African leaders have been called upon to treat children with respect, tolerance and fairness to ensure the implementation of the right of children on the continent.

They are also to involve children in decision-making to ensure pragmatic policies are formulated to address the numerous challenges young people face on the continent.

This was contained in a speech delivered by Miss Patricia Akuffo-Henaku, a student of DEKS Educational Institute on behalf of all African children at a stakeholders’ forum in Tema on Thursday to commemorate “African Child Day” that is slated for June 16.

The forum was held under the theme “Right to Participation: Let children be seen and heard” and was also used to deliberate on the ‘International Day against Child Labour’.

The programme was organized by the Abibimman Foundation, a Tema based NGO and sponsored by Ghana Trade and Livelihoods Coalition.

Miss Akuffo-Henaku said “we the children of Ghana and Africa request that governments implement a range of supportive policies to reap the benefits of the full potentials of its children and young people in the near future.”

“These policies should include effectively promoting gender equity, delivering improved education and providing sustainable affordable local food sources among others”.

She said African governments must provide schools with appropriate facilities to facilitate teaching and learning as well as for the practice of physical activities and sports.

Miss Akuffo-Henaku mentioned child trafficking, poverty, child labour, negative peer influence, drug abuse, harmful traditional and cultural practices as well as hunger, malnutrition and non participation in governance practices as other problems the African child faces.

On the December general election, she entreated all the political parties to ensure free and fair election as the outcome of the election would have implications for them.