Child Labour, still a social threat - Mr Kwakwah

Aburaso (Ash), June 20, GNA - Mr Thomas Kwakwah, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Ahafo-Ano South of the Ashanti Region, has stated that child labour still poses a social threat to the economy. He noted that, victims of child labour were normally subjected to hazardous work, which affected their health and education resulting in social problems.

Mr Kwakwah was speaking at an occasion to mark the World Day against Child Labour at Aburaso in the Ahafo-Ano South District on Thursday. The function attended by school children, parents, traditional rulers, Assembly members and heads of departments was under theme: "Give Girls Chance: End Child Labour".

Mr Kwakwah said the Ghana Child Labour Survey (GCLS) has shown that an estimated 1,128,072 children were engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishing in the country. He said the government was committed to developing social policies to address worst forms of child labour to enable them attend schools and enjoy their rights.

Mr Kwakwah added that, the government was in the process of finalizing a seven year comprehensive National Plan of Action (NPA) from 2009 to 2015 to check the menace. He urged assembly members, traditional rulers and community leaders to ensure that people, who engaged in such practice to stop.

Madam Abena Gyamfuaa, the District Girl Child Education Programme Officer also said abused children were mostly ignorant on issues, making them prone and susceptible to social vices such as teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, alcoholism and others. She, therefore, advised parents to give quality education to their children especially girls.