing resources to support “unscrupulous orphanages.”

Mrs Damankwah appealed to the Gender and Social Protection Ministry to extend the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) programme to families that are prepared to accept children living in orphanages back to their homes.

government and Non-governmental organizations should focus on strengthening support systems for orphans

As part of strategies to help achieve the target of eradicating all orphanages, she noted that “the department of Social Welfare needs to run training programmes for social workers, police and courts on rescuing children from orphanages and resettle them in family care with minimum trauma.”  

The Development Manager also stated that the Department of Social Welfare should undertake a new data collection exercise on orphanages so it could be abreast with operations of such care-giving institutions.

OAfrica also highlighted training and awareness for the general public so individuals would appreciate the importance of caring for their own children while abusive orphanage owners are tried and jailed.

The organization has also called on international Agencies such as the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) to support the Department of Social Welfare to close down illegal orphanages and provide support for families to care for their children.

NUGS Plead With Teacher Unions

Leaders of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) have appealed to teacher unions in the country to control the frequency of strike actions embarked upon in attempt to stimulate government response to grievances.

The union has stated that although lecturers may have legitimate claims, they should endeavor to rescind their decisions in certain instances due to the consequence of such industrial actions on students.

Their plea was hinged on a months-long strike the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) has embarked on to demand payment of their Book and Research Allowance, and another “indefinite strike” the University Teachers Association (UTAG) has also announced.

Sammy Dakwa Binfoh, President of NUGS, made the request at a stakeholders’ meeting between the executives of the student union and leaders of some teacher associations in Accra.

He said government has assured that grievances of teachers would be addressed but the student body must also engage the various unions to better understand specific concerns teachers have risen.

He stated: “we don’t have to depend solely on government information churned out by the media. We must meet with the stakeholders so that our own actions, in future, would be grounded on realities and not rumor.”

The president stated issues such as the supply of teaching and learning materials as well as prompt payment of government subventions must also be addressed in addition to settlement of fringe benefits for teachers.

He said extensive consultation between government and the respective unions on attempts to establish a National Research Fund was ideal.

However, he said, when government appears to have an entrenched position on the issue without paying attention to the views of teachers, the policy would continue to suffer resistance.

He added that NUGS would continue to plead with teacher unions so students do not suffer the effects of impasses between government and lecturers.

“We would collaborate with the teacher unions to ensure their grievances are resolved amicably.   We want to assure them that we are in the battle with them as they fight for what they deserve.” Mr. Binfoh noted.

Christian Okla Odoi, Deputy General Secretary, (NAGRAT) repeated delay in the release of capitation grant, delay in the implementation of the Second Tier Pension Policy for teachers, among other concerns at the secondary level.

He said teachers appreciate government assurance to address their needs but they would continue to press until such promises manifest in the lives of lecturers and students.

Private University Students Petition Gov't

The Private University Students Association (PUSAG) has called for revision of some government policies and regulations they consider discriminatory and unfavorable to private tertiary institutions in the country.

PUSAG have requested 15% reduction in corporate tax paid by private universities and that 30% of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) should be allocated to private colleges.

They have also appealed to government to grant institutions, accredited ten years and more, autonomy to award their respective degree and diploma certificates.

Executives of the association in a petition to the President, the Education Minister, and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education believe implementation of alternative procedures and policies of would lessen administrative and tuition cost of students.

Panlogo-Logodam Benjamin, president of the association, presenting a petition in Accra to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Education Minister, stated that students in private institutions contributed taxes to the GETFUND but do not benefit therefore some resources should be allocated to the development of their institutions.

He said government decision to impose 25% corporate tax on colleges equates to double taxation as students in private institutions paid taxes indirectly to government.

He indicated that such a policy compounded efforts of their institutions to put in place requisite infrastructure to provide quality education.

“Government is taxing private university students and their families, and also taxing universities that are providing quality education to students. This naturally increases the cost of providing education to the youth. It reduces funds available for building campuses, purchase equipment, and award scholarships.” He said.

Mr. Panlogo-Logodam added that as long as private universities were affiliated to traditional universities, tuition fees of students would continue to increase hence authorities must hasten to allow institutions independence when they met requirements.

“We are calling for a fair treatment of private universities. We are seeking equal rights and access to the public purse now. The unfair and discriminatory practices are becoming unbearable. We have therefore decided to speak up and make our voices heard.” PUSAG said.

Mr. Ablakwa assured government would submit a written response to the demands of PUSAG in a week.

He said some of the issues raised were receiving attention however stakeholders concerned would be engaged in further dialogue to reach a compromise.