The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has called for stronger support systems for families and renewed national commitment to child wellbeing as Ghana joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Families.
In a press statement issued on Friday, May 15, 2026, the Ministry said this year’s observance is being held under the theme, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing,” highlighting the critical role families play in shaping society and the urgent need to address growing inequalities affecting children across the country and the African continent.
According to the Ministry, families remain the foundation of every society, but many continue to struggle under severe social and economic pressures that threaten the wellbeing and development of children.
The statement identified poverty, unemployment, domestic violence, child labour, human trafficking, and limited access to quality healthcare and education as some of the major challenges confronting families today.
“These pressures place a heavy burden on families and reduce their ability to provide the care, love, safety, protection and guidance children need to thrive,” the statement noted.
The Ministry stressed that strong and stable families are essential for national development, social cohesion, and the protection of vulnerable groups, insisting that every Ghanaian child deserves a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment regardless of economic background.
It further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving child welfare and strengthening families through targeted social intervention programmes and policies.
Among the key interventions highlighted were the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Programme, the School Feeding Programme, the National Parenting Strategy, and strengthened child protection systems aimed at supporting vulnerable children and households.
The Ministry also pointed to several policy frameworks introduced to promote positive parenting, social inclusion, and equal opportunities for children.
These include the Child and Family Welfare Policy, the Justice for Children Policy, the National Child Policy, and the recently launched Early Childhood Care and Development Policy.
Additionally, the statement said efforts are being intensified to address gender-based violence, improve disability inclusion, expand community-based child protection services, and enhance digital and social welfare systems to ensure that no child is left behind.
As part of the commemoration, the Ministry called on parents, caregivers, guardians, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, development partners, and communities to work collectively toward building resilient families and safer environments for children.
The Ministry concluded by urging all stakeholders to renew their commitment to creating stronger homes and a more inclusive society where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
By 1960news.com
