Over population is no excuse for poverty

Abokobi (GAR) March 1, GNA - Mr. Amos Safo, a Training Specialist at Compassion International Ghana (CIGH), a child-focused and Christ-centred Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has observed that policy makers in the country were using overpopulation as an excuse to shirk their responsibility to eradicate poverty.

'While countries that are more populous than Ghana and with fewer natural resources are developing, our policy makers are using overpopulation as an excuse to run away from their responsibilities, especially to children,' he noted.

Mr Safo made the observation when he delivered a paper on 'Poverty and State of Children in Ghana' at the beginning of a five-day workshop organised by CIGH at the Presbyterian Women's Center at Abokobi in the Greater Accra Region.

The workshop, being attended by 45 participants including pastors and other church leaders from CIGH partner churches, is to equip participants with the requisite skills and knowledge in handling children and related issues.

Compassion International, started in Korea in 1952 by Rev. Everett Swanson, is now in 27 countries and is sponsoring over 1.4 million children worldwide.

It is hoped that by the year 2020, Compassion International will mobilise and equip its partner churches to reach out to over 4 million poor and needy children to take them out of poverty.

Mr Safo said poverty had deprived children the opportunity to utilise their God-given talents, making them vulnerable to all forms of abuses.

Mr Safo said the Church, which was to serve as a beacon of hope and advocate for children had also failed them and appealed to churches to be at the forefront of grooming children to become responsible and fulfilling Christian adults who would take up the mantle of leadership in the country.

Ms Ethel Drah, also a Training Specialist, CIGH, said though most parents were providing the basic needs of their children, they needed to do more to prepare them to become responsible citizens in future.

GNA