Health and social welfare professionals are calling for urgent community action to address child abuse, emphasizing its severe impact on children’s mental health and development.
The call was made at a series of durbars held in Donyina and Achinakrom in the Ejisu Municipality, organized by SOS Children’s Villages to mark Mental Health Month.
Mental Health Officer at Ejisu Government Hospital, Mr. Bright Adarkwa Yiadom, warned that abusive environments could cause lasting psychological damage to children, often resulting in behavioral and emotional disorders. “Changes in mood, excessive anger, sadness, or social withdrawal must be seen as red flags and treated as health concerns,” he stressed.
Speaking under the theme, “Protect Every Child, Promote Rights, End Abuse,” Mr. Yiadom urged parents and guardians to replace harsh discipline with empathy, vigilance, and emotional support.
Deputy Director at the Ejisu Municipal Social Welfare Department, Mr. Boahen Abdul Rahman, called for increased use of formal support systems such as the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) to combat rising cases of child abuse.
Mr. Joseph Yane, Family Strengthening Project Coordinator with SOS Children’s Villages, noted that the durbars were part of a broader effort to educate communities on children’s rights and create a nurturing environment for their growth. He said the organisation had been running several child-focused initiatives to help families build resilience and better care structures.
The event brought together traditional leaders, school heads, children, and mental health practitioners, all aligning on a common message: child abuse must be treated as a public health and human rights emergency.
