A Regional Conference to disseminate Ghana’s “Plus 5” report on the World Fit for children project has been held in Ho. The five year progress report is on the implementation of the Declaration and plan of Action adopted by World Leaders at the UN Special Session on Children held in New York in May 2002. It is being supported by UNICEF through the Department of Children. Participants included District Assembly Officials, Civil Society Organizations, NGOs, the media and traditional authorities.  

The Head of Information Research and Advocacy Division Sylvester Kyei Gyamfi said it is regrettable that the current Maternal Mortality ratio in Ghana is not known.  He however disclosed that, institutional maternal mortality ratio which measures maternal deaths in health facilities has decreased from 197 per 100 thousand live births in 2005 to 187 in 2006.  He said 64% of children aged between 12 and 23 months received all the required vaccinations before their first birthday in 2006.  

The Volta Regional Director of the Department of Children, Edwin Gamadeku, called on stakeholders to support policies that address the development of children.  He also urged parents to ensure the proper upbringing of their wards.