Ghana Scouts Strengthen Safeguarding to Protect Young People
The Ghana Scout Association (GSA) is strengthening its safeguarding systems and leadership capacity to make its youth development programmes safer and more responsive to the needs of young people.
The move follows a three-day Safe from Harm Capacity Enhancement Training held in Accra for Youth Advisors and Regional Safe from Harm Coordinators from across the Association.
The training was organised under the Association’s Safe from Harm Capacity Enhancement Project, sponsored by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) through its Messengers of Peace programme.
The programme focused on equipping Scout leaders with practical knowledge to prevent abuse and other forms of harm, identify risks early and respond appropriately to incidents.
Putting safeguarding into practice
The training sought to strengthen safeguarding beyond policies and ensure that it becomes part of the day-to-day management of Scout activities.
Participants examined ways to improve safeguarding practices, strengthen leadership responsibility and create environments where young people can take part without fear of abuse, exploitation or discrimination.
The Association’s activities include camps, training programmes and community initiatives, making the capacity of leaders responsible for young people’s welfare important to maintaining safe programmes and public trust.
The GSA said the initiative forms part of its wider efforts to make safeguarding an integral part of the Scouting experience.
Building leadership capacity
The involvement of Youth Advisors and Regional Safe from Harm Coordinators is also intended to strengthen safeguarding at the regional and local levels.
The training was led by WOSM consultant Eric Mwenda Gitonga of Kenya.
He was supported by Prince Akese, National Safe from Harm Coordinator; Shaibu Fenteduah Fuseini, National Youth Programme Commissioner; and Holly Boadi, National Training Commissioner.
Also involved were Amina Alhassan Jerry Saliss, Chairperson of the National Youth Advisors, and Mohammed Ganiu Abdul, Vice Chairperson of the Youth Advisors.
Chief Commissioner of the Ghana Scout Association, Hilary Yaw Awusie, hosted the programme with Deputy Chief Commissioner Seth Kojo Eyiah.
The Association said the training is intended to help strengthen the people and systems needed to put its safeguarding policies into practice.
It said the next step is to apply the knowledge gained across its structures so that protection and respect remain central to Scouting activities in Ghana.
