Child Labour In Ghana - 1.2 Million Work Under Harzadous Conditions

About 1.2 million children of school-age in Ghana are believed to be working under conditions that are hazardous to their health.

Mrs Stella Ofori, a Senior Labour Officer at the Child
Labour Unit of the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment announced this at a durbar on “Combating Child Labour Through Education” at Moree in the Central Region.

The durbar was organised by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) as part of activities marking this year's GNAT Week and World Teachers Day.

She explained that although the figure was quoted from the Ghana Child Labour Survey of 2003, very little had changed despite the numerous educational programmes on child labour.

Mrs Ofori noted that the effects of child labour impacted negatively on society. She therefore stressed the need for all to join the campaign against child labour.

She underlined that parents had a crucial role to play in reducing the figure by enrolling and helping their children to stay in school.

She advised children to be obedient and make sure that they attended school regularly.

The General Secretary of GNAT, Mrs Irene Duncan Adanusah, observed that the increasing incidence of child labour and child trafficking could threaten the success of the educational reform and the future development of the country.

She, therefore, impressed on those involved in child trafficking and forcing children into labour to desist from doing so, adding that children must be enrolled and kept in school to ensure the success of the new educational reform.

The Central Regional Chairman of GNAT, Mr Frank Eshun, also urged parents to educate their children to the highest level possible since education is the best inheritance they could bequeath to them.

Pupils from the Methodist and Catholic schools at Moree treated the gathering to cultural dances and sketches on child labour and trafficking respectively.