Author: Nicholas Akusah
On Friday May 24, 2024, Missing Children Ghana, a non-profit organization committed to raising awareness about missing children, commemorated International Missing Children’s Day with a fundraising event in Accra.
Held at the Marriott Hotel, the event attracted local and international dignitaries, including chiefs, ambassadors, and representatives from orphanages.
International Missing Children’s Day, observed annually on May 25, was first established in 1983 by the United States’ National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) in honor of Etan Patz, a missing boy.
This day now serves as a global reminder of the critical need to protect children from abduction and exploitation.
The Accra event aimed to raise funds for Missing Children Ghana’s educational initiative, “Safety Of Children.”
This project focuses on educating children and communities about safety measures to prevent child abductions in Ghana.
The event’s chairperson, COP Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah, Executive Director of EOCO, highlighted the importance of International Missing Children’s Day.
“This day serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of child abductions on families and communities.
We must come together to support this worthy cause and ensure the safety and well-being of our children,” she said.
She also called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders and individuals, urging everyone to “join forces to find our missing children and prevent further abductions. Together, we can make a difference and create a safer world for our children.”
There were other solidarity messages delivered by representatives from Marriott Hotel, Plan International, UNICEF, Africa Network of Missing Children, Family Based Care Alliance, IPMC, Department of Social Welfare, and the Ghana Italian Women Association.
The event included a fundraising campaign to support Missing Children Ghana’s initiatives and activities to raise public awareness about child safety and abduction prevention.
Panel discussions were also held to address issues related to missing children and strategies to combat the problem.
Panelists emphasized that parents and guardians should ensure their children know their name, address, and phone number.
They should teach children to trust their instincts and say no to strangers. Keeping a recent photo of the child, establishing a family emergency plan, and keeping children close in public places were also recommended measures.
Moreover, panelists stressed the importance of educating children about online safety and the dangers of cyberbullying in today’s digital age.
About Missing Children Ghana
Missing Children Ghana is the first Non- Profit and Public Benefit Organization founded by journalist and lead social protection advocate, Executive Director Regina Asamoah.
For more than 13 years, Regina Asamoah has been a passionate advocate for women and child’s rights,inspired by her love for knowledge sharing, and the opportunity she has to apply her professional skills as a journalist to create social change.
Her gender activism and child protection initiatives and projects have always been devoted to help individuals – young and old – live their best lives within an enabling environment.
The organisation engages the Ghana Police Service and Department of Social Welfare when a person (especially a Child) goes missing in Ghana, for any reason whatsoever.
They do this by providing the following :
Emergency Response
When a child/ person goes missing, we offer emergency response services to assist families and loved ones to report the missing person straight away.
Working with Ghana Police Service / Department of Social Welfare/ Residential Homes for Children We maintain a close working relationship with the Missing Persons Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Department of Social Welfare and Residential Homes for Children, in order to offer them the support they need to locate missing children and reunite them with their families.
Awareness
Through the Missing Children Documentary Series, Social media Networks and via other channels, we spread mass awareness about missing children / persons.
This ensures that our communities can also assist in locating the missing person as well as their families.
Ongoing Support
When a child goes missing, it puts the family in dire situation. Being there for families when a loved one goes missing is another way, we offer assistance.
Missing Children keeps its HOPE ALIVE as they work to help reunite missing children with their families.
