The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Dakoa Newman, has appealed to individuals to stop abandoning children in unsafe places, a practice that puts their lives at risk.

Instead, she urged them to engage with the Department of Social Welfare to find safer solutions for these vulnerable children.

During a visit to the Kumasi Children’s Home as part of her two-day working visit to the Ashanti Region, the Minister emphasised the importance of protecting children from harm.

“Instead of exposing such children to danger, they should engage the Department of Social Welfare to discuss the best way to handle the situation,” she advised.

The visit aimed to provide the Minister and officials from the Ministry with first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing the Home, which was established in 1965 and currently shelters 71 children.

The facility provides care, protection, and education to vulnerable children.

Ms. Newman acknowledged government's commitment to resourcing the facility but stressed the need for public support.

“As the government is doing all it can to provide for the children, we continue to encourage others to also support as their social responsibility,” she noted.

Expressing her satisfaction with the current conditions at the facility, the Minister admitted that more improvements were needed.

“The government is committed to ensuring that our vulnerable children are catered for because they also have the same rights as any other child and these rights must not be infringed on,” she added.

She assured that her Ministry would address the identified challenges, which primarily include financial and staffing issues, to enhance the care provided at the Home.