Child labour symposium ends in Accra

A three-day symposium on the West Africa Regional Plan to Eliminate Child Labour has ended in Accra.

The event, organised jointly by the Economic Community of West States (ECOWAS) and the International Labour Organisation, was to share the experience of countries as they implement their policy interventions in tackling child labour.

It was also to discuss next steps and set priorities for accelerating progress, using the mechanisms contained with the Regional Action Plan.

The Action Plan adopted by the ECOWAS Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs in December 2012, is a framework for intervention in each country, supplemented by supportive mechanisms of the ECOWAS Commission to promote collaboration between Member States.

Nii Armah Ashitey, Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, said the rescue of children from hazardous work and worst forms of child labour could transform them from future miscreants into knowledgeable, responsible and capable leaders.

“It is our responsibility to come out with pragmatic actions to save these children,” he said.

Nii Ashitey said as a sign of commitment to eradicate the menace, Ghana has volunteered to be peer reviewed on matters of child labour by other ECOWAS countries.

He suggested that the best solution to tackle the menace of child labour was through co-operation, co-ordination and collaboration with relevant institutions at both the national and international levels.

Nii Ashitey said in Ghana, it was crucial to collaborate with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and communities, to find a lasting solution to the problem.

The Sector Minister said the government was determined to expose NGOs whose motive was just to profit from the predicament of the unfortunate children.

“Such NGOs will be made to face the full rigors of the law to serve as a deterrent to those who may want to take advantage of the situation,” he said.

The three-day event brought together 60 senior officials responsible for tackling child labour including those from government, Unions and employers’ organisations from all the 15 Member States.