World Day Against Child Labor: 'Poverty and inequality continue to drive menace' — CHRAJ

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called on government and stakeholders to step up efforts to identify, protect and rehabilitate children engaged in child labour across the country.

The Commission said child labour continues to deprive many children of their rights to education, protection, development and a safe childhood, making it one of the most pressing child rights challenges in Ghana and around the world.

CHRAJ made the call in a statement issued on Friday, June 12, to mark the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour, which is being observed under the theme, "Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults."

The Commission noted that child labour goes beyond a social and economic problem and remains a serious violation of children's rights as guaranteed under Ghanaian and international laws.

According to CHRAJ, recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service shows that more than 1.1 million children aged between 5 and 17 years were engaged in economic activity in 2023, with over 458,000 of them not attending school.

"The statistics on child labour are not merely indicators of a social problem; they represent children whose rights to education, protection, and development are being undermined," the statement read in part.

The Commission stressed that eliminating child labour requires addressing the root causes that force children into work, including poverty, inequality, inadequate social protection and barriers to quality education.

It noted that Ghana's commitments under the Fourth Cycle Universal Periodic Review require sustained efforts to reduce poverty, expand social protection and improve access to education for vulnerable children.

The Commission emphasised that every child removed from labour and returned to school represents a restored childhood and a brighter future, urging all stakeholders to renew their commitment to ending child labour in all its forms.