Veteran Ghanaian actress Irene Opare urged parents, particularly mothers, to keep a closer eye on their children and prioritise safety despite the pressures of work and daily life. The actress made the appeal in a video posted on social media after an encounter with three children she saw while driving.
Opare spotted a boy, estimated to be about seven years old, walking along the roadside with two younger children aged around two or three. She suspected the older child had gone to pick up the younger ones from school and was taking them home, a scenario that raised immediate concerns for her because of the heavy traffic and vehicles using the road.
She parked her car and approached the children to find out where they were headed. Although she was worried about their safety, Opare explained she could not simply offer them a lift because of the risks involved in giving a stranger’s children a ride.
The incident prompted the actress to reflect on the need for parents to be more involved in their children’s lives, even as they work hard to provide for their families. She acknowledged that the economic situation requires parents to hustle but stressed that the responsibility to keep children safe should not be overlooked.
Opare encouraged parents to make time to check on their children before leaving for work and, where possible, arrange for younger children to be picked up from school by responsible adults. “Please, let’s keep an eye on our children, parents, I beg you. If you can’t pick them up, get someone older to do so. Please, let’s do this,” she appealed.
