Society Must Create Safe Spaces For Children To Speak Without Fear – Gender Minister

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, through the Department of Children, has marked the 2026 Children’s Day with a call on society to create environments that allow children to speak out without fear.

The call was made by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, in a speech read on her behalf by the Acting Director of the Department of Children, Mr Sefah Alexander Boadu, during the celebration at the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council premises.

The event was held on the theme: “Amplifying Children’s Voices on Abuse in Ghana: Promoting Child Protection, Participation, and Advocacy.”

Dr Lartey urged parents, teachers, community and religious leaders, the media and child protection actors to join hands to create environments where children can speak without fear and where their concerns are taken seriously.

She said children’s voices must move from the consultation room into the policy room, influencing programmes, services and decisions.

She noted that the Children’s Voices Sessions held across the regions provided safe platforms for children to share their experiences and recommendations, adding that the task now is to ensure those voices contribute to stronger policies and programmes.

The Minister affirmed Government’s position that the voice of every Ghanaian child matters and that a child’s age, background or circumstances must never determine whether that child deserves protection, stressing that every child is entitled to safety, dignity and protection.

“For too long, adults have spoken about children, made decisions for children and designed programmes for children. But we must now ask: Where are the children at the table?” she quizzed.

She said child participation in decision-making is not a favour granted to children but a right, and that meaningful participation means creating opportunities for children to express their views and ensuring those views influence decisions.

According to her, child protection must become a national culture with parents, teachers, communities, faith leaders, traditional leaders, institutions and Government playing critical roles.

“The value of a child cannot be measured in cedis and pesewas. Every child protected today is a future strengthened tomorrow. Child protection is therefore not merely a policy issue; it is a moral responsibility and a national priority,” she stated.

Addressing the children directly, she said: “My dear children, we see you, we hear you, and your voice matters. If something hurts you or makes you feel unsafe, speak to a trusted adult. And if you are not heard the first time, do not give up.”

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