2024 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES

The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, (MoGCSP) through the Department of Social Welfare, (DSW) commemorated this year’s International Day of the Family on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

The event, themed “Families and Climate Change,” was adapted to “Child Protection and Climate Change” to emphasize the impact of climate change on families, particularly children.

The day aimed to promote family cohesion and parental responsibilities through a dialogue involving children, families, communities, and the media.

In her keynote address, the Minister Designate for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Dakoa Newman, highlighted the role of sustainable practices in mitigating climate change. “By adopting energy conservation, water preservation, waste reduction, and minimizing carbon footprints, families can lead by example,” She stated.

She reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting children through effective policies and programmes.

The Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, emphasized the potential of families to drive positive change, offering support and a sense of inclusion. “Families have the capacity to provide affection, encouragement, and a feeling of inclusion. We must teach children the importance of families and environmental conservation,” Dr. Afisah Zakariah urged.

UNICEF’s Deputy Representative, Mr. Fiachra McAsey, underscored the critical link between the climate crisis and child protection. He pointed out the increasing recognition of global heating impacts on West African countries, including Ghana. “We must raise our voices and take urgent action to address the climate crisis to protect the future of our children,” McAsey called.

The International Day of the Family serves as a platform for Ghana to reaffirm its commitment to building resilient families capable of contributing to climate solutions and enduring its effects.

Source: MoGCSP.