NCCE Educates Susana Wesley Group on Responsible Child Upbringing

Raising a child takes more than providing food, clothing, and shelter; it requires trust, guidance, shared responsibility, and a commitment to protecting the child’s rights. This was the message from the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) during an educational engagement at the 2026 Biennial Conference of the Susana Wesley Group of the Juaso Wesley Society in the Asante Akim South Municipality.

Speaking on child upbringing, Patrick Asare, an Assistant Director of the Commission, defined it as the process of raising, nurturing and guiding a child from infancy to independent adulthood. He explained that child upbringing is closely linked to child protection, which involves safeguarding children against violence, harm and threats.

Mr. Asare observed that, traditionally, child upbringing was a collective responsibility shared by parents, the extended family, society and the church. However, he noted that this responsibility has increasingly shifted towards parents, leaving other stakeholders on the fringes and making the task more challenging.

Referring to Psalm 127:5, he reminded participants that children are gifts from God and urged parents to take their responsibility for their proper care and development seriously.

Beyond providing basic needs, Mr. Asare highlighted physical care as a fundamental aspect of child upbringing. He explained that parents must provide children with food, clothing, shelter, medical care and safety. He further stressed that these provisions are not merely parental obligations but also form part of children's fundamental rights under the laws of Ghana, warning that neglecting such responsibilities could attract legal consequences.

In addition to physical care, he emphasized the importance of supporting children's cognitive and emotional development. According to him, parents must encourage learning, prepare children for school, and help them develop the ability to understand and regulate their emotions. He added that building trust between parents and children is essential to achieving these goals.

Furthermore, Mr. Asare underscored the role of parents in transmitting moral values, cultural practices, traditions and a sense of community responsibility to their children. These values, he explained, include trustworthiness, respect, faithfulness, greeting elders appropriately, and using the right hand when greeting others.

Meanwhile, Madam Mercy Osei, President of the Susana Wesley Group, called on institutions responsible for child protection to strengthen their efforts and collaborate with parents to promote children's welfare and development.

She particularly highlighted the need for relevant institutions, including the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), to address cases of child neglect and non-maintenance of children promptly.

In conclusion, Mr. Asare reiterated that effective communication and mutual trust must form the foundation of successful child upbringing. He encouraged parents to foster open communication with their children while providing the guidance, care and protection necessary for their growth and development.

The educational engagement formed part of the NCCE's efforts to promote public awareness of child protection and encourage responsible parenting and the collective safeguarding of children's rights.