Pilot Urban Project for Integrated Early Childhood Development - Ghana

The project strategy began with identification of existing informal minders in the marketplace as an entry point to reach out and sensitise single mothers, parents, and community members. As a first step, the NGOs involved in the project conducted a baseline survey to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of these minders, as well as a health screening of children in their care. In consultation with partners, the information gleaned from this survey will be used to identify what kinds of messages would be most effective in reaching caregivers and children of various ages. Information gaps, as well as the most effective channels and methods for communication, will then identified.

In the second phase of the project, the minders will receive training developed by the Ghana Education Service and NGO partners in proper child care, including issues of health, nutrition, intellectual stimulation, and protection. They will also receive material support intended to improve the conditions of their child-minding places. Parents will be sensitised in the beginning of the interventions; some of them will receive the same training as the minders so they can pass the messages on to fellow parents and other groups in the community. A growth monitoring team will be organised among the parents and minders to record children's development.

In the third phase, communication materials (like laminated flip charts and wall charts) carrying the messages identified in the first phase will be developed by visual artists. These materials will be designed for use by parents and minders. Pre-testing of these messages and materials will be conducted. The results of this assessment will inform the design of other interventions, like community dance and drama, interactive games, and demonstrations.

Early Childhood Development, Children, Rights, Health.

Konkomba market (also known as Sodom and Gomorrah) is one of the worst slum areas in Accra, the capital of Ghana. The ethnic composition of the population is mostly migrants from the deprived north of the country (Dagombas and the Konkombas), many of whom settled in the area in mid-1990's after a war broke out between these groups in the north.

Due to shortcomings in early childhood care and development, organisers claim that area children are frequently deprived of their rights to health, education, and protection. City authorities refuse to provide established ECD centres or other permanent basic services in anticipation of the large numbers of people who move out of the area. Insufficient sanitation and health care, these organisers contend, have led to occasional cholera outbreaks.

Child minders take care of a large number of children for a small fee while mothers work in the market. The conditions in these minding places are normally very poor: children lie idle; there are no toys, facilities, or education to support their intellectual and psychosocial development; hygiene is poor; and health care is lacking. As a result, many children suffer from malnutrition, skin rashes, eye infections, and coughs.

UNICEF has defined Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) as one of its global priorities. This work is guided by the pursuit of "infants and young children nurtured in a caring environment, physically healthy, mentally alert, socially stimulated and able to learn".