16 children rescued from forced labour

Sixteen children from forced labour in communities along the Volta Lake have been rescued by Challenging Heights, a child-centered non-governmental organization (NGO).

A statement signed by James Kofi Annan, President of the NGO, explained that 11 boys and five girls between seven and 14 years old were among those who were rescued.

Challenging Heights has so far saved 23 children this year and more that 1,000 children since the NGO was established in 2003.

The statement stated that the NGO intended to rescue about 70 children identified in Winneba, Senya, and Mfantseman areas in the Central Region of Ghana.

It said all the liberated children and their families will receive support for at least one year, through education and income generating programs so that they could live meaningfully lifestyles.

The NGO has established 35 community child protection committees in six districts in the Central, Brong Ahafo, and Northern regions to help prevent child abuse and human trafficking

It said: “Working in more than 40 communities, the organization has so far supported nearly 10,000 children, some of whom who have been assisted to go to school”.

The NGO has also established a modern 65-capacity child trafficking survivors recovery center, and supported over 1,000 women to undertake various income generating ventures.