World Children’s Day: UNICEF unveils new mural designed by pupils

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ghana on Friday, November 19, unveiled a new mural designed by school children across Ghana.

Under the theme ‘A day of action for children, by children’, UNICEF made the unveiling as part of celebrations of this year’s World Children’s Day.

In 2020, UNICEF Ghana invited children to share their views through their own artwork, some of which were celebrated on a national scale.

This year, the platform invited school children to once again share their views of a reimagined Future through art.

These views were collated and shared with an artist who has interpreted them and created a mural illustrating a reimagined future.

The mural, which runs across the walls outside the UN compound and UNICEF House,symbolizes the dreams of children anddepicts the rights of children.

Before the unveiling of the mural, Child Parliamentarians reminded the participants of some of the most pressing concerns of children in Ghana. They also displayed placards with their rights, including the following: all children of school going age should be enrolled in school, every child should live in a clean environment; books and learning materials should be available in every school and laws protecting children against violence and abuse should be enforced.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of beneficiaries of the programme, a youth Parliamentary member, Melissa Obeng Kyere called on the government and agent of socialization to ensure that the right of children are safeguarded.

She also called for an active work on survival, protection, participation and development of children, by any means necessary. This, she said, could be achieved through listening to their suggestions.

Also present at the event was the Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Afisah Zakariah who said the sector will seek to develop policies to address the concerns of children.

She advised the future leaders to make good use of the rights given them and leave footprints wherever they are honoured to serve.

“This morning the Child Parliamentarians eloquently spoke about the situation and their needs. They submitted a Manifesto and called on the Government to take further action in several areas. I am particularly happy that the handprints of these children form the leaves of the beautiful tree of life on one of the panels of the mural”.

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, celebrating the children pledged to work with stakeholders and partners to provide children with their rights.

“Children and young people should be involved in decisions that affect them. The new mural being unveiled is a re-affirmation of the UN’s commitment to advocate for, invest in, and protect the rights and well-being of every child in Ghana. Together we vow to leave no child behind”.

The UNICEF Representative in Ghana, Anne-Claire Dufay, was accompanied by Laetitia, Speaker of the National Children’s Parliament, who is visually impaired. Laetitia’s dream is to become a journalist. Mrs Dufay said: “With her talents, skills and determination, Laetitia is a wonderful source of inspiration. Together, we are delighted to commemorate this year’s World Children’s Day.  We can all be champion of child rights and contribute to a better world for children”.

Below are the murals unveiled at the UNICEF House: