Days 3 and 4: Building a Future Children Want

Having learnt how Parliament works and the roles involved in parliamentary proceedings, the children moved into a more practical stage of the EPIC Child Parliament programme on Days 3 and 4. The focus shifted to the challenges facing children and communities in Greater Accra, the plans being made to address them, and the solutions children would like to see.

The children discussed some of the problems affecting their communities and explored how these challenges can influence children’s ability to live, learn, play and thrive. They also learnt about plans for Greater Accra and considered how these plans connect to the needs and experiences of children.

A key part of the sessions was BMAF — Build Me A Future, a creative activity that gave the children the opportunity to imagine and physically create the kind of communities they would want to live in.

Working with their hands, the children developed different projects based on issues they considered important to their communities. Their ideas covered a range of areas, including waste segregation and improved sanitation, among other solutions for creating healthier and more child-friendly communities.

BMAF gave the children an opportunity to move beyond simply identifying problems. They were encouraged to think about what a better future could look like and what practical solutions could help build it. Their creations reflected the different ways children understand the challenges around them and the changes they would like to see.

The discussions also helped the children prepare for the Child Parliament, where they will have the opportunity to raise issues concerning children, discuss possible solutions and share their perspectives.

As preparations continued, the children began rehearsing their roles and the different parts they would play on the day of the Child Parliament. They practised how they would participate in the proceedings, present their issues, engage in discussions and contribute to the parliamentary process.

Days 3 and 4 therefore brought together learning, creativity and participation. The children were not only learning about the problems around them, but were also being encouraged to think critically about solutions and prepare to use their voices in a space designed to listen to them.

From building their own ideas for the future through BMAF to rehearsing for the Child Parliament, the children were taking another step towards becoming active participants in conversations about the communities they live in and the future they want to see.