The Administrator of Blissful Children’s Home, Dr. William Okyere has identified hunger as one of the key factors contributing to child disappearances, warning that children who lack access to basic necessities are often vulnerable to exploitation.
Speaking at Tobinco Media Group’s Missing Persons Forum 2026 organised by the Samuel Amo Tobbin Foundation on Tuesday June 16, 2026, Dr. Okyere said hunger can push children into dangerous situations, making it easier for unscrupulous individuals to lure them away with promises of food and care.
According to him, children from disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly at risk when their immediate needs are not met. He stressed that addressing child hunger should form part of broader efforts to reduce the number of missing children and protect vulnerable members of society.
Dr. Okyere noted that the challenges faced by missing children do not end once they are found. Many of the children who are rescued and taken into care homes, he said, arrive with deep emotional and psychological trauma resulting from their experiences.
He revealed that some of the children are unable to remember basic personal information, including their names and dates of birth, making it difficult for caregivers and authorities to trace their families and facilitate reunification.
The Blissful Children’s Home administrator further disclosed that some children are reluctant to speak about their families because they believe they have been abandoned. This, he explained, often complicates efforts by social welfare officers and caregivers to gather information that could help reconnect them with their relatives.
Dr. Okyere called on parents and guardians to pay closer attention to the welfare of their children and ensure their basic needs are adequately met. He also encouraged parents to spend quality time with their children and create loving home environments where children feel safe, valued and supported.
He emphasized that stronger family bonds, coupled with community support, can play a significant role in preventing child disappearances and reducing children’s vulnerability to exploitation.
The Missing Persons Forum 2026 brought together representatives from security agencies, child protection organisations, community leaders, religious groups and members of the public to discuss the causes of missing persons cases and explore practical solutions for protecting vulnerable children and reuniting missing persons with their families.
Source: Mavis Fantevi