MY TAKE ON HIV/AIDS WITH REGARDS TO WORLD AIDS DAY

HIV and AIDS, discovered about some 50 years ago continue to take the lives of some people despite several efforts to manage the disease. Some children have become vulnerable, and in need of care and protection because of the death of either or both parents through AIDS. Few years ago, I shied away from skinny people with the fear of being infected with the virus by such persons. This preconceived notion came about as a result of how the disease was portrayed some years back. Aside being termed ‘Deadly ’, some of us learnt from school textbooks how ‘bonny’ and ‘dead-bound’ persons with AIDS were. 

I strongly held on to my principle of alienation until the death of a close relative when I got to know she had lived with AIDS for the past five years. I never imagined I could be that close with the disease without even knowing. My perception about HIV and AIDS changed from there. However, I got to know through this experience, how fast discrimination and stigmatization could make a person with HIV/AIDS die. I realized that the relative might have stayed longer had it not been the cold relationship meted out to her by family and friends.

As the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon once said, ‘Stigma remains the most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions.”

As Ghana prepares to join the global community in celebrating World AIDS Day, let us all intensify our commitment in the response to HIV/AIDS prevention. Stakeholders, including governments, the media, pressure groups, religious organizations and individuals have a lead role to play in HIV/AIDS  treatment, care and support at policy, strategy programs, implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation levels. 

We need to own the process of solving AIDS-related problems and sustain the level of progress being made in halting and reversing the spread of AIDS in our part of the world.

Millennium Development Goal 6 of the United Nations hopes to have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS. Making this target see the light of day means that we scale up all possible responses in order to address the critical gaps in prevention, treatment, care and support across sub-Saharan Africa where the disease is reported to have affected many lives.

The theme for this year’s celebration, “Getting to Zero” simply tells us that response to HIV and AIDS prevention ‘is not over until it is over’. There is the need to intensify sensitization programmes, revive peer educators clubs in schools and communities, and live peaceably with all persons living with HIV and AIDS even beyond 1^st December. 

For us as young people, I believe the message is clear, ‘prevention is better than cure’. You are either infected or affected. Let us all abstain, otherwise condoms should be used.

Education-The Sure Way Forward For All Children!

It is the hope of many youngsters to become self actualized and responsible adults.But for many children in Ghana and other parts of Africa,this hope could be a mirage.The situation in which they find themselves do not just allow them to have the quality education and health care every child needs to develop

A visit to Gemeni in the Volta region revealed the kind of hardship some children go through.As I stood by the Volta lake, which was boarded by mountains, in Gemeni,and watched children go on their usual fishing expeditions,it was clear that most of them have been trafficked and brought here to work.Master Holy,a 17year old fisher folk narrated how his parents gave him out to traffickers in exchange of money.Holy revealed how some children were killed and used as baits to get more fishes in the Volta lake."I am happy that my parents are dead.They would have renewed my contract and collected monthly salaries from those i stay with,if they were alive" Holy added.

Children with great ambitions in Akutuasi in the Central region had to be on cocoa farms as their parents wished because that was the main source of income for their families. The situation in James town,a suburb of Accra,was no different.I was amazed with what I saw right in the heart of the capital city-Teenage pregnancy,children in fishing,drug abuse,school drop outs and poor sanitation.Despite the introduction of certain educational policies like the Capital grant, and School Feeding programme by the government,some children in Jamestown were still out of school. Parents claimed they had no money for the up-keep of their families, citing unemployment as a factor.

Ghana was the first country to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990. Article 28 and 29 of it require that children have access to quality education and must benefit from school work.From the situation narrated,it is clear that enjoyment of those rights are out of reach from some children in Gemeni,Akutuasi and Jamestown. Innocent children keep on facing hardship mainly because some parents and other stakeholders are not giving out their utmost best.

It really feels good to have the Children's Act 560,the Juvenile Justice Act,the Human Trafficking Act and other related laws in place as means to ensure the best interest of children. But it would be better to have them implemented than left on the shelves to be covered with dust.

It is good that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA) has abolished the school shift system in the Accra Metropolis to ensure regular attendance at school and an increase in school hours. This should be replicated in other regions, with more focus on infrastructural development,classes held under trees,provision of teaching materials and teacher motivation.

Gone are the days when physical assets were left behind for childrem as inheritance. The best legacy,a parent can give to his or her child in this 21st century is education. Skills and knowledge acquisition through education will make individuals make rational choices,get descent job and become successful in life.
Every child counts! Education is a right and not a privilege.

"Radicalism Without Rationalism Is Sheer Stupidity!" Says Dr. Vladimir Antwi Danso

A senior research fellow at Legon Centre for International Affairs at the

University of  Ghana-Legon, Dr. Vladirmir Antwi Danso has urged
young people to use legitimate and constitutional means to get their concerns

 addressed,and not through radical means. In his view, "Radicalism without rationalism

is sheer stupidity". Dr. Antwi-Danso was addressing young people at a quarterly Youth
 Colloquium organised by the Children and Youth In Broadcasting-Curious Minds
 at the British Council in Accra.

Speaking on the theme: "Accelerating Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable
Development", Dr. Antwi-Danso said empowerment of youth will position them
to promote development and not as agents of destruction instead. He added
that with "vibrant,empowered and well informed youth,Africa can overcome" .

Present at the colloquium were Mr. Kingsley Obeng-Kyereh,Executive Coordinator
 of Curious Minds, Mr. Archibald Donkor,National Youth authority, and
Dr. Alabo,Director for Africa and Regional Integration Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs And Regional Integration.Others were students,persons with disabilty,members of Planned Parenthood Association-Ghana(PPAG) and Curious Minds.

In a short message, Mrs. Adwoa Nyanteng Yenyi,a Programmes Officer with PPAG
 revealed that many young people are in need of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health(ASRH) messages. According to her, more than 2000 people are infected with HIV world wide, and that, if
young people are armed with the necessary knowledge, they will be able to take healthy
decisions. Mrs. Yenyi called on stake holders to invest in the education and
empowerment of young people since their health and development are directly
related to the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals(MDGs) targets.

Mr. Hamza Suhini, President of National Union of Ghana Students(NUGS), stated
that there are opportunities for young people, but as to whether those
opportunities are being used well is an issue to look at. Mr. Suhini admitted
that there are many young people  in the various media establishments who are exceling,
 but their programme content, he said are not young people related. He further said that
addressing young people's issues is a collective responsibility
which should not be left for government alone. He concluded by saying,"The
battle for our development is not for NDC,NPP,CPP and the like,but a battle
for young people".

In his closing Remarks, the Chairperson for the occasion, Mr. Dennis Ofosu Appiah
advised the youth to use the opportunities that come their way well. Mr Appiah, who is also the
 head at Centre for Constitutional Order added that young people must learn to create
 opportunities where there seems to be none.

As the programme reached its tail end,participants had the chance to engage guest speakers in some interactions. Some students  made it known that the colloquium was impressive. They reqested for it to be replicated in other regions. According to them, statements made by guest speakers inspired them.

FATHER'S DAY : AN OCCATION WORTH MARKING!

Father's Day is a celebration which honors fathers and father-like figures. It also celebrates fatherhood,paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society. This day serves as a means to reflect over what fathers have done and the need to show gratitude to them. On days like this, some individuals arrange for  presents including electronics,greetings cards,hampers,special dinners and family-oriented activities for their fathers. Truly, fathers deserve to be honored on special days like this.

However,celebration of Father's Day over the years, has not received maximum attention from many individuals. I became a bit surprised when i got to know some friends were unaware of this year's celebration on June 19th. Those who knew about the day were not willing to talk about it. They claim their fathers haven't done much in their up-bringing to deserve a commendation. Generally in Africa, many individuals have raised similar concerns about some fathers not playing their roles as expected.

The United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the child (Adopted in 1989 and Ratified in 1990 by UN member states) clearly states in article 18 that, parents(father and mother) have a joint responsibility in raising up their children. But as it is now, it seems most of the parental roles had been left for mothers alone to carry them out.On 18th June 2011(a day before Father's Day was marked), Joy FM, a private radio station in Accra reported the arrest of an 18 year-old teenage mother who allegedly burred her day-old baby in the Northern part of Ghana. Through interrogation by the police,the girl said she was compelled to do so because the man who impregnated her ran away. In my candid opinion, this to a large extent,wouldn't have happened if the gentleman accepted responsibility of that pregnancy. This is just one out of many instances where some fathers have abandoned their fatherly roles and cared less for the growth of their families.

What ever the case may be, I still strongly believe that Father's Day must be embraced by all. We need to appreciate and show gratitude to hardworking fathers. Some have really been able to look after their children very well -Being caring,loving and instilling discipline in their wards.

I hope this day will serve as a 'wake-up' call to fathers who are not performing their roles as expected. They should reflect over what ever they have done in the past years and try to carry out their roles well in the family. "Two heads are better than one" it is often said;or better still, "it takes two to tango". Mothers can't do it all alone. We need fathers on board to holistically raise children in the right way. Fathers must learn to spend quality time with their children and make sure they get the best in life.

From the deepest part of my heart, I say happy Father's Day to all fathers and father-like figures!

GHANA MARKS WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR

World Day Against Child Labour has been marked at the Teachers' Hall in Accra. The celebration was on the theme; 'Warning! Children in Hazardous Work: End Child Labour'. World Day Against Child Labour,which is celebrated on 12th June each year, was initiated by the International Labour Organization(ILO) in 2002 as a way to highlight the plight of children in child labour. This year's event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and International Labour Organization.

In a short remarks, a representative from Organized Labour called on government to create employment opportunities for adults.This in his view,will make them earn income to help their children. He stressed on the need for children to be educated and child traffickers to be dealt with in accordance with the laws of Ghana.

some children on a fishing expedition on the Volta lake-Ghana

In a speech read on her behalf, Hon. Juliana Azumah Mensah,Minister for Women and Children's Affairs, showed that it is everyone's responsibility to assist children; citing  the theme for the event as appropriate. She revealed what her ministry has done so far to implement the Human Trafficking Act(Act 694).

As the programme progressed, Master Dominic Mpraim, an Ex-child worker, shared his experience. Dominic is 15years old and in class one. At age five, his parents gave him to a fisherman in exchange for 50,000 cedis(GHC5). He was sent to Yeji, a fishing community along the Volta lake of Ghana. According to Dominic, he was made to work all day-disentangling entangled nets in the lake,mending fishing nets,farming and other related activities. Dominic said he was rescued by Challenging Heights,a non-governmental organization, few years ago and has since been in school. He called on stake holders to get to the aid of other children who find themselves in similar situations.

Master Kwaku Marfo,who represented Ghanaian children at the programme, called for respect of child rights and the need for children to be given the platform to participate in activities that concern them. There were poetry recitals and other performances from children.

The event was also used to launch the National Plan of Action(NPA) for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Ghana(2009-2015) and the ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age of Employment. Delivering the Keynote Address,Professor Kofi Awoonor,President of Ghana's Council of state, called on District Assemblies and other concerned institutions to work with the Plan of Action in order to bring a halt to child labour in Ghana.

In attendance were Hon. Antwi Boasiko-Sekyere, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare,Professor Kofi Awoonor,President of Council of State and Dr. Iyabode Olusanmi,UNICEF Country Representative. Others include, Ambassador Donald Teitelbaum,US Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Akua Ofori- Asumadu, ILO Representative,young people's advocacy groups and school children.

18 YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERGO TRAINING OF VIDEO PRODUCTION

PARTICIPANTS WITH FACILITATORS

                                         

The UNICEF Country Representative is challenging children to develop creative ways of expressing their views on issues that affect them. She says children present an opportunity to help contribute to development issues that concern them.
Ms. Olunsami Iyabode made this known at a graduation ceremony for 18 young people who had received training on making video to highlight children’s issue in the country.
The five day workshop involved members of Curious Minds and Ananse Reach Concept – both young people’s rights advocacy groups. The participants were drawn from the Northern, Central and Greater Accra Regions.
The workshop which was organised by the Oneminutes Foundation, European Cultural Foundation and UNICEF Ghana, was part of plans to get videos from young people for the 2011 edition of oneminutesjr video competition.
According to the Training Coordinator, Natasha Ikoli, such workshops were organized annually all over the globe to give youngsters between 12-20 years from diverse background, a chance to create their own one minute videos.

The training facilitators who were from the US, Demark and South Korea took participants through filming and editing sessions. Participants later produced their own one minute videos depicting various issues concerning children in Ghana. They played the role of Actors and Actresses, Cameramen and Directors producing stories on themes such as early marriage, child labour etc.
The videos were screened at a grand ceremony at the British Council in Accra as part of the 15th Anniversary celebration of Curious Minds. Present at the ceremony were representatives of MDAs, UN Systems in Ghana and Civil Society Organisations as well as school children.
Sharing their experiences at the graduation ceremony, participants recounted the challenges they faced in the selection of topics, location for shooting and editing their videos - describing the entire workshop as “exciting and eye opening”.
A participant, Rejoice Tawiah whose video was on single parenting urged parents to play a collective role in raising the child quoting Article 18 of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as the basis for her call.
Another participant, Pascal, was glad to have been part of the training adding "It has offered me the platform to bring out what i have within".

The videos will take part in this year's oneminutesjr video Africa and Global level competitions.

        (Visit: www.theoneminutesjr.org to watch videos)

OUR TIME

They call us the young
Who should have a long wait
For they said our time will come
Just as they have theirs

But we peeped into the time
And saw that it will come – certainly
But how will it come?
In a state of haste
Or like cutting the past
To paste on the present

Where the tears trickle down
The cheeks of our fellow children
Where their comfort is left
To the care of aggressive mosquitoes
Who sing dirges and think they are lullabies

Where to enjoy a right
Is to fight a deplorable fight
When they did not have the might
So they said we should wait
For our time will come

Yes our time will come
And it is coming with flurry
And no one can parry the hurry
Some think it is scary
And even unknowingly blurry

But look yonder
What they think will come asunder
We now put together
And we see the hope
That comes along the scope
When our rights
We pursue with our little might
To make the picture look bright
To drive away the fright

They call us the young
We shall grow
But our toddler steps we now take
Your care will show how we fare
For this is no time to stare
But to make it all count.
In our full glare

Yes, our time will come and it will come all right

CREDIT: Kingsley Obeng-Kyere.

Poem first recited on 01/04/11, during the screening of the oneminutesjr 2011 videos at the British Council-Accra.

CREW: Gabriel,Evelyn,Binta,Rejoice,Ebenezer,Nii Okai,Pascal,Josephine,Joseph,Lordina,Fati,Christable,Mavis,Tabitha,Francis,Esther,Sonia and Hanifa.

BOYS ARE... GIRLS ARE...!

As we mark the 54th anniversary of Ghana's independence, and celebrate those who struggled in achieving that;we shouldn't forget children who need to carry on the dreams of our gallant men.

Coincidentally,6th March was also the International childrens' Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) on the
theme, 'Girls are... Boys are...'. It is about time we give equal opportunities to both boys and girls. Article 13 of the United Nations Convention on  the Rights of the child (UNCRC) grants children the right to the media. I ask, how many children do we see having programmes in the media?

In fact, we need to give children the platform to bring out what they have within. He who feels it knows it better. It is good to act and work for children,but it becomes better when they are allowed to do things by themselves with guidance. Let us all note that, children are resourceful citizens capable of contributing effectively to this country's development.