GNEC Statement Early Childhood Care And Education Now!

Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) is a network of Civil Society Organisations that works to promote access to free quality basic education for all children in Ghana. Global Action week is a Global Campaign for Education (GCE) initiative which networks organisations worldwide to advocate for quality and equal education for all. It is a major annual activity celebrated and organized by GNECC, a member of GCE together with partners. The Global Action Week (GAW) 2012 is being celebrated in Ghana with the slogan, �Rights from the Start: Early Childhood Care and Education Now!� Care and education in early childhood (0-8 years) is enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, The Children�s Act (1998) and the 2004 Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Policy, all of which demonstrate Ghana�s commitment to the promotion of the physical, mental and social well-being of the Ghanaian child. Early childhood is a critical period in a person�s life. Appropriate provision and actions targeted on children in their early years ensures they have the best foundation for growth, development and learning when they start primary school and beyond, including the acquisition of languages and early literacy. The early childhood sector in Ghana faces many challenges including a lack of trained teachers, poor infrastructure, poorly developed teaching & learning materials and issues regarding the implementation of language policy amongst others. The campaign focus on early childhood care and education in Ghana is championed to promote the rights of the very young and most vulnerable to health, well being, quality care and education and to raise awareness of the importance of the early years to a child�s growth and achievement in later life. Interventions in early childhood lead to a lifetime of gains and break the cycle of inequality that prevails in the lives of so many children and their families as research shows that programmes which support disadvantaged children and their families are particularly beneficial. Some early childhood initiatives include programmes to support parents and care-givers, developing stimulating environments and providing nutrition and health care. This year�s Global Action Week, Ghana as a country is focusing on issues around QUALITY Early Childhood Care and Education. Learning starts from birth and is a lifelong process. Investing in the quality of Early Childhood Care and Education is the best investment in Ghana�s future. GNECC is committed to raising awareness of the importance of Early Childhood Care and Education and advocating for action to improve provision for all children in their early years.