The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection and MP for Krachi West, Hon. Helen Ntosu, has called for stronger engagement mechanisms to help young people realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to national development.
She said the era in which issues affecting underrepresented groups were addressed through policies initiated, implemented and managed solely by governments was over, noting that citizens, especially the youth, now seek platforms to be heard in decision-making processes. This shift, she observed, reflects Ghana’s commitment to openness, transparency and the building of public trust.
Hon. Ntosu made these remarks at the launch of the maiden Mini Parliament initiative, organised by the Parliament of Ghana, in partnership with the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), UNICEF and the Learning Tree Foundation, at Parliament House.
The Chief Social Policy and Inclusion Officer at UNICEF, Ms Paulina Sarvilahati, reiterated the importance of amplifying children’s voices in national development, insisting that every child deserves to be heard, protected, and empowered to achieve their dreams.
Highlighting Ghana’s historic role in global child rights advocacy, she recalled that the country was the first in the world to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. One of the Convention’s key provisions, she said, is child participation, which guarantees children the right to freely express their views on matters affecting their lives.
“You deserve to be heard. You deserve to be protected. You deserve to go to school and achieve your dreams,” Ms Sarvilahati told the children, urging them to remain bold and confident in sharing their opinions.
The Divisional, Public Affairs, Ms Kate Addo, commended the children for their confidence, eloquence and active participation, noting that the Mini Parliament showed their capacity to contribute meaningfully to national issues when given the chance. She urged them to remain disciplined, informed and committed to academic excellence, stressing that leadership begins with responsibility, integrity and service. Madam Addo further encouraged the children to read widely, sharpen their communication skills and stay engaged in national affairs to prepare for future leadership roles.
Speaking further to the initiative, the Director of Public Engagement at the Parliament of Ghana, Supt (Rtd) Effia Tenge, disclosed that from 2023 to 2025 the department facilitated visits by more than 44,000 people to Parliament for its educational programme, over 70 per cent of whom were primary and junior high school pupils. This, she said, demonstrated children’s strong interest in understanding how Parliament works.
She noted, however, that many young visitors struggle to understand Parliament’s procedures and therefore do not fully benefit from their visits. The Mini Parliament initiative, she explained, is a practical, interactive platform that enables children to assume the roles of Members of Parliament and debate national issues affecting young people. “The vision is to ensure that the Ghanaian of tomorrow is capable of making meaningful contributions to national progress,” she added.
The Executive Director of ACEPA, Dr Rasheed Draman, commended Parliament for creating an innovative platform that promotes inclusion and civic responsibility among children. He said early exposure to governance structures would help nurture responsible, informed citizens capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
During the maiden sitting, participants debated the topic “Responsible Use of Technology by Children”, focusing on online safety, digital responsibility and the impact of technology on children’s wellbeing. As part of the programme, officials from the Cyber Security Authority educated participants on internet safety, cyberbullying and the protection of personal information online.
Commending the initiative, the Queen Mother of the Dzorwulu Abelemkpe Subdivision Stool, Manye Naa Badu Diaba I, encouraged the children to uphold good moral values, listen to the guidance of parents and teachers, and strive to become responsible future leaders.
Source: Parliament of Ghana’s Public Relations
