Accra: The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has celebrated the 2025 National Children's Day with the launch of the Engaging Policymakers in Intersectoral Collaboration for Children (EPIC) Project. The initiative aims to foster cooperation among several sectors crucial to early childhood development.
According to Ghana News Agency, the EPIC Project is a collaborative effort involving the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development Ghana, the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and University College London. The project seeks to establish and strengthen partnerships among key sectors such as health, education, social protection, and local governance to ensure that every child in Ghana thrives, particularly during the crucial early years from zero to eight.
Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, emphasized in her address that a child's development hinges on various factors, including health, education, nutrition, and social protection. She highlighted the necessity of building strategic coalitions across ministries, departments, agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders to achieve comprehensive child development.
While acknowledging the progress Ghana has made in advancing child rights and welfare, Dr. Lartey stressed the importance of continued efforts to support children during their formative years, which are foundational for their future. She remarked that the early years of a child's life are pivotal not only for their individual growth but also for the nation's future, urging collective investment in children's health, education, and protection.
Dr. Lartey cited data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) of 2017/18, which showed varying development statistics among Ghanaian children, underscoring the need for further work in this area. She called for a national commitment to early childhood development, stating that it should be a priority embedded in policies, budgets, and societal values.
The Minister expressed gratitude to partners and stakeholders for their support and urged for a unified approach to transforming childhood development in Ghana. She concluded by encouraging stakeholders to shift from fragmented efforts to cohesive strategies, aiming to position Ghana as a model for successful intersectoral coalitions in early childhood development.
Dr. Afisah Zakariah, the Chief Director of MoGCSP, also addressed stakeholders, urging them to renew their commitment to prioritizing the rights and well-being of children in their work.