Stakeholders in the health and education sectors have called for urgent national action to address the growing burden of preventable childhood injuries, following the launch of the Child Health and Safety Organisation (CHSO) in Accra.
The initiative, unveiled at the forecourt of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital in Ridge, on Tuesday, is aimed at promoting early safety education, raising awareness and reducing avoidable injuries among children.
Founder of CHSO, Samuel Frimpong, said the organisation was inspired by a personal experience involving his son, which exposed critical gaps in child safety awareness within homes and communities.
“Today is not just a launch, it is a testimony,” he told participants. “Sometimes one child’s story becomes a call to protect thousands.”
He recounted how a traumatic incident involving his son shifted his perspective on safety, despite his nearly two decades of experience in occupational health and safety.
“In that moment, my professional experience did not matter. All that mattered was one question – Could this have been prevented?” he said.
Mr. Frimpong noted that his time at the hospital revealed a troubling pattern of children being admitted with injuries that were largely preventable.
“Almost every day, new children were brought in, some crying in pain, others fighting for their lives. Many of these cases could have been avoided,” he said.
Citing global estimates, he said nearly one million children die annually from preventable injuries, while millions more suffer long-term consequences from burns, falls, drowning, poisoning and road traffic incidents.
He stressed the need to prioritise safety education alongside traditional academic learning.
“We teach children mathematics, science and language, but how often do we teach them safety?” he asked.
As part of its interventions, CHSO will focus on Research, Education, Advocacy and Partnerships (REAP), working with schools, healthcare institutions and communities to promote child safety.
A key component of the initiative is “The Safety Adventures of Bibi”, a 12-part children’s book series designed to teach safety lessons through storytelling.
“Children learn best through stories. If one story can help one child avoid injury, then this mission is worth it,” Mr. Frimpong said.
Medical Director of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Dr. Zakaria Adams, described the initiative as timely, noting that the facility regularly treats children with injuries that could have been prevented.
“A lot of the injuries we see occur at home. Children drink harmful substances like kerosene or get burned during everyday activities,” he said.
He added that recurring cases of similar injuries point to a lack of awareness among caregivers.
“You cannot prevent what you do not know. Awareness is critical if we are to reduce these cases,” Dr. Adams emphasised.
He also highlighted the economic and emotional toll on families, explaining that caregivers often have to suspend work to care for injured children, placing additional strain on households and the healthcare system.
“This becomes a burden not just for families, but for the hospital and the nation,” he said.
Dr. Adams assured that the hospital would provide technical support to CHSO through its health promotion unit and encouraged other health facilities to partner the organisation.
He further called on policymakers and local authorities to prioritise child safety in infrastructure planning.
The initiative also promotes the “Safety Sense” framework – STOP, LOOK, THINK, ASK – as a practical guide to help children identify and avoid danger.
Organisers expressed hope that sustained collaboration and public education will significantly reduce preventable injuries among children.
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