UNICEF under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), has organised a national art competition in Kumasi to mark the 20th anniversary celebration of the CRC.
About 30 participants selected from Basic and Junior High Schools (JHS) in the ten regions of Ghana took part in the competition.
The competition sponsored by United Nation International Cultural Education Fund (UNICEF), was to explain to the world, rights of children and the responsibilities of stakeholders such as government, parents, guardians and teachers.
Mr Rene Van Dongen, the Deputy Country Representative of UNICEF, said the CRC is the foundation UNICEF's activities in Ghana and 190 other countries in the World. H e said it was heart warming to know that Ghana was the first country in the World to ratify the convention in 1990.
Mr Dongen was happy about the high enrolment in schools in the country especially with many girls and that more children now had access to water than 20 years ago whilst number of children, who die before the age of five, had also decreased by 30 per cent.
He explained that the art competition was a good example of how children in Ghana experienced their rights and it also showed the idea about being responsible and active participants.
The competition, he said, was an opportunity for UNICEF to renew its commitment to support children to voice their concerns and share their views and to assist the government and other partners to fulfil their responsibilities.
Mr Stephen Adu, an Assistant Director of Education, advised the participants to share the knowledge acquired with their colleagues in their various regions.
At the end of the competition, Master Prosper Banitsi from Achimota Basic School in Accra came first with 77 points whilst Master Frimpong Dua Kwabena from Prempeh College JHS placed second with 76 points.
The third position went to Master Emmanuel Dartey Boahen of the Sacred Heart Basic School in Sunyani.
All the 30 participating schools were presented with certificates whilst the first to twelve had a special package of books, pencils and other teaching materials.
