Sunyani’s Adolescent Parliament appeals for child-centered policies ahead of December elections
Members of the Adolescent Parliament in Sunyani, the Bono regional capital, have urged the next government to make children’s issues, including education, child protection, healthcare, and livelihoods, a top priority. They called for both the current and future governments to actively listen to children and young people, involve them in decision-making, and establish policies that address their needs and aspirations.
They stated, “The government now or in the future must place the voices of children and young people at the center of everything they do.” The adolescents further emphasized, “Ambitious goals for children and young people require a change in the way we view children’s lives and how we influence them, and that must be the concern for political parties wanting to govern the country.”
The young people in Sunyani also encouraged civil society organizations and other child advocacy groups to support the campaign to bring critical children’s issues to the attention of policymakers and duty bearers.
“Together, we can create a brighter future for all children and young people, so let’s advocate for positive change now,” they added.
Additionally, the Adolescent Parliament appealed to all voters to prioritize children’s welfare when voting, noting that Ghana’s children desire a safe environment before, during, and after the December 7 election. They urged, “We want to return to school and continue learning after the elections, and we wish to remind all duty bearers, especially the security agencies and political actors, that Ghana must win in the December 7 election. When Ghana wins, children win, and when children win, Ghana will prosper forever.”
The Adolescent Parliament in Sunyani is part of the Resilient City for Adolescents Project, run by the Sunyani-based Global Media Foundation (GLoMeF) in partnership with Citizens Watch Ghana and the Indigenous Women Empowerment Network. The project is supported by the Botnar Foundation, which has provided £329,000 in funding through Ecorys UK, under the Healthy Cities for Adolescents initiative.
