NCCE TWIFO HEMANG LOWER DENKYIRA EMBARKS ON GBV EDUCATION DRIVE: "PROTECT CHILDREN FROM EXPLOITATION, MARRIAGE, LABOUR AND TRAFFICKING

A community that protects its children today safeguards its future tomorrow. With this message, the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) engaged residents of Baakondidi in an educational programme on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with emphasis on sexual exploitation, child marriage, child labour and trafficking.

The sensitisation programme, held on 31 July 2026 at the Baakondidi Community Centre, brought community members together to discuss how they can collectively protect children and other vulnerable persons from abuse and exploitation. The Assembly Member for the Asensuo/Baakondidi Electoral Area, Hon. Alhaji Kwasi K. Dauda, was also present.

The engagement was led by Mr. Ernest Antwi, Principal Civic Education Officer at the NCCE Twifo Hemang District Office, who explained that GBV involves unwanted sexual acts or harmful behaviours directed at an individual or group based on perceived gender. He noted that violence and abuse not only harm individuals but can also disrupt families and undermine the future of communities.

Addressing the issue of sexual exploitation, Mr. Antwi cautioned adults against using money, food, airtime, gifts or other forms of inducement to obtain sexual access to children or young persons. He stressed that such conduct constitutes abuse and is a crime, urging parents and guardians to pay close attention to the people who interact closely with their children.

On child labour, he encouraged parents and community members to ensure that children remain in school rather than being exposed to dangerous work on farms, in markets, mining sites and other hazardous environments. While age-appropriate household chores can help children develop responsibility, he explained that hazardous work can negatively affect their health, education and future prospects.

Mr. Antwi also educated the community on human trafficking, explaining that trafficking can occur when a person is deceived, forced, recruited or sold for labour or sexual exploitation in another town, region or country. He cautioned community members to be particularly careful about individuals who promise children or young people lucrative employment opportunities abroad.

He advised parents and guardians to verify such offers with trusted authorities, including Assembly Members and the Police, before allowing anyone to take their children away.

Beyond prevention, Mr. Antwi emphasised the importance of reporting cases of GBV rather than remaining silent. He encouraged community members who experience or witness abuse to seek help from the Police, Social Welfare, Assembly Member, Unit Committee, Chief, school authorities or health workers.

He called on residents to work together to create a community where girls and boys are safe, children are protected and given the opportunity to attend school, and no one is forced into marriage, hazardous work or trafficking.

The engagement reinforced the message that protecting children is a collective responsibility requiring vigilance, timely reporting, and community action.

Protect one child today, and we protect the future of the entire community.