Child Protection Committee in Kotingli Holds Community Town Hall Meeting

On Monday, February 24, 2025, CEDEPA was invited by the Child Protection Committee (CPC) of the Kotingli Community to a Town Hall meeting at the Chief’s Palace. We attended the meeting with the Head Community Development at the Department of Social Welfare(DSW) of the Tamale Metro Assembly, because the Tamale Metro DSW has jurisdiction over the Kotingli Community. When we arrived at the meeting at Kotingli, we were surprised to meet four members of the Child Protection Committee(CPC) of Zangbalun, who had come to share their knowledge and experiences with their colleague CPC members at Kotingli. The CPC members disclosed that during the Stakeholders Meeting to launch the project Phase 2, the CPC members took the decision to network among themselves and support each other with knowledge and experiences in their work. The Kotingli Town Hall meeting was very successful. It brought together the Chief of the community and his elders, the Teachers of the Kotingli Primary and Junior High School as well as parents and guardians. At the meeting, the Chief disclosed that he has further selected additional 16 member Taskforce to support the 9 members of the CPC. The Chief also came out with a number of specific bye-laws to tame the growing indiscipline among children in the community, including the following:

‎1. All entertainment shows in the community must close by 10pm

‎2. Children of school going age are not allowed to operate ghettoses in the community, especially in the night.

‎3. Children of school going age should not be seen roaming aimlessly after 10pm

‎4. Parents of incalcitrant children shall be summoned before the palace to answer questions.

‎5. The 16 member Taskforce and the 9 CPC members are to strictly enforce the bye-laws and report to the palace regularly.

‎This is the true definition of community empowerment and ownership.