Some missing children refuse to speak about their families because they believe they have been abandoned, Dr. William Okyere, Administrator of Blissful Children’s Home, has revealed.
Speaking at the Tobinco Media Group’s Missing Persons Forum 2026 organised by the Samuel Amo Tobbin Foundation on Tuesday June 16, 2026, Dr. Okyere said many children who end up in shelters or care homes carry deep emotional scars from their experiences, making it difficult for authorities and caregivers to trace their relatives.
“Some children don’t want to speak up because they think their families have abandoned them,” he said.
According to him, the trauma experienced by missing children often affects their ability to reconnect with their families. He noted that some children are unable to remember basic personal details, including their names and dates of birth, further complicating efforts to reunite them with their loved ones.
“These children go through a lot of difficult and painful processes,” Dr. Okyere stated.
He explained that several factors contribute to children going missing, with hunger being one of the most common. Children from vulnerable backgrounds, he said, can easily be lured away by strangers offering food or other incentives.
“Hunger is one of the reasons why children go missing because someone can lure them with food,” he added.
Dr. Okyere called on parents to create loving and supportive homes where children feel safe, valued and comfortable returning whenever they face difficulties.
He urged parents to spend quality time with their children, know their whereabouts and ensure they have access to family contact information that can help them seek assistance when necessary.
The Blissful Children’s Home administrator also advised parents against disciplining children when they are overwhelmed by anger.
“Don’t beat your child when you’re too angry to control yourself; calm down first and discipline them later,” he cautioned.
Dr. Okyere further stressed the need for greater community involvement in addressing missing persons cases. He suggested that churches establish temporary shelters for missing persons and intensify public awareness campaigns, while commercial drivers remain vigilant and assist in identifying children who may be lost or in distress.
The Missing Persons Dialogue 2026 brought together stakeholders to discuss ways of preventing disappearances and improving support systems for missing persons and their families.
SOURCE: MAVIS FANTEVI
