Child Protection Fund needed to combat child labour in Ghana – Ernest Anim

Member of Parliament and Chairman of Parliament's Committee on Human Rights, Ernest Yaw Anim, has called for the establishment of a dedicated Child Protection Fund to strengthen Ghana's fight against child labour, child trafficking, and other forms of child abuse.

Speaking at the National Justice Conference in Accra on July 7, 2026, Anim said protecting children from labour exploitation is not only vital for the well-being of affected children but also for the future of Ghana and humanity as a whole.

"The protection of children against labour exploitation is essential to the future of our society, our nation, and our shared humanity," he said.

The parliamentarian noted that child labour remains a significant challenge in Ghana despite ongoing interventions.

He cited recent reports indicating that more than 1.1 million children between the ages of five and 17 are engaged in economic activities, with more than 458,000 of them out of school as a result.

According to him, many of these children are involved in hazardous work, including mining, fishing, domestic labour, and other dangerous occupations.

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Anim also highlighted findings from the 2021 Ghana Through the Lens of Children survey conducted by Child Rights International, which interviewed 11,288 children aged between 12 and 17.

While 93 percent of respondents said they were proud to be Ghanaians, 55 percent expressed a desire to leave the country by 2040 in search of better employment opportunities, quality education, and improved living conditions.

The survey further revealed that unemployment was the greatest concern for 66 percent of the children surveyed, followed by poverty (42 percent), corruption (36 percent), and the growing number of orphans and street children (36 percent).

Additionally, 77 percent of respondents urged the government to prioritise job creation, while 50 percent called for greater investment in quality education and social protection.

PAH/MA

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