Women Organize Child Care In Ghana

"No man is quick enough to enjoy life to the full."— Spanish proverb

WOMEN ORGANIZE CHILD CARE IN GHANA

A story of how women in Ghana demonstrated leadership in the early childhood arena was included in Early Childhood Counts: A Programming Guide on Early Childhood Care for Development by Judith Evans (published by the World Bank and distributed by the Consultative Group at www.ecdgroup.com). The story:

"The women involved in buying and selling in the Malata marketplace were interested in starting a child care program for their children, to keep them safe and to free the women to conduct their business. They approached the Accra City Council, which agreed to fund the program. A committee was formed, consisting of members of the Women's Association, the City Council, the Department of Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Water and Sewage. A building near the market was refurbished...

"Mothers of infants were encouraged to come to the center to breastfeed them. Children were provided with a morning snack and a full lunch. To enter the program children had to have a physical examination and appropriate immunizations. Once a month a public health nurse inspected the facilities, provided immunizations as needed, and completed children's medical charts."