“Fail Our Children Today, Fail Ghana Tomorrow” – VP Opoku-Agyemang Sounds Alarm

Vice President Professor Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has warned that Ghana’s long-term development hinges on how well the country protects and invests in its children and young people.

Speaking at a Strategic Planning Retreat on Thursday, January 28, 2026, organised by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) in collaboration with UNICEF Ghana, she said prioritising children is both a moral duty and a strategic investment for sustainable growth.

The retreat was held under the theme: “Planning Together for a Better Future for Children and Adolescents in Ghana.”

“If we fail our children today, we fail Ghana tomorrow,” she emphasised, urging that the success of such discussions should be measured by concrete actions, not dialogue alone.

The event brought together key stakeholders across sectors to coordinate national efforts aimed at safeguarding the welfare and future of Ghana’s children.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang highlighted that policy areas such as education, social protection, justice, sanitation, economic management, climate resilience, and governance all directly impact children’s lives. She noted that child poverty and deprivation remain pressing challenges, requiring deliberate and coordinated interventions.

The Vice President cited ongoing government reforms, including:

• Care Reform Roadmap – prioritising safe, family-based care over institutionalisation

• Digital Social Services Initiative – enhancing child protection through improved coordination and accountability

• Coordinated social service delivery, adolescent safe spaces, community prevention initiatives, and the Ghana Against Child Abuse campaign

She also stressed the importance of the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy, noting that investing in children aged zero to eight is crucial to Ghana’s long-term development and demographic dividend.

“Ghana’s future growth depends on how well we protect and invest in our children today,” she said, calling for stronger collaboration among government, civil society, the private sector, development partners, and communities.

The Vice President emphasized the need for robust tracking systems and accountability mechanisms, stressing that sustained and coordinated action is key to removing barriers facing children and building a more equitable Ghana.