Accra: The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has advocated for a more inclusive and evidence-based approach to addressing the social and emotional development needs of children throughout Ghana. This call was made during the launch of the Pyramid Social and Emotional Learning Programme, held at the Mulan Resource Centre.
According to Ghana Web, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Mariam Kpakpa, emphasized the importance of placing children at the center of every intervention and policy decision. The initiative aims to improve social and emotional learning outcomes for children, though its success will hinge on how well it integrates with existing national systems and reaches vulnerable groups.
Dr. Kpakpa urged implementing partners to ensure that the new programme complements existing national education, early childhood development, child protection, and social welfare frameworks, rather than establishing parallel structures. She stressed the necessity of ongoing capacity-building for teachers, caregivers, and practitioners, pointing out that one-off sensitisation efforts are insufficient for changing professional practices.
Dr. Kpakpa highlighted the importance of inclusion, particularly for children with disabilities, special educational needs, and those from vulnerable households. She noted that behavioral challenges among children should not be automatically seen as misconduct but as potential signs of emotional distress or unmet support needs.
She also called for a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the programme's effectiveness, stating that stakeholders need to systematically measure outcomes to determine the intervention's success, where it works best, and any necessary adaptations within Ghana's context.
Dr. Kpakpa concluded by encouraging partners, including the Mulan Group and the Pyramid Model Consortium, to view the launch as the beginning of a long-term learning process. She called for collaboration with government institutions, educators, families, and communities, urging stakeholders to prioritize inclusion, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making, keeping the child at the center of every decision. The Pyramid Social and Emotional Learning Programme aims to enhance children's emotional, behavioral, and social development, providing them with essential skills for success in school and life.