Dr Afisah Zakariah, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has called on traditional and religious leaders to unite to help safeguard the future of children. 'We must work together to build a bridge between our cultural heritage and the modern principles of child rights, to ensure that the two can coexist harmoniously for the benefit of our children,' she stated. Dr Zakariah made the call at the commemoration of the 2024 National Children's Day at Nungua in the Krowor Municipality of the Greater Accra Region organised by the Department of Children under the Ministry. The celebration was on the theme: 'Building Bridges: Fostering Child Rights through Traditional, Cultural, and Religious Leadership.' Dr Zakariah said; 'This occasion affords us the opportunity to assure our children of their rights and protections they deserve, as enshrined in both our national laws and international conventions.' She said child marriage and other abuses continued to be a pressing issu e in Ghana, with 19 per cent of girls marrying before the age of 18, according to the Ghana Statistical Service data, stating that; 'This is unacceptable because it robs our girls of their childhood, education, and opportunities for a better future.' She emphasised that the UNICEF 2022 report noted a disturbing increase in cases of sexual abuse, with many of these incidents going unreported due to stigma, fear, or cultural norms that discourage speaking out, stating that; 'This silence must end.' Dr Zakariah noted that Article 28 of Ghana's Constitution, along with the Children's Act of 1998 (Act 560), clearly prohibits child marriage and that it was time we all work together to uphold these laws. 'Our traditional leaders, in particular, have the power to influence change in their communities by discouraging the harmful practices and promoting the education and empowerment of girls,' she said. She stated that there was a need for religious and traditional leaders to help educate their communities on the i mportance of keeping children in school and protecting them from exploitative labour practices, adding; 'This is not just about following the law; it is about building a better future for all Ghanaians.' 'Our children deserve to grow up in a safe and supportive environment, free from abuse. As leaders, we must encourage open dialogue, educate our communities about the dangers of sexual exploitation, and create safe spaces for victims to seek help. 'The Ghana Police Service and the Department of Social Welfare have mechanisms in place to support victims, but they cannot do this alone. We need the community's cooperation to break the cycle of abuse,' the Chief Director said. She called for the abolishing of practices such as honour killings, child trafficking, and witch camps because they were in violation of the victims' rights. 'Respected leaders, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and our partners will work tirelessly to address these issues, but the fight cannot be won without your leadership and commitment,' Dr Zakariah pleaded. She said: 'As traditional and religious leaders, your position imposes on you the custodial role of our culture and moral values. We acknowledge that, while some cultural practices have served us well over generations, others no longer align with the fundamental human rights of our children.' She said the nation was standing at a crossroads and that religious and traditional leaders fostering dialogue, championing education, and standing up for the rights of children, could help bridge the gap between cultural practices and the protection of children's rights. Source: Ghana News Agency