Tackle the inequalities that exist in communities through strategically measures via Parliament - Part II

Ghana flourish long ago so those born before and immediately after the independence see a different picture of Ghana compares to those born in the 1980's. Ghana never experienced the same level of abject poverty as Britain back then. This is why Ghana is still struggling and we see Presidents going away with a begging bowl instead of generating the wealth from its backyard.

It would be fair to say challenge Parliament that by 2018 Ghana should expect to see key progress in the below areas.

• Ghana's political parties must come forward with a sensible plan for meeting the challenge of fiscal consolidation for our country.

This can be done through Parliament.
1) In readdressing education with firm policies in child protection and emulate British the Children Act 2004 designed with the guiding principles in mind for care and support of children, Every Child Matters document, National Service framework for Children, Young people and Maternity Services, Equality Act 2010, UN Convention for children rights, A new approach to child poverty: tackling the causes of disadvantage and transforming families lives' thus raising the achievement of disadvantaged children. This is a document released by the U.K Department of Education 2011. So why should The Department of Education and Health want to reinvent the wheel on a limited budget instead of shouting for help and sharing best practice with countries who have already been there and are too happy to share.

2) Ghana need to comprehensively addressing better educational standards and health inequalities that exist in communities. There should be no more “Under The Tree” form of education without any risk assessment and evaluation on the impact weather conditions have on vulnerable children. Seriously this is no longer a laughing matter any more. It is a failure of any Government/ Parliament if I endorsed as acceptable. Surely, if any risk assessment or an evaluation have been done regarding morale of both the teachers and their pupils the practice would have stopped by now.

A typical example, if one goes to the Deputy Minister of Education's constituency “Mepe”, Juapong and Dofor in North Tongu district one would surely to find that vulnerable children are being educated “Under The Tree” and with no formal measurement as to their school attainment and absences due to weather conditions.

The parents of such children are voiceless and powerless in challenging their MP because they themselves are vulnerable, illiterate and lacks the confidence to challenge their MP as to why there has been no developmental progress in their area.

Why is that the there is inequalities in the share of Ghana Educational budget?

Does this scenario sound familiar?

The vulnerable children of Ghana also deserve more, universal screening of eye and hearing test at one year of age, free nursery education for early years until 16. It appears there is fear factor in people or they are unaware that they can easily use their human rights to challenge the Government and hold them to accounts.


3) Reflecting on what Britain, our Parliament must also set a series of laws, which reflect on current climate and lay down stricter guidelines for vagabonds and beggars currently littered on our city centres. Research shows that serious measures were introduced in Britain during 1572, 1576, 1601 when they had these problems too. The finding also showed that The 1563 reaffirmed the policy of whipping able –bodied beggars and also vagabonds were burned through the right ear and if the persist were imprisoned.
I am not suggesting that we emulate this punishment but we must show a no -nonsense approach to able –bodied beggars on our High streets.

Your thoughts.