Agyeman‑Rawlings calls for stronger child protection in armed conflict

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Ghana's Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, has called for stronger national systems and closer collaboration to prevent children from being recruited or used in armed conflict. During the opening of the Vancouver Principles Multi-Stakeholder Working Group's inaugural meeting in Accra, she stressed the importance of early identification of vulnerabilities and the establishment of mechanisms to prevent victimization.

The Vancouver Principles, launched by Canada in 2017, are a set of 17 political commitments aimed at protecting children in peacekeeping efforts and preventing their recruitment by armed forces and groups. Currently, 107 countries, including Ghana, have endorsed the Principles. Ghana, which has enjoyed relative peace since returning to democratic rule over three decades ago, still faces threats from violent extremism, terrorism, organized crime, and political instability, especially in the region where conflicts can spread beyond conflict zones.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings emphasized the need for an anticipatory approach, focusing on early warning systems, institutional capacity building, and the integration of child protection into security policies, training, and operations. She cautioned against complacency and the necessity for the Working Group to translate discussions into coordinated action with clear responsibilities, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms.