The launch was on the theme: “Building Strategic Intersectoral Coalition to Advance Early Childhood Development.”

The EPIC Project is in collaboration with the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development Ghana, the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and the University College London.

The project is an initiative to strengthen and institutionalize collaborations among key sectors such as health, education, social protection, and local governance to ensure that every child in Ghana thrive, especially in the critical early years of zero to eight.

Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection in an address said a child’s development was modelled not only on health and education, but also by nutrition, sanitation, social protection, and even birth registration systems.

She said in view of that, no single ministry or agency could tackle it alone hence the need to build strategic coalitions bringing together ministries, departments, and agencies; municipal, metropolitan and district assemblies, civil society, faith-based organizations, academia, and the private sector to achieve the desired result.

She said while Ghana had made commendable progress in advancing child rights, protection, and welfare, there were still more to be done in order not to leave any child behind, especially during their formative years that served as foundation for their development into healthy adults.

“The early years of a child’s life are too critical to be left unattended to. They shape not only the child’s destiny, but also the future of our nation. If we fail our children today, we compromise Ghana’s tomorrow,” Dr Lartey stated.

She said the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) revealed on 2017/18 that 42.7 per cent of children were developmentally on track in literacy and numeracy, 93.6 per cent in physical development, 68.2 per cent in social and emotional development and 82.3 per cent in learning.

“These statistics show that there is more work for us to achieve the desired results,” she noted.

The Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Krowor in Accra said the work did not rest on government alone and that it required commitment from every sector, community, and every family.

“Early childhood development must become a true national priority embedded in our policies, our budgets, and most importantly, our collective hearts,” she stated.

Dr Lartey said, “As we celebrate our children today, let us also remember this simple truth, investing in our children is investing in Ghana’s future.”

She added, “Every cedi spent on a child’s health, education, and protection yields immeasurable returns for the child, for the family, and for our country.”
She expressed gratitude to all partners and stakeholders for their support, saying, “Your presence is a proof that together, we can create a brighter future for every Ghanaian child.”

“May this launch mark the beginning of a lasting transformation one that ensures every child in Ghana grows up healthy, educated, protected, and empowered.

“Let us move from fragmented efforts to unified strategies and let Ghana be a model for how intersectoral coalitions can transform childhood into a launchpad for lifelong success,” she concluded.

Dr Afisah Zakariah, the Chief Director of MoGCSP in a welcoming address, urged stakeholders to renew their dedication to placing the rights and well-being of children at the heart of their policies, programmes, and daily actions.